2017 Morocco - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Morocco sees boost to mobile number portings

Morocco retains one of the most advanced telecom markets in Africa. The part-privatised incumbent telco Maroc Telecom remains the dominant player in the fixed-line sector but has effective competition in the mobile sector. The mobile market has three operators providing effective competition. A key regional player, Orange Group, entered the market through the acquisition of a major stake in the telco Médi Telecom (Méditel), which has since been rebranded as Orange Morocco.

The country also has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in the region as well as some of the lowest prices for internet access, despite there being relatively little competition in the fixed-line broadband sector. The number of fixed-line broadband subscribers remains far lower than that for mobile broadband internet accesses. To accommodate the increasing voice and internet traffic, operators have upgraded their fibre optic national backbone networks and international connectivity. In combination with upgraded fibre backhaul, LTE services launched in mid-2015 have facilitated the take-up of mobile broadband in regional areas, and so contributed to the governments aims as drawn up in its National Broadband Plan to 2022. Investment in this infrastructure, and the fast subscriber take-up, will further consolidate the dominance in mobile players in the broadband sector.

This report analyses Morocco’s telecom sector, including market statistics, assessments of recent regulatory measures and operator profiles. The report covers the fixed-line voice and broadband sectors as well as fixed-wireless broadband. It also assesses the mobile voice and data markets, detailing the three key operators and their strategies as they migrate to a data-centric environment.

Key developments:

• Government progresses with several key telecom projects;
• new cable connecting Mali and Morocco comes online;
• Amendment to Telecommunications Act aimed at giving greater powers to the regulator;
• National Broadband Plan to 2022 making progress;
• MNP process amended to hasten number portings;
• Maroc Telecom launches LTE-A services;
• Etisalat sells its West African mobile operations to Maroc Telecom for €650 million;
• New SIM card registration regulations take effect;
• Inwi to integrate satellite services from the Intelsat EpicNG platform into its network;
• Maroc Telecom expands FttP service
• Report updates include the regulator’s market data to Q2 2017, telcos’ operating data to Q3 2017, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Maroc Telecom (Menara, IAM), Orange Morocco (Médi Telecom, Méditel), Inwi (Wana, Maroc Connect), Vivendi, Zain, Morocco Trade and Development Services (MTDS).