Georgia - Telecoms Market Overview, Statistics & Forecasts

Synopsis

The telecommunications sector in Georgia had been characterised for a long time by outmoded and inadequate infrastructure resulting from under-investment over decades. However, there has been a marked upward trend in the country’s telecom market of late, with rising revenues and increased capital investment. Mobile services, in particular, have become increasingly important, especially given the poor fixed-line network (particularly in rural and remote areas). MagtiCom was awarded the country’s first 3G licence in 2005. Then, in a significant move in 2006, the regulator awarded a 3G licence to a textile company, Argotex. This was followed by a third licence going to Telecom Invest Georgia. It was noted that mobile operator Geocell had failed in all three bids. This report looks at the country’s telecom market; it includes a selection of market statistics and forecasts.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Key statistics
  
• 3. Telecommunications market
  
  • 3.1 Overview of Georgia’s telecom market
    
• 4. Regulatory environment
  
  • 4.1 Regulatory authority
    
    • 4.1.1 The Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC)
      
  • 4.2 Privatisation
    
  • 4.3 National security
    
• 5. Fixed network operators in Georgia
  
  • 5.1 Akhali Kselebi Ltd (NewNet Telecommunications)
    
  • 5.2 Egrisi
    
  • 5.3 Sakartvelos Elektrokavshiri (United Telecom of Georgia)
    
  • 5.4 Sakartvelos Telekomi (Telecom Georgia)
    
• 6. Telecommunications infrastructure
  
  • 6.1 National telecom network
    
  • 6.2 International infrastructure
    
• 7. Internet market
  
  • 7.1 Overview
    
  • 7.2 Broadband
    
  • 7.3 WiMAX
    
  • 7.4 ISP market
    
    • 7.4.1 Georgia Online
      
    • 7.4.2 SaNet
      
• 8. Mobile communications
  
  • 8.1 Overview of Georgia’s mobile market
    
    • 8.1.1 Mobile statistics
      
  • 8.2 Mobile technologies
    
    • 8.2.1 Third Generation (3G) mobile
      
  • 8.3 Major mobile operators
    
    • 8.3.1 Geocell
      
    • 8.3.2 MagtiCom
      
    • 8.3.3 Mobitel
      
    • 8.3.4 MegaCom
      
• 9. Forecasts
  
  • 9.1 Overview
    
  • 9.2 Forecasts – fixed-line market to 2017
    
  • 9.3 Forecasts – Internet services to 2017
    
  • 9.4 Forecasts – mobile market to 2017
    
  • 9.5 Notes on forecasting
    
• 10. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Country statistics – 2009
• Table 2 – Telecom revenue and investment statistics – 2007
• Table 3 – Telephone network statistics – 2008
• Table 4 – Internet user statistics – 2008
• Table 5 – Mobile statistics – 2008
• Table 6 – National telecommunications authority
• Table 7 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2008
• Table 8 – Internet users and penetration – 1996 - 2008
• Table 9 – Internet subscribers – 2001 - 2008
• Table 10 – Broadband subscribers – 2001 - 2008
• Table 11 – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 1995 - 2009
• Table 12 – Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change – 2008
• Table 13 – Mobile operators – subscribers and market share – 2008
• Table 14 – Forecast fixed line growth – lower forecast – 2007; 2012; 2017
• Table 15 – Forecast fixed line growth – upper forecast – 2007; 2012; 2017
• Table 16 – Forecast Internet growth – lower forecast – 2007; 2012; 2017
• Table 17 – Forecast Internet growth – upper forecast – 2007; 2012; 2017
• Table 18 – Forecast mobile growth – lower forecast – 2007; 2012; 2017
• Table 19 – Forecast mobile growth – upper forecast – 2007; 2012; 2017

• Exhibit 1 – Sakartvelos Elektrokavshiri’s Tbilisi network infrastructure