Angola - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband

Angola is the second-largest producer of oil in sub-Saharan Africa, and the rise of oil prices in recent years has led to continued double digit GDP growth. The global economic crisis is affecting the country, and GDP is forecast to grow more in line with the African average going forward. However, with peace restored after decades of civil war, foreign investment has multiplied and the mobile market has soared despite a continued duopoly between Unitel and Angola Telecom’s Movicel.

Competition was also introduced in the underdeveloped fixed-line market, but launch delays and consolidation among the newly licensed players have led to a duopoly in this sector as well between Angola Telecom (AT) and Mercury Telecom (MS Telecom). The long awaited start of Mundo Startel’s fixed-wireless operations in April 2009 has now created a third force in this market.

The mobile network operators have launched 3G services and are shaking up the broadband market where fixed-wireless and ISPs have been competing with AT’s ADSL and cable modem services by rolling out their own wireless access networks based on CDMA and WiMAX technology. However, prices are still beyond the reach of most Angolans due to the high cost of international bandwidth as a result of AT’s monopolisation of the SAT-3/WASC international fibre optic submarine cable. The arrival of new international fibre systems to the country’s shores is expected to change this from 2010 onwards, coupled with the creation of the Angola Cable consortium in June 2009 which includes all major operators. In parallel, a US$500 million national fibre backbone network is being rolled out.

The privatisation of AT started in mid-2009 with the sale of a majority in its mobile unit, Movicel. The creation of Infrasat as an independent satellite business unit and Angola Cable for international fibre connections are additional steps towards greater liberalisation of the country’s telecom market, improved efficiency of the national telco and its eventual complete privatisation.

This report includes an overview and analysis of Angola’s telecom market, key statistics, profiles of major players, and scenario forecasts for the fixed-line, Internet and mobile sectors to 2010 and 2015.
Key highlights:

Market analysis 2009;
GDP per capita to fall by more than 20% as a result of the global economic crisis;
Forecasts for fixed-line, mobile and Internet markets to 2010 and 2015;
Comparison with other countries in the region in terms of GDP, mobile, fixed and Internet market penetration;
Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
Third fixed/wireless operator launches;
Privatisation of Movicel;
Angola Telecom forms new business units and joint ventures in preparation for privatisation;
De-monopolisation of international fibre access;
Coordinated trans-sector national fibre rollout;
Pricing comparison of all major broadband services (ADSL, cable, EV-DO, 3G mobile).Angola Telecom ADSL monthly pricing by speed – 2009

This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Angola’s telecommunications market. Subjects covered include:

Key statistics;
Market and industry overviews;
The impact of the global economic crisis;
Regulatory environment and structural reform;
Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
Infrastructure development;
Mobile voice and data markets;
Average Revenue per User (ARPU) trends;
Internet and broadband development;
Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile);
Telecom market forecasts for 2015 and 2018.For those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecommunications sector in Angola, this report is essential reading and gives further information on:

One of the fastest growing economies in Africa;
Government policies affecting the telecoms industry;
The impact of the global economic crisis;
Market liberalisation and regulatory issues;
Telecoms operators – privatisation, acquisitions, new licences;
Telecom market forecasts for 2015 and 2018;
Internet and broadband development and growth;
Mobile data services;
Average Revenue per User (ARPU).