Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/93809e/zimbabwe_telecom)
has announced the addition of the Zimbabwe
- Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts report to their
offering.
“Zimbabwe
- Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts”
Zimbabwes economy has contracted for ten years in a row under gross
mismanagement by its political leaders, sending annual inflation to an
unprecedented rate of several billion percent and the exchange rate of
the Zimbabwe dollar to more than 50 billion per US dollar. In 2009 the
government finally gave up and allowed foreign currencies as alternative
legal tender, which had already been the unofficial fuel of the local
economy for years.
The dollarisation has done miracles for the countrys telecom industry:
Network operators, now able to bill their customers in hard currency,
have regained a certain degree of planning reliability and access to
funding for network expansions. Hundreds of millions of US dollars are
now being invested into the three mobile networks - Econet, NetOne and
Telecel Zimbabwe. Mobile penetration has tripled within 18 months to
reach 40% in mid-2010, despite the fact that consumer prices initially
rose - artificial price caps in local currency had meant that prices had
previously been extremely low when converted into hard currencies. As a
consequence, the average minutes of use on Zimbabwes mobile networks
were ironically among the highest in the world, and the networks were
congested. Prices are now more in line with other African markets again.
The normalisation of Zimbabwes economy is reflected in the International
Monetary Funds (IMF) forecast of continuous GDP growth at 6% from 2010.
NetOnes parent, TelOne (formerly PTC) still holds a de-facto monopoly on
fixed-line services in the country. A second national operator (SNO),
TeleAccess was licensed in 2002 but had its licence withdrawn in 2005
due to non-performance resulting from difficulties to raise funding.
Another licensed operator, Afritell (a public-private partnership) also
failed in bringing competition to the fixed-line sector. However, the
government has announced that it recognises the urgent need for a second
operator and that it is looking at ways to resuscitate or retender the
licences.
In parallel, the government is planning to privatise up to 60% of TelOne
and NetOne, either through an IPO or a strategic partnership with a
foreign investor.
Despite the limited fixed-line infrastructure, Internet usage in
Zimbabwe has continued to rise. In an environment of strictly controlled
traditional media, citizens turned to the Internet for independent
information and communication. However, limitations of international
bandwidth for the landlocked country have affected development of the
sector. New fibre optic links are now being deployed to improve
international connectivity via neighbouring countries with access to
international submarine fibre optic cables. The ISP market is reasonably
competitive with six major players. Eight companies have been licensed
to provide VoIP telephony services. Several data carriers have been
licensed and are rolling out national fibre backbone networks. ISPs have
begun rolling out wireless broadband access networks, and the first 3G
mobile broadband service in the country was overwhelmed by demand within
weeks after launch.
After ten years in crisis, Zimbabwes telecoms market has a lot of
catching up to do. The boom in all market sectors is expected to
continue.
Market highlights:
Multi-currency system normalises telecom sector;
Forecasts to end-2011 for mobile, fixed-line and Internet market;
Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
TelOne, NetOne privatisation planned;
Second fixed-line licence expected;
New draft ICT Bill;
Hundreds of millions of US dollars in network expansions;
New domestic and international fibre connections;
3G spectrum allocation, service launches;
Internet and broadband pricing trends.
Estimated market penetration rates in Zimbabwes telecoms sector -
end-2010
MarketPenetration rate
Mobile 48%
Fixed 4%
Internet 17%
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and
developments in Zimbabwes telecommunications market.
Key statistics;
Market and industry overviews;
Regulatory environment and structural reform;
Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
Infrastructure development;
Mobile voice and data markets;
Average Revenue per User (ARPU);
Internet and broadband development and pricing;
Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).For those needing high
level strategic information and objective analysis on the
telecommunications sector in Zimbabwe
This report is essential reading and gives further information on:
A market with ten years of lost time to catch up on;
The impact of the economic crisis;
Government policies affecting the telecoms industry;
Market liberalisation and regulatory issues;
Telecoms operators - privatisation, acquisitions, new licences;
Internet and broadband development and growth, including 3G mobile;
Broadband services and pricing trends;
Mobile Average Revenue per User (ARPU).
Key Topics Covered:
Executive summary
Key statistics
Telecommunications market
Regulatory environment
Fixed network operators in Zimbabwe
International infrastructure
Broadband and Internet market
Mobile communications
Related reports
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/93809e/zimbabwe_telecom
Source: Business Wire