Summary
Despite being Africa's latest exporter of oil, Chad has one of the least developed telecommunications markets in the world. Penetration rates in all market sectors-fixed, mobile and Internet-are well below African averages.
The mobile sector is growing fast under competition between two foreign-owned networks-Zain (formerly Celtel), and Millicom (Tigo). The national telco and fixed-line operator, Sotel Tchad (ST) was participating in another mobile network in partnership with Orascom Telecom until it ceased operations in 2004 over legal disputes between the shareholders.
ST is rolling out a CDMA2000 fixed-wireless system that enables it to potentially re-enter the mobile sector. The technology also holds the potential to provide broadband services with an upgrade to the EV-DO standard. Plans exist for privatisation of the company, but a time schedule has not yet been announced.
The mobile networks currently provide the only broadband-like services in the country apart from direct satellite access. Third generation mobile services have not yet been introduced.
Chad still lacks a national backbone infrastructure and international fibre access to support efficient broadband services. All long-distance connections, national and international, are currently made via satellite. However, the World Bank-funded Central African Backbone (CAB) project is set to finally bring fibre to the country in 2011.
Market highlights:
Forecasts to end-2011 for mobile, fixed-line and Internet market;
Millicom's fastest growing African market 2010;
The impact of the global economic crisis;
Profiles of major players;
Central African Backbone (CAB) and other fibre projects;
ARPU trends in local and foreign currency.Estimated market penetration rates in Chad's telecoms sector-end-2010
MarketPenetration rate
Mobile29%
Fixed0.3%
Internet2%
(Source: based on various sources)
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Chad's telecommunications market. Subjects covered include:
Key statistics;
Market and industry overviews;
The impact of the global economic crisis;
Regulatory environment and structural reform;
Major players (fixed, mobile and broadband);
Infrastructure development;
Mobile voice and data markets;
Average Revenue per User (ARPU) trends;
Internet and broadband development;
Convergence (voice/data, fixed/wireless/mobile).For those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecommunications sector in Chad, this report is essential reading and gives further information on:
One of the most underdeveloped telecom markets in the world;
Government policies affecting the telecoms industry;
Market liberalisation and regulatory issues;
Telecoms operators-privatisation, acquisitions, new licences;
Internet and broadband development;
Mobile data services;
Average Revenue per User (ARPU).
Table of Contents
1. Executive summary
2. Key statistics
2.1 Country overview
3. Telecommunications market
3.1 Overview of Chad's telecom market
3.2 Regional benchmarking
4. Regulatory environment
4.1 Telecommunications Act 1998
4.2 Regulatory authority
4.2.1 OTRT
5. Fixed-network operator in Chad
5.1 Sotel Tchad
5.1.1 Fixed-line statistics
5.1.2 Network infrastructure
5.1.3 CDMA2000 WLL
5.1.4 National backbone network
6. International infrastructure
6.1 Overview
6.2 SAT-3/WASC submarine fibre
6.3 The Central African Backbone (CAB)
6.4 Other projects
7. Internet and broadband market
7.1 Overview
7.1.1 Internet statistics
7.2 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony
8. Mobile communications
8.1 Overview of Chad's mobile market
8.1.1 Mobile statistics
8.2 Major mobile operators
8.2.1 Zain Chad (formerly Celtel)
8.2.2 Millicom Chad (Tigo)
8.2.3 Tchad Mobile (defunct)
8.3 Satellite mobile
9. Related reports
Table 1-Country statistics Chad-2010
Table 2-Fixed and fixed-wireless network statistics-2010
Table 3-Internet provider statistics-2010
Table 4-Internet user statistics-2010
Table 5-Mobile statistics-2010
Table 6-National telecommunications authority
Table 7-Fixed and fixed-wireless lines in service and teledensity-1995-2011
Table 8-International Internet bandwidth in Mb/s-1999-2009
Table 9-Internet users and penetration rate-1998-2011
Table 11-Mobile subscribers and penetration rate-2000-2011
Table 10-Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change-March 2010
Table 11-Zain Chad subscribers-2005-2010
Table 12-Zain Chad ARPU-2002-2009
Table 13-Tigo Chad quarterly ARPU, local currency vs US$-2009-2010
Table 12-Tchad Mobile (defunct) subscribers-2001-2004
Exhibit 1-Map of Chad
