Exposure to emerging markets benefits world’s largest telcos

LONDON, UK, 15 September 2010

– Emerging markets remain a source of profit for many of the world’s largest telcos, according to global telecoms, media and IT adviser Analysys Mason’s recent report, Worldwide telecoms market share report 2009, which evaluated the financial and operational performance of more than 100 operators worldwide.

According to Roz Roseboro, Principal Analyst at Analysys Mason and author of the report, revenue growth in emerging markets continued to fare better than in mature markets. Also, many large operators with exposure to emerging markets realised higher EBITDA margins than their peers without such exposure.

When looking at the top operators by revenue, five with the highest EBITDA margins also have exposure to emerging markets.
Operator
Rank by revenue
Rank by EBITDA margin
China Mobile
7
1
Telefonica
5
2
Vodafone
6
5
Telecom Italia
9
3
France Telecom
8
6
“Industry watchers should consider exposure to growth markets when evaluating the growth potential of large, Tier 1 operators,” says Roseboro.

Emerging markets achieved higher GDP growth in 2009 than mature markets, so consumers in these markets had a greater ability to pay for telecoms services, a situation Analysys Mason says will continue.

“We expect mature markets to remain challenging, so operators will be well-served to have a position in dynamic growth markets,” she adds. Still, emerging markets are not without their challenges. “The business environments in emerging economies are prone to volatility, and many are becoming extremely competitive, so operators must vigilantly manage their costs, and develop innovative business models in order to profitably maximise the opportunity.”

Other findings from the report include the following:

  • Operators in mature markets experienced strong growth in mobile broadband revenue.
  • Investment continued to flow from mature markets to growth markets, and across growth markets.
  • Licensing activity is bringing new entrants to growth markets, which is increasing competition and the availability of telecoms services.

Analysys Mason’s Worldwide telecoms market share report 2009 provides worldwide financial and operational data for almost 140 operators, split into eight geographical regions. It also includes insight into the key drivers in the mobile and fixed markets in each region, as well as recommendations for operators in mature and growth markets. For further information on this report, please visit: http://www.analysysmason.com/Research/Content/Reports/RDIG0_Worldwide_telecoms_market_shares/