Russell Southwood is the Chief Executive, Balancing Act, a consultancy and research company specialising in telecoms, Internet and broadcast in Africa. His consultancy work has included: identifying the number of base stations and towers used by Africa’s mobile operators and the likely growth over the next 3-5 years; research on the deployment of WiMAX-relevant spectrum in selected African countries; an appraisal of an investment in a wireless broadband operator; a study on Open Access models for African fibre roll-out; data pricing studies for a range of operators and work with low-cost base station vendors. He has a particular interest in new business models that deliver access in Africa’s rural areas.