Telecom, a Growing Sector
Telecom operators are refining their strategies in anticipation of the upcoming competition. 2006 is the year of the new competitive landscape and the completion of sector liberalization.
UMTS license in May 2006, launch of the universal fund, entry of Méditel and Maroc Connect into the fixed-line market, launch of Casa off-shoring, structuring of the call center industry, beginning of "Global Services" as planned by BNP in Morocco, finalization of the soon-to-be-adopted Internet action plan by the Jettou government… 2006 marks the beginning of a new configuration of the ICT field in Morocco.
After successfully liberalizing the fixed-line market in 2005, the ANRT is currently finalizing the technical arrangements in consultation with the three operators (Maroc Telecom, Méditel, and Maroc Connect). A new telephone numbering system is planned for March 2006, with two area codes (02 for the South and 03 for the North).
The last item finalized: the implementation of the universal fund, financed by the two telecom operators, namely Maroc Telecom and Méditel (at 2% of turnover), to extend the reach of telecommunications services to isolated rural towns and municipalities. In parallel with these actions, the government is investing heavily in providing NTI zones to host outsourced services.
Morocco aspires to become the "India of Europe." In addition to the development of call centers (10,000 positions), the Moroccan market aims to position itself in software and IT services.
But to do so, it will have to overcome its shortcomings in engineer training. Prime Minister Driss Jettou has made this a priority, and universities and higher education institutions have been asked to implement the necessary courses.
Competition should lead to new "next-generation" services and be based on voice-data-image convergence. A new reality for telecoms where consumer access will no longer have limits.
OPERATORS' STRATEGIES IN 2006 CHALLENGE HEBDO N°80 from Saturday, January 7th to Friday, January 13th, 2006
