Competition Stings Morocco’s Telecom Incumbent, finds Pyramid Research

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts -

Morocco’s telecommunications market will be marked by an increase in competition in both fixed and mobile segments during the next five years, leaving incumbent Maroc Telecom to deal with the mounting pressure, according to the latest report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network (www.lightreading.com).

Communications Markets in Morocco offers a precise, incisive profile of the country’s converged telecommunications, media, and technology sectors based on proprietary data from our research in the Moroccan market. The 28-page report provides detailed competitive analysis of both the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services, and monitors the introduction and spread of new technologies such as WiMax, IPTV, and VoIP. This executive study provides a comprehensive view of the Moroccan communications market by analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities, and assessing upcoming risks factors. Download an excerpt of this report here: www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18&sc=PR091709_CIRMORO

Morocco’s telecom market total revenue will increase by a 4.9 percent CAGR over the next five years, from an estimated US$4.1 billion in 2009 to US$5.1 billion in 2014, notes Badii Kechiche, analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report. “However, the entry of Wana to the mobile market in 2008 and its competitive offers are proving disruptive to market dynamics,” he says. “Also, new commercial initiatives and promotions at the beginning of 2009 are helping Meditel boost its market share, leaving Maroc Telecom to bear the cost of declining overall growth,” he adds.

“The new environment is expected to significantly affect Maroc Telecom’s share of revenue,” says Kechiche. “The incumbent’s share of revenue is expected to decrease by 19 percent over the next five years, reaching 57 percent by 2014; in the meantime, Wana will witness a significant increase in its revenue share, with expected revenue of US$890 million in 2014, up from an expected US$400 million in 2009.” Wana’s large base of fixed subscribers, the expected launch of GSM services to complement its CDMA coverage and the operator’s strong hold on the mobile broadband market will be the main drivers for the increased revenue share.

Pyramid expects the introduction of new investors will boost Meditel’s already strong performance on the mobile side and a continued focus on the corporate segment on the fixed side. “Meditel’s revenue will reach US$1.1 billion by 2014, from US$710 million in 2009; in order to deal with the increasing pressure, Maroc Telecom focused its efforts on high ARPS and business subscribers by introducing very competitive international calling rates and prepaid bundles,” Kechiche says.

Communications Markets in Morocco is part of Pyramid Research’s Africa & the Middle East Country Intelligence Report Series. Pyramid Research’s premium Country Intelligence Reports are the industry’s best available analysis on market trends, regulatory environments, and competitive dynamics for 60 countries worldwide. Download an excerpt of this report here: www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18&sc=PR091709_CIRMORO

Communications Markets in Morocco is priced at US$990 and can be purchased online here: www.pyramidresearch.com/store/CIRMOROCCO.htm?sc=PR091709_CIRMORO or through Amalia Vega via email at avega@pyr.com or telephone at +1-809-330-4520.

For more information about Pyramid Research’s products and services, please visit www.pyr.com or contact us at info@pyr.com.

About Pyramid Research

Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com) offers practical solutions to the complex demands our clients face in the telecommunications, media and technology industries. Our analysis is uniquely positioned at the intersection of emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models, powered by the bottom-up methodology of our market forecasts for over 100 countries — a distinction that has remained unmatched for more than 25 years. As the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network, Pyramid Research works with Heavy Reading, providing the communications industry’s most comprehensive market data, trusted research and insightful technology analysis.

About Light Reading

Founded in 2000, Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) is the leading online media, research, and focused event company serving the US$3 trillion worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading’s research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20 targeted communications events including TelcoTV, Ethernet Expo New York and Ethernet Expo London, The Tower Summit @ CTIA, and Optical Expo, as well as focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and operates as a unit of TechWeb.

About TechWeb

TechWeb (techweb.com/aboutus), the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today, more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events, Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat, and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, and Wall Street & Technology magazines. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services including next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than US$2.5 billion.

*13.3 million business decision-makers: based on number of monthly connections

About United Business Media Limited

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM’s businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities — from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists — with integrated events, online, print, and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

Press contact: Jennifer Baker +1-617-871-1910 jbaker@pyr.com

Source: Pyramid Research

Jennifer Baker, for Pyramid Research, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker at pyr.com