Abstract
The Central American countries are Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, all of which are small countries with generally low GDP per capita but with considerable scope for development in all telecom sectors. This annual report offers a wealth of information on the trends and developments in fixed-line telephony, mobile telephony, Internet, broadband, digital TV, and converging media including VoIP and IPTV developments.
Subjects include:
- Key statistics and forecasts;
- Market and industry overviews;
- Government policies and regulatory issues;
- Historical information;
- Major players (fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and pay TV);
- Telecom infrastructure (national and international, fixed and wireless);
- Mobile voice and data markets;
- Internet market and VoIP;
- Broadband (DSL, cable, wireless);
- Convergence, pay TV, and developments in digital TV.
Table of Contents
1. Belize
- 1.1 Key statistics
- 1.2 Telecommunications market
- 1.2.1 Overview of Belize' s telecom market
- 1.3 Regulatory environment
- 1.3.1 Background
- 1.3.2 Regulatory authority
- 1.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation
- 1.4 Telecom network operators in Belize
- 1.4.1 Overview of operators
- 1.4.2 Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)
- 1.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 1.5.1 National telecom networks
- 1.5.2 Infrastructure developments
- 1.5.3 International infrastructure
- 1.6 Internet market
- 1.6.1 Overview
- 1.7 Broadband market
- 1.8 Convergence
- 1.8.1 Overview of media convergence
- 1.8.2 Overview of broadcasting market
- 1.9 Mobile communications
- 1.9.1 Overview of Belize' s mobile market
- 1.9.2 Mobile technologies and data services
- 1.9.3 Major mobile operators
2. Costa Rica
- 2.1 Key statistics
- 2.2 Telecommunications market
- 2.2.1 Overview of Costa Rica' s telecom market
- 2.3 Regulatory environment
- 2.3.1 Background
- 2.3.2 Regulatory authority
- 2.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation
- 2.3.4 DR-CAFTA
- 2.4 Telecom network operators in Costa Rica
- 2.4.1 ICE
- 2.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 2.5.1 National telecom networks
- 2.5.2 International infrastructure
- 2.5.3 Infrastructure developments
- 2.6 Internet market
- 2.6.1 Overview
- 2.7 Broadband market
- 2.7.1 Overview
- 2.7.2 Cable modems
- 2.7.3 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
- 2.7.4 Broadband over Powerline (BPL)
- 2.7.5 Wireless broadband
- 2.8 Convergence
- 2.8.1 Overview of media convergence
- 2.8.2 Cable TV (CATV)
- 2.8.3 Satellite TV
- 2.9 Mobile communications
- 2.9.1 Overview of Costa Rica' s mobile market
- 2.9.2 Mobile technologies and data services
- 2.9.3 Major mobile operators
3. El Salvador
- 3.1 Key statistics
- 3.2 Telecommunications market
- 3.2.1 Overview of El Salvador' s telecom market
- 3.3 Regulatory environment
- 3.3.1 Telecommunications law
- 3.3.2 Regulatory authority
- 3.3.3 Privatisation of Antel
- 3.3.4 Telecom sector liberalisation in El Salvador
- 3.3.5 DR-CAFTA
- 3.4 Telecom network operators in El Salvador
- 3.4.1 Overview of operators
- 3.4.2 CTE Telecom (America Movil)
- 3.4.3 Telefonica
- 3.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 3.5.1 National telecom networks
- 3.5.2 International infrastructure
- 3.5.3 Infrastructure developments
- 3.6 Internet market
- 3.6.1 Overview
- 3.7 Broadband market
- 3.7.1 Overview
- 3.7.2 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
- 3.7.3 WiMAX
- 3.8 Convergence
- 3.8.1 Overview of media convergence
- 3.8.2 Cable TV
- 3.8.3 Satellite TV
- 3.9 Mobile communications
- 3.9.1 Overview of El Salvador' s mobile market
- 3.9.2 Mobile technologies and data services
- 3.9.3 Major mobile operators
4. Guatemala
- 4.1 Key statistics
- 4.2 Telecommunications market
- 4.2.1 Overview of Guatemala' s telecom market
- 4.3 Regulatory environment
- 4.3.1 History
- 4.3.2 Regulatory authority
- 4.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation in Guatemala
- 4.3.4 Privatisation of Guatel/Telgua
- 4.3.5 DR-CAFTA
- 4.3.6 Interconnection
- 4.3.7 Foreign investments
- 4.4 Telecom network operators in Guatemala
- 4.4.1 Overview of operators
- 4.4.2 Telgua (America Movil)
- 4.4.3 TEM Guatemala (Telefonica)
- 4.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 4.5.1 National telecom networks
- 4.5.2 International infrastructure
- 4.5.3 Infrastructure developments
- 4.6 Internet market
- 4.6.1 Overview
- 4.7 Broadband market
- 4.7.1 Overview
- 4.7.2 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
- 4.7.3 WiFi
- 4.7.4 WiMAX
- 4.7.5 Broadband providers
- 4.8 Convergence
- 4.8.1 Overview of media convergence
- 4.8.2 Cable TV
- 4.8.3 Satellite TV
- 4.9 Mobile communications
- 4.9.1 Overview of Guatemala' s mobile market
- 4.9.2 Mobile technologies and data services
- 4.9.3 Major mobile operators
- 4.9.4 Mobile voice services in Guatemala
5. Honduras
- 5.1 Key statistics
- 5.2 Telecommunications market
- 5.2.1 Overview of Honduran telecom market
- 5.3 Regulatory environment
- 5.3.1 Regulatory authority
- 5.3.2 Privatisation
- 5.3.3 DR-CAFTA
- 5.3.4 Foreign investment
- 5.3.5 Telecom sector liberalisation in Honduras
- 5.3.6 ‘Telephony For All' program
- 5.4 Telecom network operators in Honduras
- 5.4.1 Hondutel
- 5.4.2 Multifon
- 5.4.3 Tele+ (Comunitel)
- 5.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 5.5.1 National telecom networks
- 5.5.2 International infrastructure
- 5.5.3 Infrastructure developments
- 5.6 Internet market
- 5.6.1 Overview
- 5.7 Broadband market
- 5.7.1 Overview
- 5.8 Convergence
- 5.8.1 Overview of media convergence
- 5.8.2 Cable TV
- 5.8.3 Satellite TV
- 5.8.4 Digital terrestrial TV
- 5.9 Mobile communications
- 5.9.1 Overview of the Honduran mobile market
- 5.9.2 Mobile technologies and data services
- 5.9.3 Major mobile operators
6. Nicaragua
- 6.1 Key statistics
- 6.2 Telecommunications market
- 6.2.1 Overview of Nicaragua' s telecom market
- 6.3 Regulatory environment
- 6.3.1 Background
- 6.3.2 Regulatory authority
- 6.3.3 Privatisation
- 6.3.4 Telecom sector liberalisation in Nicaragua
- 6.3.5 DR-CAFTA
- 6.4 Telecom network operators in Nicaragua
- 6.4.1 Enitel
- 6.4.2 Movistar (Telefonica)
- 6.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 6.5.1 National telecom networks
- 6.5.2 International infrastructure
- 6.5.3 Infrastructure developments
- 6.6 Internet market
- 6.6.1 Overview
- 6.7 Broadband market
- 6.7.1 Overview
- 6.8 Convergence
- 6.8.1 Overview of media convergence
- 6.8.2 Cable TV (CATV)
- 6.8.3 Satellite TV
- 6.9 Mobile communications
- 6.9.1 Overview of Nicaragua' s mobile market
- 6.9.2 Mobile technologies and data services
- 6.9.3 Major mobile operators
- 6.9.4 Satellite mobile
7. Panama
- 7.1 Key statistics
- 7.2 Telecommunications market
- 7.2.1 Overview of Panama' s telecom market
- 7.3 Regulatory environment
- 7.3.1 Regulatory authority
- 7.3.2 Privatisation of INTEL
- 7.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation
- 7.3.4 Number portability
- 7.3.5 Free Trade Agreement
- 7.4 Telecom network operators in Panama
- 7.4.1 Cable & Wireless Panama
- 7.4.2 Telecarrier
- 7.4.3 Galaxy Communications Corp (ClaroCOM)
- 7.4.4 Advanced Communication Network
- 7.4.5 Optynex Telecom
- 7.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
- 7.5.1 National telecom networks
- 7.5.2 International infrastructure
- 7.5.3 Infrastructure developments
- 7.6 Internet market
- 7.6.1 Overview
- 7.7 Broadband market
- 7.7.1 Overview
- 7.8 Convergence
- 7.8.1 Overview of media convergence
- 7.8.2 Triple play models
- 7.8.3 Cable TV
- 7.8.4 Satellite TV
- 7.8.5 IPTV (Broadband TV)
- 7.9 Mobile communications
- 7.9.1 Overview of Panama' s mobile market
- 7.9.2 Spectrum auction - March 2008
- 7.9.3 Mobile technologies and data services
- 7.9.4 Major mobile operators
- 7.10 Forecasts
- 7.10.1 Forecasts - fixed-line market to 2017
- 7.10.2 Forecasts - mobile services to 2017
8. Glossary of Abbreviations
TABLES:
- Table 1 - Country statistics Belize - 2008
- Table 2 - Telephone network statistics - 2007
- Table 3 - Internet user statistics - 2007
- Table 4 - Broadband statistics - 2007
- Table 5 - Mobile statistics - 2007
- Table 6 - National telecommunications authority
- Table 7 - BTL - Fixed lines, annual change, and payphones - 2002 - 2007
- Table 8 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2007
- Table 9 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1996 - 2007
- Table 10 - BTL high-speed Internet subscribers, annual change and penetration - 2005 - 2007
- Table 11 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1999 - 2007
- Table 12 - Mobile market share by operator - 2005 - 2007
- Table 13 - BTL mobile subscribers and annual change - 2004 - 2007
- Table 14 - SpeedNet mobile subscribers and annual change - 2005 - 2007
- Table 15 - Country statistics Costa Rica - 2008
- Table 16 - Telephone network statistics - 2007
- Table 17 - Internet user statistics - 2007
- Table 18 - Broadband statistics - 2006
- Table 19 - Mobile statistics - September 2007
- Table 20 - National telecommunications authority
- Table 21 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2007
- Table 22 - Public payphones and annual change - 2000 - 2006
- Table 23 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1997 - 2007
- Table 24 - Dial-up subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2006
- Table 25 - Broadband subscribers, per capita and household penetration - 2000 - 2006
- Table 26 - Broadband market share by technology - 2003 - 2006
- Table 27 - Cable modem subscribers, annual change and household penetration - 2000 - 2006
- Table 28 - ADSL subscribers, annual change and household penetration - 2003 - 2006
- Table 29 - Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change - September 2007
- Table 30 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1998 - 2007
- Table 31 - Country statistics El Salvador - 2008
- Table 32 - Telephone network statistics - June 2007
- Table 33 - Internet user statistics - 2006
- Table 34 - Broadband statistics - June 2007
- Table 35 - Mobile statistics - June 2006
- Table 36 - National telecommunications authority
- Table 37 - Telecom - fixed lines in service and annual change - 2003 - 2007
- Table 38 - Telefonica - fixed and fixed-wireless lines in service - 2003 - 2007
- Table 39 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2007
- Table 40 - Public payphones and annual change - 1998 - 2007
- Table 41 - Internet users, annual change and penetration - 1996 - 2006
- Table 42 - Broadband subscribers, penetration and household penetration - 2003 - 2007
- Table 43 - ADSL subscribers and annual change - 2003 - 2007
- Table 44 - Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change - September 2007
- Table 45 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1998 - 2007
- Table 46 - Mobile operators' market share - 2003 - 2007
- Table 47 - Prepaid/postpaid ratio - 2002 - 2007
- Table 48 - Claro mobile subscribers and annual change - 2002 - 2007
- Table 49 - Telemovil mobile subscribers and annual change - 1996 - 2007
- Table 50 - Movistar mobile subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2007
- Table 51 - Digicel mobile subscribers and annual change - 2002 - 2007
- Table 52 - RED mobile subscribers and annual change - 2005 - 2007
- Table 53 - Country statistics Guatemala - 2008
- Table 54 - Telephone network statistics - June 2007
- Table 55 - Internet user statistics - 2006
- Table 56 - Broadband statistics - 2006
- Table 57 - Mobile statistics - September 2007
- Table 58 - National telecommunications authority
- Table 59 - Fixed lines in service - market share by operator - 2002 - 2007
- Table 60 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2007
- Table 61 - Public and community phones - 2003 - 2007
- Table 62 - Internet users, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2006
- Table 63 - Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change - September 2007
- Table 64 - Mobile subscribers, penetration and annual change - 1997 - 2007
- Table 65 - Mobile operators' market share - 2000 - 2007
- Table 66 - Claro subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2007
- Table 67 - Comcel - subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2007
- Table 68 - Movistar subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2007
- Table 69 - Prepaid/postpaid ratio - 2002 - 2007
- Table 70 - Country statistics Honduras - 2008
- Table 71 - Telephone network statistics - September 2007
- Table 72 - Internet user statistics - 2006
- Table 73 - Mobile statistics - September 2007
- Table 74 - National telecommunications authority
- Table 75 - Market share of fixed lines in service - 2003 - 2007
- Table 76 - Number of operators: fixed, mobile, data, ISP and CATV markets - 2004 - 2006
- Table 77 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1997 - 2007
- Table 78 - Public telephones and annual change - 1997 - 2006
- Table 79 - Internet users, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2006
- Table 80 - Internet subscribers, annual change, and penetration - 2002 - 2006
- Table 81 - Pay TV subscribers and annual change - 2002 - 2006
- Table 82 - Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change - September 2007
- Table 83 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2007
- Table 84 - Mobile operators' market share - 2002 - 2007
- Table 85 - Prepaid/postpaid ratio - 1997 - 2006
- Table 86 - Tigo subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2007
- Table 87 - Claro subscribers and annual change - 2003 - 2007
- Table 88 - Country statistics Nicaragua - 2008
- Table 89 - Telephone network statistics - 2006
- Table 90 - Internet user statistics - 2006
- Table 91 - Broadband statistics - 2006
- Table 92 - Mobile statistics - September 2007
- Table 93 - National telecommunications authority
- Table 94 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1996 - 2006
- Table 95 - Public phones and annual change - 1998 - 2007
- Table 96 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1997 - 2006
- Table 97 - Internet subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2006
- Table 98 - Internet market share by technology - 2000 - 2006
- Table 99 - Broadband subscribers, penetration and household penetration - 2000 - 2006
- Table 100 - Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change - September 2007
- Table 101 - Mobile subscribers and penetration - 2000 - 2007
- Table 102 - Operators' mobile market share - 2004 - 2007
- Table 103 - Postpaid/prepaid ratio - 2003 - 2007
- Table 104 - Claro subscribers and annual change - 2002 - 2007
- Table 105 - Movistar subscribers and annual change - 2000 - 2007
- Table 106 - Country statistics Panama - 2008
- Table 107 - Telephone network statistics - 2006
- Table 108 - Internet user statistics - 2006
- Table 109 - Broadband statistics - 2006
- Table 110 - Mobile statistics - September 2007
- Table 111 - National telecommunications authority
- Table 112 - Number of telecom concessions - March 2007
- Table 113 - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity - 1998 - 2006
- Table 114 - Public telephones and annual change - 1998 - 2006
- Table 115 - Internet users, annual change and user penetration - 1996 - 2006
- Table 116 - Dial-up subscribers, per capita and household penetration - 1998 - 2006
- Table 117 - C&WP ADSL subscribers and annual change - 2004 - 2007
- Table 118 - Broadband subscribers, per capita and household penetration - 1998 - 2006
- Table 119 - Broadband subscriber ratios by technology - 2000 - 2006
- Table 120 - Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change - September 2007
- Table 121 - Mobile subscribers, annual change and penetration - 1997 - 2007
- Table 122 - Operators' mobile market share - 2003 - 2007
- Table 123 - Postpaid/prepaid ratio - 1998 - 2006
- Table 124 - Forecast fixed-line subscribers - weaker market growth scenario - 2007; 2012; 2017
- Table 125 - Forecast fixed-line subscribers - stronger market growth scenario - 2007; 2012; 2017
- Table 126 - Forecast mobile subscribers - weaker market growth scenario - 2007; 2012; 2017
- Table 127 - Forecast mobile subscribers - stronger market growth scenario - 2007; 2012; 2017
EXHIBITS:
- Exhibit 1 - Belize Telecommunications Ltd - history prior to 2005
- Exhibit 2 - Belize Telecommunications Ltd - ownership disputes
- Exhibit 3 - Major submarine cable networks links in Belize
- Exhibit 4 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Costa Rica
- Exhibit 5 - Americatel versus CTE
- Exhibit 6 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Guatemala
- Exhibit 7 - BellSouth Guatemala history
- Exhibit 8 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Honduras
- Exhibit 9 - Major submarine cable networks connecting Nicaragua
- Exhibit 10 - Alo PCS history
- Exhibit 11 - Enitel Movil history
- Exhibit 12 - Movistar history
- Exhibit 13 - Major submarine cable networks serving Panama







































