Mauritius Telecom is the sole provider of basic services and operates an
advanced network featuring availability of modern services like ISDN, short
waiting periods for connection and a wide range of value added and data
communications services including Internet, X.25, Video Conferencing and EDI.
Competition presently exists in the mobile cellular service market, although
each cellular licence included an initial exclusivity period. Cell Plus Mobile
Communication is the only GSM operator competing against Emtel who operate an
analogue TACS-based service. Emtel’s exclusivity expired in December 1995
while Cell Plus’ expired in December 1999. Additional competition will be
licensed at the discretion of the Mauritius Telecommunications Authority.
Mauritius Telecom has various other subsidiaries offering a wide range of
data and value added services including Telecom Plus (70% Mauritius Telecom;
30% France Cables et Radio, FCR), Cell Plus Mobile Communications Ltd (99.99% -
Mauritius Telecom; 0.01% Overseas Telecommunication Services Co. Ltd), Southern
Telecom Ltd (51% Mauritius Telecom; 49% Telecom Electrical Services Ltd),
Telsea, Madagascar (Mauritius Telecom, France Cables et Radio and INVESCOM),
Teleserve, Mozambique (50% Mauritius Telecom; 50% Telecommunicaçoes De
Mozambique) and Teleservices Mauritius Ltd (100 % Mauritius Telecom).
The market for telecommunications equipment was about $53 million in 1996
and is expected to grow by at least 40% by 1999. In 1997 Mauritius Telecom
awarded a large contract to a US company to install 50 000 wireless local loop
telephone lines using CDMA technology. Mauritius Telecom plans to implement an
additional 350 000 lines by 2007. In 1998, Emtel invested $5 million in
expanding and upgrading its network
The industry is regulated by Mauritius Telecommunications Authority, which
was established in 1998 and is responsible to the Ministry of
Telecommunications and Information Technology.
The government intends to fully open up the sector to competition by 2004 to
fulfil its WTO Commitment on basic telecommunication services.
