Niger expecting LTE service launch later in 2019
Niger is one of the largest countries in West Africa but also one of the poorest countries in the world. As with many African countries, a lack of fixed telecoms infrastructure has led to growth in mobile services. Niger’s mobile penetration is modest compared to other countries in the region, while fixed broadband penetration is negligible.
However, recent investments aimed at extending the reach of fibre-optic infrastructure in Niger will lead to improved internet networks and access. In late 2016 the country was awarded €43.9 million from the African Development Bank (ADB) to build-out the Trans-Saharan Dorsal optical fibre (SDR) network.
Following years of financial difficulties, the state-owned fixed line operator, Sonitel, was merged with its wholly owned mobile unit, SahelCom, in late 2016 to form a new entity, Niger Telecom. The merged company secured a global telecom licence in November 2017 and is aiming to develop greater efficiency through sharing resources and infrastructure.
Key developments:
Airtel Niger secures LTE licence;
Airtel Niger and Orange Niger settle tax dispute;
Government adopts three decrees aimed at developing the telecom sector; reinstates tax of telecom traffic;
Orange Group applies to extend its Orange Bank service in Niger;
Niger adopts free mobile roaming with other G5 Sahel countries;
Regulator fines network operators for failing to register SIM card owners;
Niger government contributes funds for its share of the Trans-Saharan Backbone network;
Report update includes the regulators 2018 market report, operator data to Q3 2018, recent market developments.Companies covered in this report include:
Niger Telecom (Sonitel, SahelCom), Bharti Airtel (Airtel Niger), Orange Niger, Atlantique Telecom, Moov, Maroc Telecom, Etisalat, African Development Bank.
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1. Executive Summary
2. Key statistics
3. Country overview
4. Telecommunications market
4.1 Market analysis
5. Regulatory environment
5.1 Regulatory authority
5.2 Telecom sector liberalisation
5.3 Access
5.4 Quality of Service
6. Fixed network operators
6.1 Niger telecom (Sonitel)
6.2 Orange Niger
7. Telecommunications infrastructure
7.1 Overview of the national telecom network
7.2 International infrastructure (satellite, submarine)
8. Broadband market
9. Mobile market
9.1 Mobile statistics
9.1.1 General statistics
9.1.2 Mobile broadband
9.2 Regulatory issues
9.2.1 Overview
9.2.2 Spectrum
9.2.3 SIM card registration
9.2.4 Roaming
9.3 Mobile infrastructure
9.3.1 4G (LTE)
9.3.2 GSM, 3G
9.4 Major mobile operators
9.4.1 Airtel Niger (formerly Celtel/Zain)
9.4.2 Orange Niger
9.4.3 Moov Niger
9.4.4 Niger Telecom
9.5 Mobile content and applications
9.5.1 m-banking
10. Related reports
Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities - Niger – 2018 (e)
Table 2 – Telecom sector revenue and investment – 2009 – 2018
Table 3 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 2008 – 2018
Table 4 – International internet bandwidth – 2005 – 2017
Table 5 – Internet users and penetration – 2004 – 2018
Table 6 – Fixed broadband connections by type– 2012 – 2016
Table 7 – Fixed broadband subscribers – 2004 – 2018
Table 8 – Mobile subscribers and teledensity – 2008 – 2018
Table 9 – Mobile BTS in service by operator – 2012 – 2017
Table 10 – Mobile market share of subscribers by operator – 2009 – 2018
Table 11 – Mobile market share of subscribers by operator – 2009 – 2018
Table 12 – Active mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration – 2013 – 2018
Table 13 – Fixed and mobile internet accesses – 2012 – 2018
Table 14 – Mobile internet accesses by operator – 2009 – 2016
Table 15 – Airtel Niger mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2018
Table 16 – Orange Niger revenue – 2015 – 2018
Table 17 – Orange Niger mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2018
Table 18 – Moov Niger mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2018
Table 19 – Niger Telecom mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2018
Chart 1 – Mobile subscribers and teledensity – 2008 – 2018
Exhibit 1 – Niger’s telecom operators by license and service segment
