Fixed-Mobile Convergence in Emerging Markets; The Impact on Capex and Opex

The convergence of fixed and mobile telecommunications in emerging economies is still in its infancy, and even though next-generation networks already dominate capital expenditures, bona fide fixed-mobile platforms and services are rare. A handful of greenfield service providers and market challengers have chosen all-IP infrastructure for their WiMAX networks and started installing IMS platforms to support business fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) services, such as IP Centrex and VoIP. We believe that the IMS architecture, with its support for both legacy and IP networks, holds solid long-term promise for emerging-market operators. However, migration to an all-IP network in earnest won' t happen for years, since many emerging-market operators have adopted a wait-and-see strategy to learn from IP pioneers in North America and Western Europe, such as AT&T, BT, KPN and Telekom Austria.

As all-IP networking waits on the sidelines, a growing number of providers are reaping the benefits of scale, running multiservice operations and integrating their fixed and mobile divisions. Most incumbent operators never sold their mobile arms; others increased their ownership in previously spun off operations to 100%. And in China and Russia, fixed-mobile integration has begun, with significant implications for the telecom industry in those markets.

• Fixed-mobile service bundles are the first step on the road to convergence. Many operators in emerging markets already offer packages of mobile voice and fixed-broadband Internet services to business and home users.
• WiMAX is starting to create waves in most emerging markets as a substitute for fixed networks, despite its slow start. A number of greenfield WiMAX operators have chosen an all-IP architecture, pioneering convergence and influencing overall market dynamics by prompting competitors to expedite investment in next-generation networks.
• Case studies in China and Russia show that integration of fixed and mobile operators will have a significant impact on the telecom industry structure and long-term investment plans.
• Naturally, integration causes concern among equipment manufacturers: What impact will it have on Capex?

A new report by Pyramid Research, Fixed-Mobile Convergence in Emerging Markets: The Impact on Capex and Opex, examines the early FMC choices telcos have made in emerging markets and analyzes the impact of these choices on the overall direction of telecom investments and the level of operating expenses.

• What are the key drivers of fixed-mobile convergence, and how do they differ between mature and emerging markets?
• Who will launch FMC in emerging markets?
• What benefits will fixed-mobile convergence offer emerging-market industry players?
• Will mergers of fixed and mobile operators result in greater operational efficiency? If so, when and how?
• What drives Capex in emerging markets today? And will the strong Capex growth continue?

Identify successful strategies for introducing and promoting FMC offerings; draw on the experience of others in planning for changes in Capex and Opex.

From the case studies of China and Russia, develop an understanding of how the introduction of FMC in a market will affect Capex and Opex over both the short and long terms, and acquire insight into the challenges facing emerging-market operators in network rollouts and operations. Use these insights to successfully position your equipment and services as well as to enhance your value proposition.

Receive a thorough grounding in the salient issues facing fixed-mobile M&A and integration in emerging markets today. Use this analysis to understand who is best positioned to succeed and to assess upcoming opportunities in emerging telecommunications markets.

Understand the drivers behind FMC, why the FMC path is critical in the long run, and when to pursue it. Get a head start in understanding the impact of 3G and broadband deployments on traffic, future Capex and Opex.

Anticipate changes in the telecom industry resulting from fixed-mobile integration and convergence. Position yourself to take advantage of sharing access to fixed infrastructure with mobile network operators.

• AFK Sistema
• Amdocs
• Antel
• ArmenTel
• AsiaInfo
• AT&T
• Batelco
• Bharat Sanchar Nigam
• Limited (BSNL)
• Bharti Airtel
• Brasil Telecom
• BT
• Cedarcom
• Center Telecom
• Ceske Radiokomunikace
• China Mobile
• China Netcom
• China Network
• Communications (Netcom)
• China Railcom
• China Telecom
• China TieTong
• Telecommunications
• Corporation
• China Unicom
• Comstar UTS
• Comverse
• Detecon International
• Ertach
• Etisalat
• Eurotel
• Far EasTone
• Global Telecom
• Golden Telecom
• Guangdong Telecom
• HiTs Telecom
• ITC
• Kazakhtelecom
• KPN
• Magyar Telekom
• Matav
• Meditel
• MegaFon Russia
• Mena Telecom
• Mobily
• MTS
• Mubadala
• Oi
• OneMax
• Orange Jordan
• Orange Poland
• PCCW
• PTK Centertel
• Qtel
• Sky Link
• SPT
• STC
• T-Com
• Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM)
• Telefonica O2 Czech
• Republic
• Telekom Austria
• Telekom Slovenije
• Telekomunikacja Polska SA
• (TPSA)
• Telkom SA
• Telkomsel
• Telmex
• T-Mobile
• True Internet Thailand
• Umniah
• Uralsvyazinform
• Verizon Wireless
• VimpelCom
• Vodafone Czech Republic
• Vodafone Romania
• Wana
• Warid Telecom
• Wateen Telecom
• Westel
• Zain Bahrain