Libya - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband

Executive summary

Libya has emerged from almost two decades of economic isolation, which contributed to the stagnation of its oil industry, the mainstay of its economy, and invariably its telecoms sector. Despite having an old style state-owned monopoly player for the provision of postal and telecommunications services (LPTIC, GPTC), which also operates the country’s only Internet service (LTT) and two mobile networks in parallel, Libya’s telecommunications infrastructure is superior to those in most other African countries and services are available at some of the lowest prices on the continent.

The mobile sub-sector remained underdeveloped with Al-Madar as the sole operator until the introduction of Libyana as the second GSM network in 2004 which sent market penetration skyrocketing from one of the lowest in Africa to one of the highest within only two years. Both networks are government owned but distinguish themselves with different service offerings and pricing. In 2008 Libya became the first country in continental Africa to break the 100% mobile penetration barrier.

The success of the mobile networks has led to massive substitution of fixed-lines by mobile phones and more than halved Libya’s fixed-line teledensity which was once one of the highest in Africa. The mobile networks are also participating in the Internet and broadband sector with mobile data services and third generation (3G/HSDPA) mobile broadband services. The 3G services segment is currently growing at several hundred percent per year.

In parallel, massive investments are being made by the government into a next generation national fibre optic backbone network, the expansion of ADSL and WiMAX broadband services, new international fibre connections and one of Africa’s first Fibre-to-the-Home deployments. Investments into telecommunications infrastructure totalling US$10 billion have been earmarked for the 15 years to 2020.

In early 2009 Libya announced it would issue the first ever private telecom licence in the country for fixed and mobile services, although the government would take a minority stake in the new operator. A new regulatory authority for the telecom sector, GTA was formed at the same time. The licence award has been delayed several times but is expected in 2010. Close to US$1 billion has been offered for the concession.

Key highlights:

• Market analysis 2009;
  
• Benchmarking with other countries in the region in terms of GDP, mobile, fixed and Internet market penetration;
  
• Highest mobile market penetration in continental Africa, analysis;
  
• First ever private telecom licence (fixed and mobile) to be issued;
  
• New regulatory authority established;
  
• Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
  
• National fibre rollout;
  
• One of Africa’s first Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH) deployments;
  
• Broadband pricing trends (ADSL, WiMAX, GPRS/EDGE, 3G mobile);
  
• Mobile network tariff trends, including mobile data.
  

Mobile penetration rates in Libya and other countries in the region – March 2009

(Source: BuddeComm based on various sources)

This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Libya’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, including fibre;
  
• Mobile voice and data markets, including 3G;
  
• Internet and broadband development and pricing;
  
• Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).
  

For those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecommunications sector in Libya, this report is essential reading and gives further information on:

• The market with the highest mobile penetration on the African continent;
  
• Government policies affecting the telecoms industry;
  
• The impact of the global economic crisis;
  
• Market liberalisation and regulatory issues;
  
• Telecoms operators – privatisation, joint ventures, new licences;
  
• Broadband pricing trends, fixed and wireless;
  
• Mobile data services and pricing, including 3G broadband.
  

Table of Contents

• 1. Executive summary
  
• 2. Key statistics
  
  • 2.1 Country overview
    
• 3. Telecommunications market
  
  • 3.1 Market analysis 2009
    
  • 3.2 Regional benchmarking
    
• 4. Regulatory environment
  
  • 4.1 Regulatory authorities
    
    • 4.1.1 General Telecommunication Authority (GTA)
      
  • 4.2 Telecom sector liberalisation in Libya
    
    • 4.2.1 Second national operator (SNO) licence
      
• 5. Fixed network operator in Libya
  
  • 5.1 LPTIC/GPTC
    
  • 5.2 Fixed-line statistics
    
• 6. Telecommunications infrastructure
  
  • 6.1 Fixed-line network
    
  • 6.2 CDMA-2000 WLL
    
  • 6.3 National fibre backbone
    
  • 6.4 Next Generation Network (NGN)
    
  • 6.5 Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH)
    
  • 6.6 International infrastructure
    
    • 6.6.1 International submarine fibre
      
    • 6.6.2 Satellite
      
    • 6.6.3 LapGreen Networks
      
• 7. Internet market
  
  • 7.1 Overview
    
  • 7.2 Internet statistics
    
  • 7.3 Computer initiatives - One Laptop per Child (OLPC)
    
  • 7.4 Libya’s ISP market
    
    • 7.4.1 Libya Telecom & Technology (LTT)
      
• 8. Broadband market
  
  • 8.1 Broadband statistics
    
  • 8.2 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
    
  • 8.3 WiMAX
    
  • 8.4 WiFi
    
  • 8.5 Satellite broadband
    
• 9. Convergence
  
  • 9.1 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
    
• 10. Mobile communications
  
  • 10.1 Overview of Libya’s mobile market
    
    • 10.1.1 Mobile statistics
      
  • 10.2 Major mobile operators
    
    • 10.2.1 Al-Madar (El-Madar)
      
    • 10.2.2 Libyana
      
  • 10.3 Mobile data services
    
    • 10.3.1 Short Message Service (SMS)
      
    • 10.3.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
      
    • 10.3.3 GPRS/EDGE
      
  • 10.4 3G/HSDPA
    
  • 10.5 Mobile TV
    
  • 10.6 Satellite mobile
    
• 11. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Country statistics Libya – 2010
• Table 2 – Fixed-line network statistics – 2010
• Table 3 – Internet provider statistics – 2010
• Table 4 – Internet user statistics – 2010
• Table 5 – Mobile statistics – 2010
• Table 6 – National telecommunications authority
• Table 7 – GDP per capita in Libya and other countries in the region – 2009
• Table 8 – Mobile penetration in Libya and other countries in the region – March 2009
• Table 9 – Internet user penetration in Libya and other countries in the region – 2008
• Table 10 – Fixed-line penetration in Libya and other countries in the region – 2008
• Table 11 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2010
• Table 12 – Internet users and penetration rate – 1999 - 2010
• Table 13 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 1998 - 2010
• Table 14 – Mobile subscribers by operator, technology, & annual change – March 2009
• Table 15 – Libyana 3G/HSDPA broadband pricing – January 2010

• Exhibit 1 – Map of Libya
• Exhibit 2 – An overview of the One Laptop per Child project
• Exhibit 3 – Libyana GSM coverage map – November 2009
• Exhibit 4 – Libyana 3G coverage map – November 2009