DRC: Network Coverage Extensions, Mobile Data and Fixed Internet to Drive Telecom Market Growth
Summary
In 2016, DRC generated telecom service revenue of US$1.2bn (equivalent to 3.0% of nominal GDP), a decrease of 18.5% over 2015, primarily due to SIM registration, political and social unrest seen in the nation for most of the year, and depreciation of local currency. The top two operators, Vodacom DRC and Airtel DRC, which provide mobile voice and data services, accounted for 59.6% of overall service revenue in 2016. Operators are focusing on expanding their 2G/3G network coverage and offering low-cost smartphones and affordable data and device plans to strengthen their market position.
2G remains the most adopted technology in DRC, accounting for 94.0% of mobile subscriptions in 2016; however, we expect its share to decline to 87.8% by 2021, owing to customers’ migration to more advance 3G technologies and the launch of 4G services in the near future. 3G subscriptions will grow at a CAGR of 32.8% during 2016-2021, to reach 7.4m or 11.9% of total mobile subscriptions by 2021, supported by operator investments in 3G network coverage expansions.
Broadband penetration will continue to remain stagnant during 2016-2021, owing to lack of national and international terrestrial connectivity leading to a high cost of broadband services in the country. However, the ongoing fifth phase of the Central African Backbone (CAB) project 2014-2019 is expected to boost broadband connectivity in the country in the long run.
Over the next five years, operators should seize opportunities arising from increased demand for data services. Furthermore, operator focus on 3G network expansion, on mobile data monetization and on development of fixed broadband infrastructure along with the forthcoming launch of 4G in the near future present opportunities for vendors and investors.
The report “DRC: Network Coverage Extensions, Mobile Data and Fixed Internet to Drive Telecom Market Growth” provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in DRC today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. Moreover, this report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband and mobile sectors, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.
In particular, this report provides the following analysis –
– Regional context: Telecom market size and trends in DRC compared with other countries in the region.
– The regulatory environment and trends: A review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.
– A demand profile: Analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony (including VoIP), broadband, mobile voice and mobile data markets.
– Service evolution: A look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2016 to 2021.
– The competitive landscape: An examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.
– In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data services: A quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.
Companies mentioned in this report: Airtel DRC, Orange DRC, Africell DRC, Vodacom DRC, Supercell, Congolese Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SCPT), iBurst Africa, Microcom, Liquid Telecom, Alepo, Intelsat, O3b, Gilat Satcom, Regulatory Authority of Post and Telecommunications of Congo (ARPTC).
Scope
– The overall telecom services revenue in DRC will grow at a CAGR of 9.9% during 2016-2021 to reach $1.9bn by 2021. The fixed/mobile revenue split will be dominated by the mobile segment through 2021, with the share of the fixed segment to decline from 10.4% in 2016 to 7.6% in 2021.
– Mobile data will grow at a CAGR of 22.0% during 2016-2021, benefitting from growing smartphone penetration and more affordable and highly segmented data plans spurring mobile data usage and adoption.
– 2G remains the most adopted technology in DRC accounting for 94.0% of mobile subscriptions in 2016; however, we expect its share to decline to 87.8% by 2021, owing to customers’ migration to more advanced 3G technologies and the launch of 4G services in the near future.
– The top two operators, Vodacom DRC and Airtel DRC, which provide mobile voice and data services, accounted for 59.6% of overall service revenue in 2016. Operators are focusing on expanding their 2G/3G network coverage and offering low-cost smartphones and affordable data and device plans to strengthen their market position.
Reasons to buy
– This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of DRC’s telecommunications market, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.
– Accompanying GlobalData’s Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in DRC’s mobile communications, fixed telephony/VoIP and broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.
– With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.
– The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Botswana’s telecommunications market.
– The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in DRC.