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 Swaziland - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts
Executive summary
One of the world's last monopoly markets
Swaziland is one of the last countries in the world with an almost complete monopoly in all sectors of its telecommunications market: The state-owned posts and telecommunications operator, SPTC also acts as the industry regulator and has a stake in the country's sole mobile network, in partnership with South Africa's MTN. The planned unbundling and eventual privatisation of the incumbent and the introduction of more competition would enable the market to live up to its relative GDP strength.
Despite the lack of competition, mobile market penetration at close to 70% is well above the African average. More than 90% of all telephones in the country are mobile phones. Swazi MTN has entered the Internet sector with basic mobile data services in a bid to generate additional revenues in an environment of rapidly declining average revenue per user, and the company is preparing for the introduction of third generation mobile broadband services.
The Internet sector is open to competition with four licensed Internet service providers (ISPs), but prices have remained high and market penetration relatively low. An ADSL broadband service introduced in 2008 has proven successful, but development of the sector has been hampered by the limited fixed-line infrastructure and a lack of competition in the access and backbone network, although the country has a relatively well-developed fibre optic backbone network. However, being landlocked, Swaziland depends on neighbouring countries for international fibre bandwidth which has led to high prices. A reduction of the high cost of international bandwidth can be expected from the several new submarine fibre optic cables that reached the region in 2009 and 2010, with more scheduled for 2011.
Market highlights:
Forecasts to end-2011 for mobile, fixed-line and Internet market;
SPTC restructuring expected;
Preparations for 3G mobile network launch;
Internet and broadband pricing trends 2009/10;
Lower international bandwidth prices expected in 2011.Estimated market penetration rates in Swaziland's telecoms sector - end-2010
MarketPenetration rate
Mobile67%
Fixed5%
Internet10%
(Source: BuddeComm based on various sources)
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Swaziland's telecommunications market. Subjects covered include:
Key statistics;
Market and industry overviews;
The impact of the global economic crisis;
Government policies affecting the telecoms industry;
Market liberalisation and regulatory environment;
Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
Telecoms operators - privatisation, acquisitions, new licences;
Infrastructure development;
Mobile voice and data markets;
Average Revenue per User;
Internet and broadband development and growth;
Broadband and mobile data services and pricing trends;
Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).
Last Update: 9 Nov 2010 Number of Pages: 21
Single User: USD $405.00 ex-GST View Table of Contents
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