Increasing Broadband Internet Penetration
In the OIC Member Countries
106
As a result, the market structure as of 2Q2016 consists of three subsidiaries of global players
(see table 49).
Table 49: Cote d’Ivoire: Mobile broadband market structure (2Q2016)
MNC Number of Subscribers Market Share
(by Subscribers) (%) Orange Orange Group 2,707,779 36.11
MTN MTN Group 3,505,557 46.75
MOOV Maroc Telecom 1,285,251 17.14
Total 7,498,587 100
Source: Autorité de régulation des télécommunications/TIC de Cote d’Ivoire; GSMA Intelligence; Telecom Advisory
Services analysisIn this context, the government has sought to reconfigure the mobile sector as a four-player
market, by means of introducing a new convergent player capable of supporting mobile and
fixed telephony, data transmission and Internet access. In September of 2016, the fourth
convergent license was given to the Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information
Technology Company46. This move intended to foster competition is not yet reflected in the
market’s competitive intensity, since the entry of the new operator is planned for 201747.
In addition, to further stimulate competition the government has been promoting the entry of
Mobile Virtual Network Operators. Youmee, the fixed broadband player, is in negotiations with
Orange to launch service48.
State of competition in broadband marketAs a result of exits and entries that took place in the last year, the Ivorian market is composed
of two convergent players (Orange and MTN) and one pure mobile play (Moov). As of May
2016, Orange signed an agreement with the Ivorian government to merge the assets of CI-
Telecom (a jointly owned company between Orange and the government of Cote d’Ivoire) and
Orange mobile. After the merger, the government’s position in the new entity will be of 31%,
the remainder being in the hands of Orange49.
Similarly, MTN is present in the wireline, fixed and mobile broadband segments. The
convergent license assigned to Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology
Company is currently under implementation. While the forced exit of the minor wireless
players has increased the HHI index, reducing the level of competitive intensity, the entry of
the fourth player is expected to reestablish an adequate level of competition.
46 The new entrant is leveraging the assets of GreenN, the closed operator. This company was fully owned owned by the
Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (source: field trip interviews).
47 Source: field trip interviews.
48 Source: field trip interviews.
49 Telegeography. Govt, Orange strike agreement to merge fixed, mobile assets in Cote d’Ivoire. May 3, 2016.