Niger - Telecommunications EquipmentNiger - Telecommunications Equipment
Overview
U.S. equipment is likely to be competitive as the telecommunications system is restructured, modernized and extended.
Table 3 – Niger Telecommunications Equipment Production (USD Million)
Data Sources: National Institute of Statistics; estimates Based on IMF projections
Opportunities
A combination of high demand for IT services and low penetration rates throughout Niger highlight the potential for strong growth in the telecommunications market. Likewise, prospects for US-based companies that wish to operate in the country are favorable. Growth in broadband services has been marked by GON investments in fiber-optic construction projects and the GON’s plans to link Niger to undersea cables off the coast of West Africa. Likewise, wireless penetration rates will continue to grow due to user demand and healthy competition among existing wireless companies for subscribers. However, growth in fixed line user rates will most likely remain slow due to a lack of innovation by Sonitel, the predominant provider, as well as current trends favoring wireless communications.
As of June 2015, total wireless subscribers within Niger numbered 6,735,000 while the wireless penetration rate reached 38.8 percent. This is in contrast to that of June 2014, which saw the total number of subscribers at 5,942,000, with wireless penetration rate at 35.3 percent. Likewise, broadband subscribership has nearly doubled in the same period, from 5,700 in June 2014 to 10,750 in June 2015, though the broadband subscriber rate continues to remain extremely low, reaching no more that 0.5 percent of the population. The total number of fixed lines grew from 147,651 to 155,840 in the course of 12 months to the end of 2014, while the penetration rate, at 7 percent, remained basically flat.
Several major ISPs now operate in Niger, including Sonitel, Airtel-Niger, Moov Niger, Orange Niger, SahelCom, Afripa Telecom, Xcom and Liptinfor. They are fairly independent and are not required to use the state-owned infrastructure.
Africa Telecom was granted a wi-fi license to provide satellite Internet services via a technology known as Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).
Future growth areas may include broadband Internet services, digital switching technology, satellite services, and cellular phones.
Facilitating wider access to ICT remains a priority but may require the installation of new telecommunications infrastructure by private operators.
Web Resources
GSM
Niger Telephone Numbering Information
TeleGeography
Niger Internet Domain Name System Information
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
U.S. equipment is likely to be competitive as the telecommunications system is restructured, modernized and extended.
Table 3 – Niger Telecommunications Equipment Production (USD Million)
| Year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 (est.) | 2017 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market Size | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total Production | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total Exports | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total Imports | 30.7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Imports from the U.S. | 0.2 | 0.72 | N/A | N/A |
| Exchange Rate: 1 USD | 585 CFA | 585 CFA | 585 CFA | 585 CFA |
Opportunities
A combination of high demand for IT services and low penetration rates throughout Niger highlight the potential for strong growth in the telecommunications market. Likewise, prospects for US-based companies that wish to operate in the country are favorable. Growth in broadband services has been marked by GON investments in fiber-optic construction projects and the GON’s plans to link Niger to undersea cables off the coast of West Africa. Likewise, wireless penetration rates will continue to grow due to user demand and healthy competition among existing wireless companies for subscribers. However, growth in fixed line user rates will most likely remain slow due to a lack of innovation by Sonitel, the predominant provider, as well as current trends favoring wireless communications.
As of June 2015, total wireless subscribers within Niger numbered 6,735,000 while the wireless penetration rate reached 38.8 percent. This is in contrast to that of June 2014, which saw the total number of subscribers at 5,942,000, with wireless penetration rate at 35.3 percent. Likewise, broadband subscribership has nearly doubled in the same period, from 5,700 in June 2014 to 10,750 in June 2015, though the broadband subscriber rate continues to remain extremely low, reaching no more that 0.5 percent of the population. The total number of fixed lines grew from 147,651 to 155,840 in the course of 12 months to the end of 2014, while the penetration rate, at 7 percent, remained basically flat.
Several major ISPs now operate in Niger, including Sonitel, Airtel-Niger, Moov Niger, Orange Niger, SahelCom, Afripa Telecom, Xcom and Liptinfor. They are fairly independent and are not required to use the state-owned infrastructure.
Africa Telecom was granted a wi-fi license to provide satellite Internet services via a technology known as Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).
Future growth areas may include broadband Internet services, digital switching technology, satellite services, and cellular phones.
Facilitating wider access to ICT remains a priority but may require the installation of new telecommunications infrastructure by private operators.
Web Resources
GSM
Niger Telephone Numbering Information
TeleGeography
Niger Internet Domain Name System Information
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.