Research and Markets: Democratic Republic of Congo - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Report Covers Estimations of Market Penetration rates up to end of 2012

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cn4255/democratic_republi) has announced the addition of the "Democratic Republic of Congo - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband" report to their offering.

Mobile networks have taken over as the providers of basic telecom services. By 2001, some 16 private operators had been granted mobile telephony licences and the subscriber base was growing at triple digit rates per year. However, the proliferation of networks has also caused interference and compatibility problems, and there is limited available spectrum due to poor spectrum management. As a result, the mobile sector has consolidated and now has four major players: Vodacom Congo, Bharti Airtel (formerly Zain), Millicom (Tigo) and Congo Chine Telecom (CCT) in which OCPT holds 49%. The vast majority of subscribers are on prepaid plans.

Development of the Internet market has been held back by the poorly developed national and international infrastructure. The mobile operators are beginning to play a significant role in this sector as well, following the launch of mobile data services. However, no 3G mobile systems have yet been launched apart from a CDMA-EV-DO system in Kinshasa, which means that services offering true broadband speed are currently only available through relatively small wireless networks using other technologies, mainly WiMAX.

With support from China, OCPT is now finally rolling out a fibre optic national backbone that will ultimately also provide access to fibre optic submarine cables for low-cost, high-quality international bandwidth.

Market highlights:

Change of ownership in leading mobile networks;

National fibre backbone rollout and rehabilitation of fixed-line network;

Access to international fibre bandwidth expected in 2012;

WiMAX is the predominant broadband access technology;

Profiles of major players in all market sectors. Estimated market penetration rates in the DRC's telecoms sector - end 2012

Market Penetration rate:

Mobile 24%

Fixed 0.1%

Internet 1%

Companies covered:

Vodacom Congo

Bharti Airtel (Zain)

Millicom (Tigo)

Congo Chine Telecom (CCT)

Office Congolais des Postes et des Télécommunications (OCPT)

Tatem Telecom

Gecamines

AfriTel (Starcel)

Telecel International

Africanus.net

Interconnect (Vodanet)

Microcom

Cielux Telecom

Global Broadband Solution (GBS)

Afrinet

Congo Korea Telecom

Geolink

ICP Net

Orioncom

Paconet (Pan African Communication Network)

RagaNet

Roffe Hi-Tech

Sattel

Societe Internet Congolaise (SIC)

Sogetel

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cn4255/democratic_republi