Panama - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts

Oct. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Shake up in Panama's Internet and mobile markets
With one of the region's highest GDP growth forecast for 2010/11, the outlook is promising for Panama's telecom market. In 2010, telecom revenues are expected to exceed US$1 billion, with mobile services and broadband being the fastest growing sectors.
Panama's fixed-line teledensity is well below average for Latin America and the Caribbean; in fact, it is at least three percentage points lower than one would expect, considering the country's relatively high economic indicators. To make up for the shortfall, the number of fixed lines is increasing, albeit slowly, thanks to alternative operators using fibre-coaxial or fixed-wireless networks.
Competition is limited in the broadband sector, where incumbent Cable & Wireless Panama is reluctant to unbundle its local network and has secured a virtual monopoly in the delivery of ADSL access. The only competition is across technologies, from cable modem and WiMAX services.
The mobile sector, on the other hand, has been flourishing, with penetration well above the 100% milestone and about 30% higher than the regional average. The arrival of two new mobile players around the start of 2009 has resulted in high levels of promotional activity and steep price reductions that have shaken the market. Digicel Panama began operations in late 2008, and America Movil's Claro in early 2009. Previously, Panama's mobile market had been a duopoly between Cable & Wireless Panama and Telefonica's Movistar.
Internet penetration is expected to grow substantially in 2010/11 thanks to the government's Internet for All project. In 2010, Panama became one of the first countries in the world to offer free wireless broadband access nationwide, reaching 80% of the population. The government project, dubbed National Internet Network or Internet for All, may partly reduce the need for people to buy fixed or mobile broadband accounts, and could push providers into improving their broadband service.
However, Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli made a point of emphasising that the National Internet Network project does not compete with private broadband providers, because its aim is digital inclusion and not the provision of high-speed access. He stressed that the network offers basic Internet access only, with a speed limit of 256Kb/s in the first phase and the option to go up to 512Kb/s in the future.
Market highlights:

Mobile number portability is to be implemented in Panama by March 2011.
In November 2009, Cable Onda took over fixed-line company Telecarrier, thus improving its position in the fixed-line market.
The Internet for All or RNI project was implemented in two phases: the first phase was completed in January 2010, and the second phase in April 2010.
The RNI network provides coverage to 22 of the most important cities in Panama, where the vast majority of the population lives.
Three companies offer mobile broadband services over UMTS (WCDMA) networks: Movistar, Claro, and Cable & Wireless Panama.
In December 2009, Cable & Wireless Panama entered the pay TV sector, heavily dominated by Cable Onda.
The Panamanian government adopted the DVB standard for digital terrestrial TV in May 2009, and several channels launched digital terrestrial TV trials in the first half of 2010.Panama-key telecom parameters-2009-2010
Category20092010 (e)
Fixed-line service
Total number of subscribers1537,000550,000
Annual growth12.5%2.4%
Teledensity115.6%15.7%
Internet
Internet users (million)0.961.03
Annual growth2%7%
Internet users penetration27.8%29.4%
Broadband
Total number of subscribers201,000222,000
Annual growth3%10%
Penetration rate5.8%6.3%
Mobile telephony subscribers
Total number of subscribers (million)5.686.70
Annual growth45%18%
Mobile penetration rate164.5%191.2%
Note: 1Estimates for 2009.
Panama has excellent growth potential especially in mobile and broadband services. The report covers trends and developments in the fixed-line, mobile, Internet, broadband, and pay TV markets. Subjects include:

Market and industry analyses, trends and developments;
Facts, figures, and statistics;
Government policies and regulatory issues;
Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
Infrastructure development;
Internet and broadband market (DSL, cable modem, wireless);
Mobile market (including 3G and mobile broadband);
Scenario forecasts for the fixed-line, mobile, and broadband markets for the years 2015 and 2020.



Table of Contents  
1. Executive summary
2. Key statistics
3. Telecommunications market
3.1 Country overview
3.1.1 General outlook
3.2 Overview of Panama's telecom market
3.3 Market analysis-2010
4. Regulatory environment
4.1 Regulatory authorities
4.1.1 ASEP
4.1.2 ACODECO
4.2 Privatisation of INTEL
...

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