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2007 Latin America - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband in Central America

Publication Date February 2007
Publisher BuddeComm
Product Type Report
Pages 122
ISBN Number not applicable
Product Code BUD00061
Price

£390.00
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Summary

Central America is a tropical isthmus that connects North and South America, and separates the Caribbean from the Pacific. It comprises the seven republics of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The region is relatively small, extending for about 524,000km. The land is fertile and rugged, and dominated by a string of volcanic mountain ranges.

Belize: While geographically part of Central America, Belize has much in common with its Caribbean Island neighbours. The Belizean telecom market was officially liberalised in January 2003, yet the incumbent, Belize Telecommunications (BTL), still holds a virtual monopoly. With scant competition and ineffective regulatory control, it has been able to charge exorbitant rates for its services. A controversy over VoIP is a case in point. Although both the government and the regulator declared that they wanted to move the telecom sector towards greater competition, in practice BTL lobbied against VoIP and has been able to block any possible competitors from using VoIP. BTL does, however, face competition in the mobile sector, where SpeedNet launched services in March 2005 under the brand name Smart, and succeeded in carving out about 18% of the market after only 15 months of operation.

Costa Rica: State-owned Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) and its subsidiary RACSA are the monopoly providers of virtually all telecom services except for pay TV and paging. While this situation worked in the past, it is now leading to considerable problems, such as long waiting lists for phones, poor service quality, obsolescence, and lack of investment. Although it has one of the highest fixed-line teledensity rates in Latin America, Costa Rica's mobile penetration is significantly lower than the regional average and well below what could be expected given its relatively high GDP per capita. The preliminary signing of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free-Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) in January 2004 marked a significant step for Costa Rica, as DR-CAFTA calls for the liberalisation of some telecom services. But the Costa Rican population is deeply divided over DR-CAFTA, and the ratification of the agreement has been delayed, together with any liberalisation plans.

El Salvador: The country's telecom market is among the most open in Central America. The government's liberal approach has allowed new technologies to flourish. Fixed-line teledensity, however, remains low. Despite growing steadily, phone lines, mainly in rural areas, are insufficient to meet local demand. Mobile telcos have capitalised on the underdeveloped fixed-line network by emphasising their ability to offer a fast, high-quality service with nationwide coverage. At more than 42%, El Salvador's mobile penetration is lower than the Latin American average, but is remarkably high considering the country's low GDP per capita. The mobile market is served by five competing operators, and there are about three times as many mobile phones as fixed lines in service. With a budding VoIP market, and cable TV telcos permitted to provide telephony and Internet, El Salvador is a promising country for convergence strategies. Two operators already offer triple play services.

Guatemala: The largest telecom market in Central America, Guatemala has been held back by poverty, income inequality, and violence. The distribution of income in Guatemala is highly unequal, with around 75% of the population below the poverty line. The telephone system reflects this inequality, with a relatively modern network centred in Guatemala City, but one of the lowest teledensity rates in the region. Outside the capital, the rest of the country's fixed-line infrastructure is inadequate and antiquated, though much improved since the telecom sector was liberalised in 1996. Mobile telephony is the fastest growing market. There are about four times as many mobile phones as fixed lines in service. While mobile penetration is about 20% lower than the Latin American average, it is remarkably high considering that the country's GDP per capita is roughly one-half that of the region as a whole.

Honduras: One of the poorest countries in the Latin America, Honduras has one of the least developed telecom infrastructures and the fourth lowest teledensity in the region. Fixed-line telephony was officially opened to competition in December 2005. A New Telecom Law governing full liberalisation, however, has been delayed due to political controversy over the role of Empresa Hondurea de Telecomunicaciones (Hondutel), the state-owned national telecom provider. Efforts to privatise the incumbent have so far failed to come to fruition, and are awaiting the New Telecom Law to be passed. Two companies compete in the mobile market: Millicom's Tigo and Amrica Mvil's Claro. Unsatisfied demand for basic telephony has driven a veritable boom in the mobile market, with annual growth rates of around 80%.

Nicaragua: With the second lowest fixed-line teledensity in Latin America (after Haiti), Nicaragua is one of a growing list of countries leapfrogging directly into mobile communications. Nicaragua's mobile phones exceed the number of fixed lines in service by almost seven to one. In fact, while Nicaragua's fixed-line teledensity is the second lowest in Latin America, its mobile penetration is the fifth lowest, surpassing Honduras, Peru, Haiti, and Cuba. Since 2004, the country's mobile market has been growing at an average annual rate of approximately 60%. Liberalisation of the fixed-line market is still awaiting proper implementation, having been delayed by political and legal wrangles. Amrica Mvil's Enitel holds a virtual monopoly over the country's fixed lines. The mobile market, on the other hand, is a lively duopoly between Telefnica's Movistar and Amrica Mvil's Claro, the latter clearly in the lead with a 70% market share.

Panama: With significant telecom infrastructure, a liberalised market, and serviced by five global fibre optic cables, Panama is an attractive country for telecom investments, especially following the October 2006 decision to broaden the Panama Canal. Competition, however, is slow to develop in basic telephony, where the incumbent Cable & Wireless Panam (C&WP) is reluctant to unbundle its local network, but the long distance sector has attracted several players, leading to huge price drops, especially in international calls. During 2006, C&WP was the Panamanian public services company that incurred the most complaints. Its mobile unit, trading as +Movil, has a 50% share of the mobile market; Telefnica's Movistar has the other 50%. In the Internet market, although penetration is still low, dial-up and ADSL connections are developing at a fast pace; growth potential in this sector is excellent. The leading cable TV company, Cable Onda, has started to offer Triple Play services (converged broadband, telephony and pay TV).

Content

  • 1. Belize
    • 1.1 Key statistics
    • 1.2 Telecommunications market
      • 1.2.1 Overview of Belize's telecom market
    • 1.3 Regulatory environment
      • 1.3.1 Background
      • 1.3.2 Regulatory authority
      • 1.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation
    • 1.4 Fixed network operators in Belize
      • 1.4.1 Overview of operators
      • 1.4.2 Belize Telecommunications Ltd (BTL)
    • 1.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
      • 1.5.1 National telecom network
      • 1.5.2 Infrastructure developments
      • 1.5.3 International infrastructure
    • 1.6 Internet market
      • 1.6.1 Overview
    • 1.7 Broadband market
    • 1.8 Convergence
      • 1.8.1 Overview of media convergence
      • 1.8.2 Overview of broadcasting market
    • 1.9 Mobile communications
      • 1.9.1 Overview of Belize's mobile market
      • 1.9.2 Major mobile operators
  • 2. Costa Rica
    • 2.1 Key statistics
    • 2.2 Telecommunications market
      • 2.2.1 Overview of Costa Rica's telecom market
    • 2.3 Regulatory environment
      • 2.3.1 Background
      • 2.3.2 Regulatory authority
      • 2.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation
    • 2.4 Fixed network operators in Costa Rica
      • 2.4.1 Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE)
    • 2.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
      • 2.5.1 National telecom network
      • 2.5.2 International infrastructure
      • 2.5.3 Infrastructure developments
    • 2.6 Internet market
      • 2.6.1 Overview
    • 2.7 Broadband market
      • 2.7.1 Overview
      • 2.7.2 Cable modems
      • 2.7.3 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
      • 2.7.4 Broadband over Powerline (BPL)
      • 2.7.5 Wireless broadband
    • 2.8 Convergence
      • 2.8.1 Overview of media convergence
      • 2.8.2 Cable TV (CATV)
      • 2.8.3 Satellite TV
    • 2.9 Mobile communications
      • 2.9.1 Overview of Costa Rica's mobile market
      • 2.9.2 Major mobile operators
  • 3. El Salvador
    • 3.1 Key statistics
    • 3.2 Telecommunications market
      • 3.2.1 Overview of El Salvador's telecom market
    • 3.3 Regulatory environment
      • 3.3.1 Telecommunications law
      • 3.3.2 Regulatory authority
      • 3.3.3 Privatisation of Antel
      • 3.3.4 Telecom sector liberalisation in El Salvador
    • 3.4 Fixed network operators in El Salvador
      • 3.4.1 Overview of operators
      • 3.4.2 CTE Telecom (Amrica Mvil)
      • 3.4.3 Telefnica
    • 3.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
      • 3.5.1 National telecom network
      • 3.5.2 International infrastructure
      • 3.5.3 Infrastructure developments
    • 3.6 Internet market
      • 3.6.1 Overview
    • 3.7 Broadband market
      • 3.7.1 Overview
    • 3.8 Convergence
      • 3.8.1 Overview of media convergence
      • 3.8.2 Triple play models
      • 3.8.3 Cable TV (CATV)
      • 3.8.4 Satellite TV
    • 3.9 Mobile communications
      • 3.9.1 Overview of El Salvador's mobile market
      • 3.9.2 Major mobile operators
  • 4. Guatemala
    • 4.1 Key statistics
    • 4.2 Telecommunications market
      • 4.2.1 Overview of Guatemala's telecom market
    • 4.3 Regulatory environment
      • 4.3.1 History
      • 4.3.2 Regulatory authority
      • 4.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation in Guatemala
      • 4.3.4 Privatisation of Guatel/Telgua
      • 4.3.5 Interconnection
      • 4.3.6 Foreign investments
    • 4.4 Fixed network operators in Guatemala
      • 4.4.1 Overview of operators
      • 4.4.2 Telgua (Amrica Mvil)
      • 4.4.3 TEM Guatemala
    • 4.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
      • 4.5.1 National telecom network
      • 4.5.2 International infrastructure
      • 4.5.3 Infrastructure developments
    • 4.6 Internet market
      • 4.6.1 Overview
    • 4.7 Broadband market
      • 4.7.1 Overview
      • 4.7.2 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
      • 4.7.3 WiFi
      • 4.7.4 WiMAX
      • 4.7.5 Broadband providers
    • 4.8 Convergence
      • 4.8.1 Overview of media convergence
      • 4.8.2 Triple play models
      • 4.8.3 Cable TV (CATV)
      • 4.8.4 Satellite TV
    • 4.9 Mobile communications
      • 4.9.1 Overview of Guatemala's mobile market
      • 4.9.2 Regulatory issues
      • 4.9.3 Mobile technologies
      • 4.9.4 Major mobile operators
      • 4.9.5 Mobile voice services in Guatemala
  • 5. Honduras
    • 5.1 Key statistics
    • 5.2 Telecommunications market
      • 5.2.1 Overview of the Honduran telecom market
    • 5.3 Regulatory environment
      • 5.3.1 Regulatory authority
      • 5.3.2 Privatisation
      • 5.3.3 Foreign investment
      • 5.3.4 Telecom sector liberalisation in Honduras
      • 5.3.5 'Telephony For All' program
    • 5.4 Fixed network operators in Honduras
      • 5.4.1 Empresa Hondurea de Telecomunicaciones (Hondutel)
      • 5.4.2 Multifon
      • 5.4.3 Tele+ (Comunitel)
    • 5.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
      • 5.5.1 National telecom network
      • 5.5.2 International infrastructure
      • 5.5.3 Infrastructure developments
    • 5.6 Internet market
      • 5.6.1 Overview
    • 5.7 Broadband market
      • 5.7.1 Overview
    • 5.8 Convergence
      • 5.8.1 Overview of media convergence
      • 5.8.2 Cable TV (CATV)
      • 5.8.3 Satellite TV
      • 5.8.4 Digital terrestrial TV
    • 5.9 Mobile communications
      • 5.9.1 Overview of the Honduran mobile market
      • 5.9.2 Major mobile operators
  • 6. Nicaragua
    • 6.1 Key statistics
    • 6.2 Telecommunications market
      • 6.2.1 Overview of Nicaragua's telecom market
    • 6.3 Regulatory environment
      • 6.3.1 Background
      • 6.3.2 Regulatory authority
      • 6.3.3 Privatisation
      • 6.3.4 Telecom sector liberalisation in Nicaragua
    • 6.4 Fixed network operators in Nicaragua
      • 6.4.1 Empresa Nicaragense de Telecomunicaciones (Enitel)
      • 6.4.2 Movistar (Telefnica)
    • 6.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
      • 6.5.1 National telecom network
      • 6.5.2 International infrastructure
      • 6.5.3 Infrastructure developments
    • 6.6 Internet market
      • 6.6.1 Overview
    • 6.7 Broadband market
      • 6.7.1 Overview
    • 6.8 Convergence
      • 6.8.1 Overview of media convergence
      • 6.8.2 Cable TV (CATV)
      • 6.8.3 Satellite TV
    • 6.9 Mobile communications
      • 6.9.1 Overview of Nicaragua's mobile market
      • 6.9.2 Major mobile operators
      • 6.9.3 Satellite mobile
  • 7. Panama
    • 7.1 Key statistics
    • 7.2 Telecommunications market
      • 7.2.1 Overview of Panama's telecom market
    • 7.3 Regulatory environment
      • 7.3.1 Regulatory authority
      • 7.3.2 Privatisation of INTEL
      • 7.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation
      • 7.3.4 Number portability (NP)
    • 7.4 Fixed network operators in Panama
      • 7.4.1 Cable & Wireless Panam
      • 7.4.2 Telecarrier
      • 7.4.3 Galaxy Communications Corp (ClaroCOM)
      • 7.4.4 Advanced Communication Network
      • 7.4.5 Optynex Telecom
    • 7.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
      • 7.5.1 National telecom network
      • 7.5.2 International infrastructure
      • 7.5.3 Infrastructure developments
    • 7.6 Internet market
      • 7.6.1 Overview
    • 7.7 Broadband market
      • 7.7.1 Overview
    • 7.8 Convergence
      • 7.8.1 Overview of media convergence
      • 7.8.2 Triple play models
      • 7.8.3 Cable TV (CATV)
      • 7.8.4 Satellite TV
    • 7.9 Mobile communications
      • 7.9.1 Overview of Panama's mobile market
      • 7.9.2 Major mobile operators
  • 8. Glossary Of Abbreviations
  • List Of Exhibits
    • Exhibit 1 - Major submarine cable networks links in Belize
    • Exhibit 2 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Costa Rica
    • Exhibit 3 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Guatemala
    • Exhibit 4 - BellSouth Guatemala - history
    • Exhibit 5 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Honduras
    • Exhibit 6 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Nicaragua
    • Exhibit 7 - Al PCS - history
    • Exhibit 8 - Enitel Movil - history
    • Exhibit 9 - Major submarine cable networks serving the Caribbean region
  • List Of Tables
    • Table 1 - Country statistics Belize - 2005
    • Table 2 - Telephone network statistics - March 2006
    • Table 3 - Internet user statistics - 2005
    • Table 4 - Broadband statistics - March 2006
    • Table 5 - Mobile statistics - June 2006
    • Table 6 - National telecommunications authorities
    • Table 7 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2006
    • Table 8 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1996 - 2005
    • Table 9 - BTL high-speed Internet subscribers, annual change & household penetration - 2005 - 2006
    • Table 10 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1999 - 2006
    • Table 11 - BTL mobile subscribers & annual change - 2004 - 2006
    • Table 12 - SpeedNet mobile subscribers & annual change - 2005 - 2006
    • Table 13 - Country statistics Costa Rica - 2005
    • Table 14 - Telephone network statistics - 2005
    • Table 15 - Internet user statistics - June 2006
    • Table 16 - Broadband statistics - 2005
    • Table 17 - Mobile statistics - June 2006
    • Table 18 - National telecommunications authorities
    • Table 19 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2005
    • Table 20 - Public payphones and annual change - 2000 - 2005
    • Table 21 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1997 - 2006
    • Table 22 - Broadband subscribers, annual change and household penetration - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 23 - Broadband market share by technology - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 24 - Cable modem subscribers, annual change and household penetration - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 25 - ADSL subscribers, annual change and household penetration - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 26 - Mobile subscribers by operator, technology and annual change - June 2006
    • Table 27 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1998 - 2006
    • Table 28 - Country statistics El Salvador - 2006
    • Table 29 - Telephone network statistics - June 2006
    • Table 30 - Internet user statistics - 2005
    • Table 31 - Mobile statistics - June 2006
    • Table 32 - National telecommunications authorities
    • Table 33 - Telecom fixed lines in service and annual change - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 34 - Telefnica fixed and fixed-wireless lines in service and annual change - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 35 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2006
    • Table 36 - Public payphones and annual change - 1998 - 2006
    • Table 37 - Internet users, annual change and penetration - 1996 - 2005
    • Table 38 - Internet subscribers, annual change and penetration - 2000 - 2005
    • Table 39 - Mobile subscribers by operator, technology and annual change - June 2006
    • Table 40 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1998 - 2006
    • Table 41 - Mobile operators' market share - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 42 - Prepaid/postpaid ratio - 2002 - 2006
    • Table 43 - Claro - mobile subscribers and annual change - 2002 - 2006
    • Table 44 - Telemvil mobile subscribers and annual change - 1996 - 2006
    • Table 45 - Movistar mobile subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 46 - Digicel mobile subscribers and annual change - 2002 - 2006
    • Table 47 - Country statistics Guatemala - 2006
    • Table 48 - Telephone network statistics - June 2006
    • Table 49 - Internet user statistics - 2005
    • Table 50 - Mobile statistics - June 2006
    • Table 51 - National telecommunications authorities
    • Table 52 - Fixed line market share by operator - 2002 - 2006
    • Table 53 - Fixed lines in service, teledensity and annual change - 1996 - 2006
    • Table 54 - Public and community phones - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 55 - Internet users, penetration and annual change - 1997 - 2005
    • Table 56 - Mobile subscribers by operator, technology and annual change - June 2006
    • Table 57 - Mobile subscribers, penetration and annual change - 1997 - 2006
    • Table 58 - Mobile operators' market share - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 59 - Claro subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 60 - Comcel subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 61 - Movistar subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 62 - Prepaid/postpaid ratio - 2002 - 2006
    • Table 63 - Country statistics Honduras - 2006
    • Table 64 - Telecom revenue and investment statistics - 2005
    • Table 65 - Telephone network statistics - June 2006
    • Table 66 - Internet user statistics - 2005
    • Table 67 - Mobile statistics - June 2006
    • Table 68 - National telecommunications authorities
    • Table 69 - Number of licensed operators - 2006
    • Table 70 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1997 - 2006
    • Table 71 - Public telephones and annual change - 1997 - 2005
    • Table 72 - Internet users, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2005
    • Table 73 - Internet subscribers, annual change and penetration - 2002 - 2005
    • Table 74 - Pay TV subscribers and annual change - 2002 - 2005
    • Table 75 - Mobile subscribers by operator and technology and annual change - June 2006
    • Table 76 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2006
    • Table 77 - Mobile operators' market share - 2002 - 2006
    • Table 78 - Prepaid/postpaid ratio - 1997 - 2005
    • Table 79 - Tigo subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 80 - Claro subscribers and annual change - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 81 - Country statistics Nicaragua - 2006
    • Table 82 - Telephone network statistics - March 2006
    • Table 83 - Internet user statistics - 2005
    • Table 84 - Broadband statistics - 2005
    • Table 85 - Mobile statistics - September 2006
    • Table 86 - National telecommunications authorities
    • Table 87 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2006
    • Table 88 - Public phones and annual change - 1998 - 2006
    • Table 89 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1997 - 2005
    • Table 90 - Internet subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2005
    • Table 91 - Internet market share by technology - 2000 - 2005
    • Table 92 - Mobile subscribers by operator and technology and annual growth - June 2006
    • Table 93 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 94 - Operators' mobile market share - 2004 - 2006
    • Table 95 - Postpaid/prepaid ratio - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 96 - Claro subscribers and annual change - 2004 - 2006
    • Table 97 - Movistar subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2006
    • Table 98 - Country statistics Panama - 2006
    • Table 99 - Telephone network statistics - 2005
    • Table 100 - Internet user statistics - 2005
    • Table 101 - Broadband statistics - 2005
    • Table 102 - Mobile statistics - June 2006
    • Table 103 - National telecommunications authorities
    • Table 104 - Number of telecom concessions - March 2006
    • Table 105 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1998 - 2005
    • Table 106 - Public telephones and annual change - 1998 - 2005
    • Table 107 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1996 - 2005
    • Table 108 - Dial-up subscribers, annual change and household penetration - 1998 - 2005
    • Table 109 - Broadband subscribers by technology, annual change and penetration - 1998 - 2005
    • Table 110 - Mobile subscribers by operator and technology and annual growth - June 2006
    • Table 111 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2006
    • Table 112 - Operators' mobile market share - 2003 - 2006
    • Table 113 - Postpaid/prepaid ratio - 1998 - 2005
    • Table 114 - Movistar subscribers and annual change - 2004 - 2006

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