Morocco - Key Statistics, Regulatory and Fixed-Line Telecoms Overviews

Morocco - Key Statistics, Regulatory and Fixed-Line Telecoms Overviews

Morocco retains one of the most advanced telecommunications markets in Africa, featuring a majority-privatised, highly profitable incumbent telco in Maroc Telecom and three fixed and mobile network operators. The country also has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the region and some of the lowest prices on the continent for broadband internet access. The fixed-line market has experienced a renaissance, following the launch of the second and third network operators (Meditel and Wana/Inwi) and fuelled by the growing demand for broadband services. Most of the new connections are wireless and increasingly converging with mobile services. To accommodate the increasing amount of voice and internet traffic, the operators are upgrading their fibre optic national backbone networks and international connectivity. Vivendi's 53% stake in Maroc Telecom was sold in November 2013, with the deal expected to be completed by mid-2014.

Key developments:

New cable connecting Mali and Morocco is lit in early 2014; Vivendi sells its 53% stake in Maroc Telecom to Etisalat; fixed-mobile convergence developments; interconnection rates fall; e-government developments; new terabit international fibre optic cable comes online; Digital Morocco 2013 strategy launched; report includes the regulator's market data to Q4 2013; market developments to March 2014.

Companies covered in this report:

Maroc Telecom, Medi Telecom (Meditel), Inwi (Wana), Vivendi, France Telecom, Zain