Mexico - Mobile Market Insights, Statistics and Forecasts

Synopsis

Following a slowdown in the Mexican mobile market in 2009, the sector recovered during 2010 and 2011 though subscriber growth remains in single figures as a result of higher mobile penetration.

While Telcel still dominates market share, a decision by the competition regulator in early 2010 to restrict the operator’s dominance held the promise of more stringent regulation in favour of Telcel’s competitors. Accordingly, in early 2011 the competition regulator fined Telcel the maximum levy of 10% of its assets for engaging in monopolistic practices.

Following the 3G spectrum auctions held in 2010, increased competition is expected during the next few years with operators such as Movistar better positioned to offer mobile data services. Furthermore, as a consequence of its bidding successes at the spectrum auctions, Nextel has revealed plans to deploy a 3G wireless network, thereby increasing the competitive pressure on market leader Telcel.

This report provides an overview of Mexico’s mobile market, accompanied by relevant statistical data and subscriber forecasts to 2016. Brief profiles of the major operators including monthly ARPU figures are also provided.

Key Developments:

Mobile penetration approaches 85%; spectrum auctions in the 1.9GHz and 1.7GHz bands completed; Telcel maintains a 70% market share; Nextel enters the mobile market; Telefónica success in spectrum auctions; Televisa buys a 50% stake in Iusacell but merger rejected by Federal Competition Commission over FTA TV competition issues; América Móvil develops m-payment platform with banks; operator data to Sept 2011; market developments to early 2012.

Companies covered in this report include:

Telcel; Movistar; Iusacell; Nextel Mexico; Televisa; Globalstar; Unefón; Telefónica

1. Synopsis
2. Overview of Mexico’s mobile (cell phone) market
- 2.1 Mobile market statistics
3. Regulatory issues
- 3.1 Regulatory authorities
- 3.2 Spectrum auctions
4. Mobile technologies
- 4.1 Overview
5. Major mobile operators
- 5.1 Telcel
- 5.2 Movistar
- 5.3 Grupo Iusacell
  - 5.3.1 Unefón
- 5.4 Nextel de México
6. Mobile voice services
- 6.1 Minutes of Use (MOU)
- 6.2 Prepaid
- 6.3 Satellite mobile
7. Mobile data services
- 7.1 SMS Text Messaging
- 7.2 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
- 7.3 Push-to-Talk (PTT)
- 7.4 Long-term Evolution (LTE)
- 7.5 M-payment services
8. Forecasts
- 8.1 Mobile market forecasts – 2011 - 2016
- 8.2 Notes on scenario forecasts
9. Related reports

Table 1 – Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change – 2010
Table 2 – Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration rate – 2000 - 2011
Table 3 – Mobile market share by major operator – 2001 - 2011
Table 4 – Telcel subscribers and annual change – 2000 - 2011
Table 5 – Telcel churn, monthly minutes of use and ARPU – 2008 - 2011
Table 6 – Telcel wireless revenue – 2010 - 2011
Table 7 – Movistar subscribers and annual change – 2001 - 2011
Table 8 – Movistar churn, minutes of use and ARPU – 2008 - 2011
Table 9 – Movistar financial data – 2008 - 2011
Table 10 – Iusacell subscribers and annual change – 2000 - 2010
Table 11 – Unefón subscribers and annual change – 2000 - 2007
Table 12 – Monthly and yearly minutes of use and annual change – 2000 - 2011
Table 13 – Prepaid / postpaid subscribers and annual change – 1997 - 2011
Table 14 – Forecast mobile subscribers and penetration lower growth scenario – 2010 - 2012; 2016
Table 15 – Forecast mobile subscribers and penetration higher growth scenario – 2010 - 2012; 2016

Chart 1 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 2000 – 2010
Chart 2 – Telcel subscribers and annual change – 2000 – 2011
Chart 3 – Movistar subscribers and annual change – 2001 – 2011
Chart 4 – Movistar financial data – 2008 – 2011
Chart 5 – Iusacell subscribers and annual change – 2000 – 2010
Chart 6 – Forecast mobile subscribers and penetration – lower growth scenario – 2010 – 2016
Chart 7 – Forecast mobile subscribers and penetration – higher growth scenario – 2010 – 2016