Colombia - Mobile Market - Overview, Statistics and Forecasts

Synopsis

Although the Colombian mobile market has slowed down, it holds significant growth potential, particularly in the areas of mobile broadband and value-added services. The government is raising the spectrum cap from 55MHz to 60MHz per mobile operator, and the year 2011 promises to be a lively one for spectrum bidding. An auction will be held for 30MHz in the 1.9GHz band (to be used for 3G services), and there are tender plans for spectrum in the 1.7/2.1GHz and 2.5GHz bands. Having won 50MHz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz-2.69GHz band, fixed line operator UNE is rolling out Latin America’s first 4G network using long-Term evolution technology. Accompanied by key market statistics and analyses, this report provides an overview of major developments in the market and brief profiles of all mobile operators. The report also contains scenario forecast for the mobile telephony market for the years 2010, 2015 and 2020.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Overview of Colombia’s mobile market
  • 2.1 Mobile statistics
  • 2.2 Spectrum regulations and auctions
• 3. Mobile technologies
  • 3.1 Overview
  • 3.2 Third Generation (3G) mobile networks (UMTS)
  • 3.3 Long Term Evolution (LTE)
• 4. Major mobile operators
  • 4.1 Comcel (América Móvil)
  • 4.2 Movistar (Telefónica)
  • 4.3 Tigo (Colombia Móvil – Millicom)
  • 4.4 Avantel
  • 4.5 UNE-EPM
• 5. Mobile voice services
  • 5.1 Prepaid
• 6. Mobile Messaging
  • 6.1 Short Message Service (SMS)
  • 6.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
• 7. Mobile broadband
• 8. Mobile satellite
• 9. Forecasts – mobile market – 2010; 2015; 2020
  • 9.1 Scenario 1 – higher mobile market growth
  • 9.2 Scenario 2 – lower mobile market growth
  • 9.3 Notes on scenario forecasts
• 10. Related reports

• Table 1 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 1997 - 2011
• Table 2 – Mobile market share by operator – 2001 - 2011
• Table 3 – Evolution of mobile ARPU in Colombia – major operators – 2006 - 2009
• Table 4 – Comcel subscribers – 2001 - 2011
• Table 5 – Movistar subscribers – 2001 - 2011
• Table 6 – Tigo subscribers – 2003 - 2011
• Table 7 – Mobile prepaid/postpaid ratio – 2005 - 2010
• Table 8 – Forecast mobile subscribers – higher growth scenario – 2010; 2015; 2020
• Table 9 – Forecast mobile subscribers – lower growth scenario – 2010; 2015; 2020

• Chart 1 – SMS by operator - 2010 (Jan-Jun)
• Chart 2 – MMS by operator - 2010 (Jan-Jun)
• Chart 3 – Mobile broadband market share – June 2010

• Exhibit 1 – Comcel at a glance
• Exhibit 2 – Movistar at a glance
• Exhibit 3 – Tigo at a glance