New Market Report Now Available: Sri Lanka Telecommunications Report Q4 2012

New Fixed Networks research report from Business Monitor International is now available from Fast Market Research

by Bill Thompson

(WireNews+Co) - Boston, MA - 20 October 2012

BMI View: The Sri Lankan telecommunications market is comparatively more mature than other countries in South Asia in terms of mobile penetration rates. Further, it was able to offer 3G services in 2007, unlike Bangladesh and Pakistan, which are still struggling to auction licences. However, the country's ability to fulfil its potential has been hampered by the civil war, although the private and public sectors are aggressively investing in the reconstruction and expansion process.

Key Data:

- The mobile sector experienced stronger-than-expected growth in Q112, which was slightly lower than the net additions in Q211, Q311 and Q411 combined.
- Our mobile forecasts have been revised upwards. We now envisage 25mn subscribers by end- 2016, a penetration rate of 114%.
- Broadband forecasts have been upgraded in light of strong consumer demand for mobile solutions.

View Full Report Details and Table of Contents (http://www.fastmr.com/prod/451321_sri_lanka_telecommunications_report_q4_2012.aspx) (http://www.fastmr.com/prod/451321_sri_lanka_telecommunications_report_q4_2012.aspx)

Key Trends And Developments

Mobitel announced in June 2012 that it had successfully completed its network expansion drive. According to the plan, the operator has increased the number of its 2G and 3G base stations by more than 1,000 sites. The move has enabled Mobitel to emerge as a dominant operator servicing the north and east. The operator has revealed plans to further expand its network, claiming that its stations are now LTEready.

Hutchison Telecommunication Lanka became the fifth and final mobile operator in Sri Lanka to launch 3G services, almost six years since it obtained a licence to do so. Initial services are only available in the Western province including the capital Colombo, but Hutchison plans to provide nationwide coverage by July, with 1,000 base transceiver stations. The launch of 3G services came shortly after Hutchison entered the Sri Lankan postpaid market in late-July 2011, which we believe indicates the operator's intention of increasing its small market share.

Sri Lanka remained in 18th position in BMI's Asia Pacific Telecoms Risk/Reward Ratings Q412 with a Telecoms Rating score of 36.6. In line with our downbeat view on the Sri Lankan economy, Q112's headline growth figure showed real GDP growth slowing for the second consecutive quarter to 7.9% y-oy. Despite the still-respectable headline print, we highlight that the figure masked the substantial weakness of the country's services sector, whose growth plunged at the start of 2012. Crucially, leading indicators continue to paint a bleak outlook for the economy and we expect further domestic policy tightening and Europe's ongoing economic malaise to continue to present major headwinds in 2012.

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