2006 - Africa Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Western Region "

"     

Published ：2006-2-14 

Hard copy price： RMB 6500.00

Single user PDF copy price： RMB 5500.00

Pages：149

Tables and figures：82

Edition：5th

This report provides information on Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. Each country has its own chapter and covers the following subjects.

Key Statistics

Market Overview

Regulatory Environment

Major Players

Infrastructure

Fixed network Services

Data

Internet

Broadband

Convergence

Mobile Communications

Broadcasting"  Telecoms & Computing Annual Research     pages      149  "

The countries in this group include some of Africa’s most liberalised telecommunications markets. Ghana led the way when it privatised its national operator as early as 1995, with Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal following in 1997 where France Telecom acquired stakes. Privatisation is on the agenda of most other countries in the region for the near future. With hundreds of service providers, including a second national operator (SNO), Nigeria is one of the continent’s largest and fastest growing markets and in the process of privatising its national telco, Nitel. A SNO licence will be auctioned in Senegal in 2006. All countries in this group have access to high-speed transmission capacity on fibre optic submarine cable networks linking them with each other and the rest of the world. Nevertheless, market penetration rates in most of them are below the African average, and extremely low in some cases. 15 countries in the region have agreed on a common regulatory framework for their national information technology and communications (ICT) markets, marking a significant step forward in seeking to create a single, harmonised market based on the European Union (EU) model. The new guidelines favour a market-based approach to the provision of communications services and are designed to spur investment and development in the West African region.

Despite having an old style posts and telecommunications entity and no independent regulator, Benin has four private mobile networks whose combined connections exceed fixed lines by around 7:1. While the country’s fixed-line infrastructure is completely digital, it serves only 1% of the population which has severely hindered adoption of the Internet. Several wireless broadband services have been launched, and the national telco has started wholesaling its ADSL broadband service. Moving into 2006, other envisaged sector changes include the unbundling of the national operator and privatisation of the resultant entity charged with provision of basic telecom services.

Despite ranking among the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso’s telecom operator re-invests in the network and has registered steady growth in its teledensity which accelerated sharply in 2004 following the deployment of fixed-wireless systems. Despite being landlocked, the country is linked to the SAT-3 submarine cable system via interconnections with four neighbouring countries. Mobile telephony has experienced outstanding growth in the past few years, with subscribers to the three digital networks outnumbering fixed lines in the country by more than 6:1. Moving into 2006, the telecom sector promises new opportunities for investment and network development. The incumbent telco’s monopoly came to an end in 2005 and the government plans its privatisation, the licensing of several new international gateway operators, rural operators and possibly a VoIP operator.

A political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire that turned into a civil war in 2002 has disrupted the country’s economy, but most segments of the telecommunications market continued to flourish. Three mobile operators were licensed in 1996, and despite the fact that one of them ceased operations in 2004, growth continued and there are now more than eight times as many mobile subscribers than fixed lines. Internet usage has experienced a major upswing, but owing to the high cost of access and poor availability of fixed-line infrastructure, Internet penetration remains low. The incumbent telco’s monopoly ended in 2004, a year of economic recovery for the country, paving the way for new players to enter the market.

Gambia has had a 100% digital network since 1995, but fixed-line penetration has remained low at less than 3%, which in turn has hindered Internet usage. This is expected to change with ambitious plans by Gamtel, the still government-owned incumbent telco, to multiply teledensity by 2008, making extensive use of wireless systems. The country’s two mobile networks – operated by Gamtel and Africell Gambia – together had over 220,000 subscribers in early 2006, representing a penetration rate of more than 14%, slightly above the African average. The recent award of Gambia’s second international licence is expected to lead to increased competition and lower prices.

Ghana is one of only a few African countries with a vastly liberalised telecom market. Annual growth has been impressive, notably in the mobile sector where four networks are competing for customers and the number of connections exceeds fixed lines by around 7:1. However, at a combined teledensity of little more than 10% and an Internet user penetration of less than 2%, enormous further potential exists. Rapid growth in the Internet sector in recent years is set to accelerate, driven by key developments expected in 2006 such as the licensing of several additional fixed-line operators, full legalisation of VoIP telephony and implementation of Broadband over Powerlines (BPL, PLC). The government is committed to continuing the privatisation of Ghana Telecom as well as the fibre network of the country’s electricity company, and the ailing SNO Westel, which also holds a mobile licence, will be up for sale soon.

Nigeria is one of the biggest and fastest growing telecom markets in Africa, attracting huge amounts of foreign investment, and is yet standing at very low levels of market penetration. The mobile sector, shared by four operators, has seen triple-digit growth rates every single year since competition was introduced in 2001. A second national operator (SNO) and four national long-distance operators have been licensed as well as over 200 other companies providing virtually all kinds of telecom and value-added services. The Internet sector has been hindered by the country’s underdeveloped and unreliable fixed-line infrastructure, but this is changing as competition intensifies and new technologies are able to deliver wireless broadband access. The current deployment of the country’s first Next Generation Networks (NGN) will drive further convergence of voice, data and video/TV, enabling the provision of triple-play services that will ultimately also involve the country’s already competitive broadcasting sector. Major events expected in 2006 include the possible conclusion of the stalled privatisation of Nitel, the incumbent telco, and a new unified licensing regime designed to increase competition between fixed and mobile network operators.

Senegal has developed one of Africa’s most extensive and modern telecommunications infrastructures. Liberalisation began in 1997 with the partial privatisation of the national operator Sonatel. The incumbent’s monopoly officially ended in 2004, and a second national operator (SNO) and third mobile operator are likely to be licensed in 2006. Mobile services were introduced in 1996 and competition in that sub-sector in 1999. Since the introduction of competition, the number of mobile subscribers has grown dramatically, with cellular lines now representing more than 85% of all telephone lines. Internet usage has doubled every year since 2003 when ADSL services were introduced. Overall market penetration is still low, resulting in attractive opportunities for new entrants."      "

1.    BENIN

1.1   Key statistics

1.2   Telecommunications market

1.2.1       Overview of Benin’s telecom market

1.3   Regulatory environment

1.3.1       Overview

1.3.2       West African common regulatory framework 2005

1.4   Telecommunications infrastructure

1.4.1       National telecom network

1.4.2       International infrastructure

1.5   Broadband and Internet market

1.5.1       Overview of the Internet in Benin

1.5.2       Internet access locations

1.5.3       Benin’s ISP market

1.5.4       Broadband market

1.5.5       VoIP

1.6   Mobile communications

1.6.1       Overview of Benin’s mobile market

1.6.2       Major mobile operators

1.6.3       Satellite mobile

1.7   Broadcasting market

1.7.1       Television broadcasting

2.    BURKINA FASO

2.1   Key statistics

2.2   Telecommunications market

2.2.1       Overview of Burkina Faso’s telecom market

2.3   Regulatory environment

2.3.1       Historic background

2.3.2       Regulatory authority

2.3.3       NICI development plan

2.3.4       West African common regulatory framework 2005

2.3.5       Market liberalisation

2.3.6       Privatisation of Onatel

2.4   Telecommunications infrastructure

2.4.1       National telecom network

2.4.2       International infrastructure

2.5   Internet market

2.5.1       Overview of the Internet in Burkina Faso

2.5.2       Internet projects

2.5.3       Burkina Faso’s ISP market

2.6   Mobile communications

2.6.1       Overview of Burkina Faso’s mobile market

2.6.2       Major mobile operators

2.7   Broadcasting market

2.7.1       Introduction

2.7.2       Free-to-air TV

2.7.3       Satellite TV

3.    CÔTE D’IVOIRE

3.1   Key statistics

3.2   Telecommunications market

3.2.1       Overview of Côte d’Ivoire’s telecom market

3.3   Regulatory environment

3.3.1       Telecom sector liberalisation

3.3.2       West African common regulatory framework 2005

3.3.3       Regulatory authorities

3.3.4       Privatisation of CI-Telecom

3.4   Fixed network operators in Côte d’Ivoire

3.4.1       CI-Telecom

3.5   Telecommunications infrastructure

3.5.1       National telecom network

3.5.2       International infrastructure

3.6   Broadband and Internet market

3.6.1       Overview of the Internet in Côte d’Ivoire

3.6.2       USAID Leland project

3.6.3       Internet access locations

3.6.4       ISP market

3.6.5       Major ISPs

3.6.6       Internet via satellite

3.6.7       Broadband

3.6.8       VoIP

3.6.9       E-commerce

3.7   Mobile communications

3.7.1       Mobile market overview

3.7.2       Major mobile operators

3.8   Broadcasting market

3.8.1       Regulatory overview

3.8.2       Free to air TV

3.8.3       Pay TV

3.8.4       Satellite TV

4.    GAMBIA

4.1   Key statistics

4.2   Telecommunications market

4.2.1       Overview of Gambia’s telecom market

4.3   Regulatory environment

4.3.1       Regulatory framework

4.3.2       West African common regulatory framework 2005

4.3.3       Telecom sector liberalisation and privatisation

4.4   Fixed network operators in Gambia

4.4.1       Gambia Telecommunications Co Ltd

4.5   Telecommunications infrastructure

4.5.1       National telecom network

4.5.2       International infrastructure

4.6   Internet market

4.6.1       Overview of the Internet in Gambia

4.6.2       Internet connectivity

4.6.3       Internet access locations

4.6.4       Gambia’s ISP market

4.6.5       VoIP telephony

4.6.6       E-government

4.7   Mobile communications

4.7.1       Overview of Gambia’s mobile market

4.7.2       Mobile statistics

4.7.3       Major mobile operators

4.8   Broadcasting market

4.8.1       Television broadcasting in Gambia

5.    GHANA

5.1   Key statistics

5.2   Telecommunications market

5.2.1       Overview of Ghana’s telecom market

5.3   Regulatory environment

5.3.1       Regulatory authority

5.3.2       National Information and Communications Infrastructure Plan 2000 - 2005

5.3.3       West African common regulatory framework 2005

5.3.4       Telecom sector liberalisation in Ghana

5.3.5       Privatisation of Ghana Telecom

5.3.6       Interconnection

5.4   Fixed network operators in Ghana

5.4.1       Ghana Telecom

5.4.2       Western Telesystems Ghana Ltd (Westel)

5.4.3       Capital Telecom Ltd

5.5   Telecommunications infrastructure

5.5.1       National telecom network

5.5.2       Wireless local loop (WLL)

5.5.3       The eCARE project

5.5.4       International infrastructure

5.6   Data market

5.6.1       Data infrastructure

5.6.2       VSAT networks

5.7   Broadband and Internet market

5.7.1       Overview of the Internet in Ghana

5.7.2       Internet statistics

5.7.3       Internet regulations

5.7.4       Internet access locations

5.7.5       Ghana’s ISP market

5.7.6       Ghana Internet Exchange Point (GIX)

5.7.7       Broadband

5.7.8       Internet via satellite

5.7.9       VoIP telephony

5.8   Mobile communications

5.8.1       Overview of Ghana’s mobile market

5.8.2       Mobile statistics

5.8.3       Major mobile operators

5.8.4       Mobile voice services

5.8.5       Mobile data services

5.8.6       Third-generation mobile (3G)

5.9   Broadcasting market

5.9.1       Television broadcasting in Ghana

5.9.2       Satellite TV

5.9.3       Pay TV

6.    NIGERIA

6.1   Key statistics

6.2   Telecommunications market

6.2.1       Overview of Nigeria’s telecom market

6.3   Regulatory environment

6.3.1       Nigerian Communications Commission Decree (NCCD) 75 of 1992

6.3.2       National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 1999

6.3.3       Nigerian Communications Act 2003

6.3.4       West African common regulatory framework 2005

6.3.5       Proposed new unified licensing regime 2006

6.3.6       Regulatory authority

6.3.7       Interconnection

6.3.8       Telecom sector liberalisation in Nigeria

6.3.9       Privatisation of Nitel

6.4   Fixed network operators in Nigeria

6.4.1       Market analysis – 2006

6.4.2       Nigerian Telecommunications Ltd (Nitel)

6.4.3       Globacom Ltd

6.4.4       VGC Communications

6.4.5       National Long-Distance Operators (LDOs)

6.5   Private fixed wireless operators

6.5.1       Awakening interest in WLL

6.5.2       Cell Communications Ltd (Cellcom)

6.5.3       Intercellular Nigeria Ltd

6.5.4       Mobitel Nigeria Ltd

6.5.5       Multi-Links Telecommunications Ltd (MLTL)

6.5.6       Reliance Telecommunications Ltd

6.5.7       Starcomms Ltd

6.5.8       Sirius Wireless Ltd

6.5.9       Bourdex Telecommunications

6.6   Telecommunications infrastructure

6.6.1       Continued massive investment required to meet demand

6.6.2       National telecom network

6.6.3       Next Generation Networks (NGN), Triple-Play

6.6.4       International infrastructure

6.7   Data market

6.7.1       Overview

6.7.2       Frame relay

6.7.3       VSAT networks

6.8   Internet market

6.8.1       Overview of Nigeria’s Internet market

6.8.2       Access locations

6.8.3       Nigerian Internet Group (NIG)

6.8.4       Nigeria’s ISP market

6.8.5       Selected ISPs

6.8.6       VoIP telephony

6.9   Broadband market

6.9.1       ADSL

6.9.2       Wireless broadband

6.9.3       Internet via satellite

6.9.4       Broadband Powerline

6.10 Convergence

6.10.1     Broadcasting market

6.10.2     Interactive TV (iTV)

6.10.3     Next Generation Networks (NGN), Triple-Play

6.10.4     E-commerce

6.10.5     E-government

6.11 Mobile communications

6.11.1     Overview of Nigeria’s mobile market

6.11.2     Regulatory issues

6.11.3     Major mobile operators

6.11.4     Jigawa State regional GSM network

6.11.5     Satellite mobile

6.11.6     Mobile banking

7.    SENEGAL

7.1   Key statistics

7.2   Telecommunications market

7.2.1       Overview of Senegal’s telecom market

7.3   Regulatory environment

7.3.1       Telcom sector reform

7.3.2       Telecommunications Act 2001

7.3.3       Regulatory authority

7.3.4       West African common regulatory framework 2005

7.3.5       Telecom sector liberalisation in Senegal

7.3.6       Privatisation of Sonatel

7.4   Fixed network operators in Senegal

7.4.1       Sonatel

7.5   Telecommunications infrastructure

7.5.1       National telecom network

7.5.2       International infrastructure

7.6   Internet market

7.6.1       Overview of the Internet in Senegal

7.6.2       Internet connectivity

7.6.3       World Links for Development (WorLD)

7.6.4       Senegal’s ISP market

7.6.5       VoIP telephony

7.7   Broadband market

7.7.1       Internet via satellite

7.7.2       ADSL

7.8   Convergence

7.8.1       Broadcasting

7.8.2       Triple-Play

7.9   Mobile communications

7.9.1       Overview of Senegal’s mobile market

7.9.2       Major mobile operators

7.9.3       Manobi’s GIS system

7.10 Forecasting

7.10.1     Fixed-line market forecast to 2015

7.10.2     Internet user forecast to 2015

7.10.3     Mobile market forecast to 2015

8.    GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS

Exhibit 1 – Regional FWA licensees

Exhibit 2 – EWN ownership battle – 2003 - 2005

Exhibit 3 – JokoClubs

<br><br>

Table 1 – Country statistics Benin – 2004

Table 2 – Telephone network statistics – 2004

Table 3 – Internet provider statistics – 2004

Table 4 – Internet user statistics – 2004

Table 5 – Mobile statistics – September 2005

Table 6 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2004

Table 7 – Internet users – 1997 - 2004

Table 8 – Internet host computers – 1997 - 2004

Table 9 – Mobile subscribers by operator – September 2005

Table 10 – Mobile subscribers – 1995 - 2005

Table 11 – Country statistics Burkina Faso – 2004

Table 12 – Telephone network statistics – 2004

Table 13 – Internet provider statistics – 2004

Table 14 – Internet user statistics – 2004

Table 15 – Mobile statistics – September 2005

Table 16 – National telecommunications authorities

Table 17 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2004

Table 18 – Internet users – 1996 - 2004

Table 19 – Internet host computers – 1996 - 2004

Table 20 – Mobile subscribers by operator and annual growth – September 2005

Table 21 – Mobile subscribers – 1996 - 2005

Table 22 – Country statistics Côte d’Ivoire – 2005

Table 23 – Telephone network statistics – 2004

Table 24 – Internet provider statistics – 2004

Table 25 – Internet user statistics – 2004

Table 26 – Mobile statistics – September 2005

Table 27 – National telecommunications authorities

Table 28 – Fixed lines in service, teledensity – 1995 – 2004; ISDN subscribers – 1999 - 2003

Table 29 – Internet users – 1996 - 2004

Table 30 – Internet host computers – 1996 - 2004

Table 31 – Mobile subscribers by operator – September 2005

Table 32 – Mobile subscribers – 1996 - 2005

Table 33 – Country statistics Gambia – 2004

Table 34 – Telephone network statistics – 2004

Table 35 – Internet provider statistics – 2004

Table 36 – Internet user statistics – 2004

Table 37 – Mobile statistics – September 2005

Table 38 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2004

Table 39 – Internet users – 1997 - 2004

Table 40 – Internet host computers – 1998 - 2004

Table 41 – Mobile subscribers by operator – September 2005

Table 42 – Mobile subscribers – 1995 - 2005

Table 43 – Country statistics Ghana– 2004

Table 44 – Telephone network statistics – March 2005

Table 45 – Internet provider statistics – 2004

Table 46 – Internet user statistics – 2004

Table 47 – Mobile statistics – September 2005

Table 48 – National telecommunications authorities

Table 49 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2005

Table 50 – Internet users – 1996 - 2004

Table 51 – Internet host computers – 1996 - 2004

Table 52 – Mobile subscribers by operator and annual growth – September 2005

Table 53 – Mobile subscribers – 1995 - 2005

Table 54 – Country statistics Nigeria – 2005

Table 55 – Telephone network statistics – June 2005

Table 56 – Internet provider statistics – 2005

Table 57 – Internet user statistics – 2004

Table 58 – Mobile statistics – September 2005

Table 59 – National telecommunications authorities

Table 60 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2005

Table 61 – Internet users – 1996 - 2004

Table 62 – Internet host computers – 1997 - 2004

Table 63 – Mobile subscribers by operator – September 2005

Table 64 – Mobile subscribers – 1998 - 2005

Table 65 – Country statistics Senegal – 2004

Table 66 – Telephone network statistics – 2004

Table 67 – Internet provider statistics – 2004

Table 68 – Internet user statistics – 2004

Table 69 – Mobile statistics – September 2005

Table 70 – National telecommunications authorities

Table 71 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity– 1995 - 2004

Table 72 – Internet users – 1996 - 2004

Table 73 – Internet host computers – 1996 - 2004

Table 74 – Mobile subscribers by operator – September 2005

Table 75 – Mobile subscribers – 1996 - 2005

Table 76 – Sonatel Mobiles subscribers – 1999 - 2005

Table 77 – Fixed-line and fixed-wireless subscriber forecast – 2005; 2010; 2015

Table 78 – Internet user forecast – 2005; 2010; 2015

Table 79 – Mobile subscriber forecast – 2005; 2010; 2015

"     

Published ：2006-2-14 

Hard copy price： RMB 6500.00

Single user PDF copy price： RMB 5500.00

Pages：149

Tables and figures：82

Edition：5th