Mauritius - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband

Executive summary

The island nation of Mauritius sports some of the best telecommunication market indicators in Africa and has been the first with many innovations: Africa’s first cellular system was launched there in 1989, the first commercial 3G mobile service in 2004, the world’s first nationwide WiMAX wireless broadband network in 2005, and one of Africa’s first IPTV services in 2006.

With strong tourism and financial services sectors, Mauritius’ economy has been hit harder by the global economic crisis than many other African countries. However, IMF forecasts predict that after a dip to around 2% in 2009 and 2010, annual GDP growth will return to levels between 4% and 5% again from 2011.

The incumbent telco, Mauritius Telecom (MT) has been partially privatised and all sectors of the market are open to competition. Served by a modern, digital fixed-line network, two fibre optic submarine cables for international connectivity, three mobile networks, various broadband and other service providers, Mauritius is actively pursuing a policy to make telecommunications the fifth pillar of its economy and to become a regional telecom hub with Singapore as a role model.

At more than 80% penetration, the mobile market is approaching saturation. The 3G service segment is showing the highest growth rates for the two GSM-based networks – Orange (MT in partnership with France Telecom) and Emtel, operated by Millicom International. The strongest overall subscriber growth is currently seen by the third mobile network, Mahanagar (MTML), which is undercutting its competitors’ tariffs and offers an EV-DO broadband service through a CDMA2000 network. MTML is also the country’s second fixed network operator.

Mauritius was also one of the first countries in Africa to legalise VoIP telephony. Combined with the well developed infrastructure this has led to the introduction of converged voice, Internet and broadband TV services which have been taken up by the majority of broadband users. Further improvements in this sector and lower prices are expected from the landing of the second international submarine fibre which will provide an alternative route to Europe in the near future.

Mauritius Telecom Group financial results – 2004 - 2008

(Source: BuddeComm based on company data)

Key highlights:

• One of the highest levels of mobile and fixed-line penetration in Africa;
  
• Market analysis 2009;
  
• Benchmarking with other countries in the region in terms of GDP, mobile, fixed and Internet market penetration;
  
• Profiles of major players in all market sectors;
  
• Mauritius Telecom financial results;
  
• Second international submarine fibre landed;
  
• The most successful triple play service in Africa;
  
• Pricing comparison of all major broadband services (ADSL, WiMAX, triple play, 3G mobile).
  

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

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

• One of the most advanced telecommunications markets 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;
  
• Internet and broadband development and growth;
  
• Mobile data services, including 3G.
  

Table of Contents

• 1. Executive summary
  
• 2. Key statistics
  
• 3. Telecommunications market
  
  • 3.1 Market analysis 2009
    
  • 3.2 Regional benchmarking
    
• 4. Regulatory environment
  
  • 4.1 Telecommunications Act 1998
    
  • 4.2 Information and Communication Technology Act 2001
    
  • 4.3 National Telecommunications Policy (NTP – 2003, 2004)
    
    • 4.3.1 NTP targets
      
  • 4.4 Regulatory authority
    
    • 4.4.1 ICTA
      
  • 4.5 Electronic Transaction Act
    
  • 4.6 Cybercrime Act
    
  • 4.7 ICT sector incentives
    
  • 4.8 Telecom sector liberalisation in Mauritius
    
  • 4.9 Interconnection
    
  • 4.10 Universal Service Fund
    
• 5. Fixed network operators in Mauritius
  
  • 5.1 Mauritius Telecom
    
    • 5.1.1 Privatisation
      
    • 5.1.2 Network infrastructure
      
  • 5.2 Mahanagar (MTML)
    
    • 5.2.1 Network infrastructure
      
  • 5.3 Fixed-line statistics
    
• 6. International infrastructure
  
  • 6.1 SAT-3/WASC/SAFE
    
    • 6.1.1 Cost of international bandwidth
      
  • 6.2 LION, Seacom, EASSy
    
• 7. Internet market
  
  • 7.1 Overview
    
    • 7.1.1 Internet statistics
      
  • 7.2 Personal computers
    
  • 7.3 Cyber-City Project
    
  • 7.4 ISP market
    
    • 7.4.1 Orange (Telecom Plus)
      
    • 7.4.2 Nomad (Network Plus)
      
    • 7.4.3 DCL Internet
      
    • 7.4.4 MTML
      
  • 7.5 Internet Exchange Point (IXP)
    
• 8. Broadband market
  
  • 8.1 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
    
  • 8.2 WiFi
    
  • 8.3 WiMAX
    
    • 8.3.1 Nomad
      
    • 8.3.2 Other projects
      
  • 8.4 Evolution-Data Optimised (EV-DO)
    
  • 8.5 Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH)
    
• 9. Convergence
  
  • 9.1 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
    
  • 9.2 NetTV
    
  • 9.3 IPTV, Triple Play (My.T)
    
  • 9.4 E-government
    
• 10. Mobile communications
  
  • 10.1 Overview of the Mauritian mobile market
    
    • 10.1.1 Mobile statistics
      
  • 10.2 Major mobile operators
    
    • 10.2.1 Orange (MT, Cellplus)
      
    • 10.2.2 Emtel
      
    • 10.2.3 Mahanagar (MTML)
      
  • 10.3 Mobile data services
    
  • 10.4 Third generation (3G)
    
  • 10.5 Mobile broadband pricing
    
  • 10.6 Mobile content and applications
    
    • 10.6.1 Mobile TV
      
    • 10.6.2 Mobile banking
      
• 11. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Country statistics Mauritius – 2009
• Table 2 – Fixed network statistics – 2008
• Table 3 – Internet provider statistics – 2008
• Table 4 – Internet statistics – 2008
• Table 5 – Mobile statistics – March 2009
• Table 6 – National telecommunications authority
• Table 7 – GDP per capita in Mauritius and other countries in the region – 2009
• Table 8 – Mobile penetration in Mauritius and other countries in the region – March 2009
• Table 9 – Internet user penetration in Mauritius and other countries in the region – 2008
• Table 10 – Fixed-line penetration in Mauritius and other countries in the region – 2008
• Table 11 – Mauritius Telecom Group financial results – 2004 - 2008
• Table 12 – Fixed lines in service by operator and teledensity – 1995; 1997; 1999 - 2008
• Table 13 – Internet subscribers, users and penetration rate – 1999 - 2008
• Table 14 – International Internet bandwidth – 1999 - 2008
• Table 15 – MT ADSL versus dial-up subscribers – 2005 - 2008
• Table 16 – Orange ADSL Home pricing – November 2009
• Table 17 – Orange ADSL Pro and Business pricing – November 2009
• Table 18 – Nomad WiMAX pricing – March and November 2009
• Table 19 – My.T triple play pricing – 2008 - 2009
• Table 20 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 1995 - 2009
• Table 21 – Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change – March 2009
• Table 22 – Orange mobile data/3G broadband pricing – November 2009
• Table 23 – Emtel mobile data/3G broadband pricing – November 2009
• Table 24 – MTML EV-DO mobile broadband pricing – November 2009

• Exhibit 1 – Telecommunications licences in Mauritius – 2008 - 2009
• Exhibit 2 – Nomad WiMAX coverage map – November 2009