DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a4cc1a/democratic_republi) has announced the addition of the "Democratic Republic of Congo - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband" report to their offering.
Recovering from the global economic crisis.
Following a 30-year dictatorship between 1967 and 1997, the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) has been through two wars and is still seeing violent conflicts in the eastern part of the country. The economy of this third largest country in Africa relies heavily on mining. However, much economic activity occurs in the informal sector and is not reflected in GDP data. An uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government policy are continuing long-term problems. The country has been hit hard by the global economic crisis in 2008 and 2009, but GDP growth is expected to reach 7% in 2011.
As a result of the political instability since the mid-1990s, the national telecom system is one of the least developed in the region. Rural areas, where almost 70% of the population resides, are virtually devoid of telephone or Internet service. The national operator, OCPT theoretically has a monopoly on the sector under 1970 legislation, but it has been unable to provide a modern telecom network and unsuccessful in finding major investors for privatisation. Recognising the need for telecommunications infrastructure, the government is only loosely regulating the sector.
Mobile networks have taken over as the providers of basic telecom services. By 2001, some 16 private operators had been granted mobile telephony licences and the subscriber base was growing at triple digit rates per year. However, the proliferation of networks has also caused interference and compatibility problems, and there is limited available spectrum due to poor spectrum management. As a result, the mobile sector has consolidated and now has four major players: Vodacom Congo, Bharti Airtel (formerly Zain), Millicom (Tigo) and Congo Chine Telecom (CCT) in which OCPT holds 49%. The vast majority of subscribers are on prepaid plans.
Development of the Internet market has been held back by the poorly developed national and international infrastructure. The mobile operators are beginning to play a significant role in this sector as well, following the launch of mobile data services. However, no 3G mobile systems have yet been launched apart from a CDMA-EV-DO system in Kinshasa, which means that services offering true broadband speed are currently only available through relatively small wireless networks using other technologies, mainly WiMAX.
With support from China, OCPT is now finally rolling out a fibre optic national backbone that will ultimately also provide access to fibre optic submarine cables for low-cost, high-quality international bandwidth.
Market highlights:
- Country hit hard by global economic crisis but expected to return to 7% GDP growth in 2011
- Profiles of major players in all market sectors
- WiMAX is the predominant broadband access technology
- OCPT begins national fibre backbone rollout and rehabilitation of fixed-line network
- Access to international fibre bandwidth expected in 2011 or 2012. Estimated market penetration rates in the DRC's telecoms sector - end 2011
Market Penetration Rate:
- Mobile 17%
- Fixed 0.1%
- Internet 0.6%
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in DRC's telecommunications market.
Subjects covered include:
- Key statistics
- Market and industry overviews
- Government policies affecting the telecoms industry
- Market liberalisation and regulatory issues
- Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband)
- Telecoms operators - privatisation, acquisitions, new licences
- Infrastructure development
- Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile)
- Internet and broadband development and growth
- Mobile data services
- Average Revenue per User
Key Topics Covered:
1. Executive summary
2. Key statistics
3. Telecommunications market
4. Regulatory environment
5. Fixed-line operators in the DRC
6. International infrastructure
7. Broadband and Internet market
8. Mobile communications
Tables:
Table 1 - Country statistics Democratic Republic of Congo - 2011
Table 2 - Fixed-line network statistics - 2011
Table 3 - Internet provider statistics - 2011
Table 4 - Internet user statistics - 2011
Table 5 - Mobile statistics - 2011
Table 6 - National telecommunications authority
Table 7 - Fixed telephone lines and teledensity - 1995 - 2012
Table 8 - Internet users and penetration rate - 1996 - 2012
Table 9 - Mobile subscribers and penetration rate - 1996; 1998 - 2012
Table 10 - Vodacom Congo subscribers - 2002 - 2010
Table 11 - Vodacom Congo ARPU - 2003 - 2010
Table 12 - Zain DRC ARPU - 2002 - 2009
Companies Mentioned:
- Tatem Telecom
- Africanus.net
- InterConnect, Vodanet
- Microcom
- Cielux Telecom
- Global Broadband Solution (GBS)
- Vodacom Congo
- Bharti Airtel (formerly Zain, Celtel)
- Tigo (Millicom)
- CCT
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a4cc1a/democratic_republi