Sri Lanka - Fixed Network Operators

Synopsis

Sri Lanka’s telecom sector has expanded considerably over the last decade or so, although from a relatively small base. After the initial liberalisation of telecom sector, the opening up of the market was further accelerated when Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) subsequently started to lose its monopoly status. The number of fixed-line telephone service operators in the country grew to four and, together with the country’s five licensed mobile operators, by 2011 more than 60 other companies had started providing a variety of telecommunications services around the country. SLT’s share of the total fixed-line subscriber base had fallen to around 41% by 2011; this was down from 87% in 2004. The report looks at Sri Lanka Telecom and some of the other leading players in the market.

Key developments:

Mobile operator Dialog Axiata acquired fixed-line operator Suntel in 2012. Lanka Bell had reportedly moved away from a sale of equity. SLT launched a new optical fibre project for the island’s northern areas. Lanka Bell was closing in on market leader SLT in terms of number of fixed subscribers.

Companies covered in this report include:

SLT, Mobitel, Suntel, Lanka Bell; Dialog, Axiata.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Fixed Network Operators in Sri Lanka
  • 2.1 Overview of operators
  • 2.2 SLT (formerly Sri Lanka Telecom)
    • 2.2.1 Company overview
    • 2.2.2 Financial overview 2009-2011
    • 2.2.3 Privatisation and ownership of SLT
    • 2.2.4 Mobitel
    • 2.2.5 IPTV
    • 2.2.6 WLL
    • 2.2.7 National and international networks
  • 2.3 Suntel
    • 2.3.1 Overview
    • 2.3.2 Network roll-out and operations
    • 2.3.3 Acquisition by Dialog Axiata
  • 2.4 Lanka Bell
  • 2.5 Dialog Broadband Networks (DBN)
  • 2.6 Other operators
• 3. Related reports

• Table 1 – Fixed-line operators and subscribers – 2008; 2010 - 2011
• Table 2 – SLT fixed-line subscribers and market share – 1999 - 2011
• Table 3 – SLT fixed-line subscribers – wireline and WLL – 2005 - 2011
• Table 4 – SLT (Sky Network) broadband subscribers – 2009 - 2012
• Table 5 –Suntel subscribers – 1999 - 2011
• Table 6 – Lanka Bell subscribers – 1999 - 2011

• Chart 1 - Fixed-line operators and subscribers - 2008; 2010 - 2011
• Chart 2 - SLT fixed-line subscribers and market share - 2003-2011
• Chart 3 - SLT fixed-line subscribers - wireline and WLL - 2005-2011

• Exhibit 1 – Telecommunications system operator licensees
• Exhibit 2 – Major shareholders in SLT – December 2011

Related Reports

• Sri Lanka - Internet Services, the Broadband Market and Forecasts
• Sri Lanka - Key Statistics, Telecom Market Overview and Forecasts
• Sri Lanka - Mobile Communications, Broadcasting and Forecasts
• Insights into Asia Pacific Telcos - Key Statistics
• Global Telecoms - The Big Picture - Key Industry Statistics
• Global Mobile - Key Statistics and Trends at a Glance
• 2011 Sri Lanka - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts
• 2011 Asia Mobile Operators - December