Sri Lanka - Internet Services, the Broadband Market and Forecasts

Synopsis

There were only six Internet Service Providers in Sri Lanka just over a decade ago. The number jumped quickly to over 20 and included a number of innovative operators. As this report indicates, internet and other forms of data services have been starting to take off in the country, but coverage and accessibility continue to present challenges. Internet user penetration was estimated at around 15% by early 2012. The sophistication of the services available had generally remained low. The early moves to offer broadband internet in the country met with limited success and it seemed that it would be some time before there is a substantial broadband market. However, there had been some promising signs of growth in broadband services from 2007/08 onwards. Of particular interest was the upsurge in activity in the mobile broadband segment of the market; by 2011/2012 this was being seen in terms of significant subscriber numbers. Overall broadband penetration, including mobile broadband, had reached just over 4% by early 2012. As well as providing an overview of Sri Lanka’s internet sector, this report takes a brief look at some of the service providers.

Key developments:

The Information and Communications Technology Agency (ICTA) launched the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC); Sky Network, a subsidiary of SLT, launched its WiMAX service. The TRC began conducting tests on the broadband services offered by the various operators.

Companies covered in this report include:

SLT, SLTNet, SkyNet, Suntel, Lanka Bell, BellNet, Wishya Online (Pvt) Ltd, ITMIN Ltd, Eureka Online (Pvt) Ltd.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Internet Market
  • 2.1 Overview
  • 2.2 Internet statistics
  • 2.3 Forecasts – Internet services – 2015; 2020
    • 2.3.1 Notes on forecasting
  • 2.4 Internet control and censorship
  • 2.5 Internet exchange
  • 2.6 Public internet access
  • 2.7 School Net project
  • 2.8 Lanka Government Cloud (LGC)
  • 2.9 ISP market
    • 2.9.1 SLTNet
    • 2.9.2 Suntel wOw
    • 2.9.3 BellNet
    • 2.9.4 Wishya Online (Pvt) Ltd
    • 2.9.5 ITMIN Ltd
    • 2.9.6 Eureka Online (Pvt) Ltd
  • 2.10 E-commerce
  • 2.11 E-government
• 3. Broadband Market
  • 3.1 Overview
    • 3.1.1 National Broadband Consultative Committee (NBCC)
    • 3.1.2 Broadband monitoring
  • 3.2 Broadband statistics
  • 3.3 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
  • 3.4 Wireless broadband/WiMAX
  • 3.5 Fibre to the Building (FttB)
• 4. Internet Protocol TV (IPTV)
• 5. Related reports

• Table 1 – Internet users, annual change and penetration – 1996 - 2012
• Table 2 – Internet subscribers – 1994 - 2012
• Table 3 – Computer penetration by household – 2005 - 2011
• Table 4 – International Internet bandwidth – 1998 - 2012
• Table 5 – Forecast internet subscribers and penetration rate – 2015; 2020
• Table 6 – SLT’s DSL broadband subscribers – 2005 - 2011
• Table 7 – Fixed broadband subscribers – 2002 - 2012
• Table 8 – DSL subscribers – 2003 - 2012
• Table 9 – Mobile broadband subscribers – 2009 - 2012
• Table 10 – Broadband subscribers – fixed and mobile – 2010 - 2011
• Table 11 – Broadband subscribers and households – 2011

• Chart 1 - Internet users – 1996 – 2012
• Chart 2 - Internet subscribers – 1994 – 2012
• Chart 3 - International Internet bandwidth – 2004-2012
• Chart 4 - SLT’s DSL broadband subscribers – 2005 – 2011(e)
• Chart 5 - Fixed broadband subscribers – 2002 – 2012(e)
• Chart 6 – DSL subscribers – 2003-2012 (e)

• Exhibit 1 – Licensed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) – 2010
• Exhibit 2 – Licensed Data Communications Service Providers (Facility-based) – February 2011
• Exhibit 3 – Licensed Data Communications Service Providers (Non-Facility based) – February 2011

Related Reports

• Sri Lanka - Fixed Network Operators
• Sri Lanka - Key Statistics, Telecom Market Overview and Forecasts
• Sri Lanka - Mobile Communications, Broadcasting and Forecasts
• Digital Media - Entertainment Today is Online
• Digital Economy - E-Health and M-Health - Vital Services of the Future
• 2011 Sri Lanka - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts
• 2011 Asia - Mobile Communications Statistics (tables only)
• 2011 Asia - Telecom Forecasts