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Vol. 4, No.

5, November 2012

Pyramid Research

Latin America Telecom Insider


Operator Opportunities and Challenges for Wi-Fi Offloading in Latin America
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2 WI-FI OFFLOADINGS FIRST STEPS IN LATIN AMERICA 4 A. Quality of experience (QoE) 6 B. Cost savings 7 C. New revenue opportunities 9 D. Challenges 10 MARKET DETAIL CASE STUDY: Oi, Brazil CASE STUDY: TIM, Brazil CONCLUSIONS Key findings Recommendations RELATED RESOURCES 11 11 12 14 14 14 15

HIGHLIGHTS
In light of its seemingly ubiquitous presence, the fact that it is standards-based and because it can leverage unlicensed spectrum, Wi-Fi has become mobile operators preferred data-offloading technology and a cost-effective way to manage the growing demand for bandwidth. Wi-Fi offloading solutions can help mobile operators improve subscribers quality of experience by cost-effectively delivering capacity to ease mobile traffic congestion. However, there are several challenges mobile operators must overcome to succeed with WiFi offloading. In addition to implementing Wi-Fi offloading to ease mobile broadband congestion, operators are finding numerous ways to monetize their investment. In the current highly competitive mobile market, providing an exceptional and consistent mobile experience is more important than ever, not only because it decreases customer churn, but because it helps operators to stand out from the crowd and attract new customers.

PYRAMID RESEARCH 2012 ID# 1164

Introduction
Data traffic volume in mobile networks has grown exponentially over the last few years, and will continue to do so, driven by a growing penetration of mobile data-hungry devices such as smartphones and tablet computers, as well as by operators continuing to make significant investments to upgrade their 3G networks to 4G. According to Cisco, traffic from wireless devices will exceed traffic from wired devices by 2016, and global mobile data traffic will increase 18-fold between 2011 and 2016, at a CAGR of 78%. This increase will be largely driven by subscribers in urban and metro areas around the world. These areas, according to Ericsson, will generate 60% of all mobile traffic by 2017, but they will only be home to 30% of the worlds population.

Exhibit 1: Global population distribution vs. mobile traffic distribution, 2017

Sources: Ericsson, Pyramid Research

Almost every modern laptop and tablet computer and most modern smartphones have built-in Wi-Fi, and the number of these devices is growing quickly. In light of its seemingly ubiquitous presence, the fact that it is standards-based and because it can leverage unlicensed spectrum, Wi-Fi has become mobile operators preferred data-offloading technology and a cost-effective way to manage the growing demand for bandwidth. Wi-Fi technology has served as a vehicle to increase operators network footprint, increase their quality of service (QoS) and, ultimately, enhance their customers quality of experience (QoE) while keeping costs under control. AT&T, after experiencing a massive increase in data traffic over its mobile network during its years of iPhone exclusivity in the US, has been at the forefront of Wi-Fi offloading in North America. In 2008, it acquired Wayport, a leading provider of managed Wi-Fi services with nearly 8,000 hotspots in key locations across the US, and currently offers Wi-Fi access at no cost to its mobile subscribers through more than 30,000 hotspots. As the company has grown its Wi-Fi infrastructure, it has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of Wi-Fi connections (see Exhibit 2). Japanese operator KDDI, anticipating that its CDMA network would soon be

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insufficient to keep up with the demand for mobile data, decided to deploy a large-scale Wi-Fi network before rolling out its LTE network. As of June 2012, KDDI operates more than 120,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the Tokyo area alone, and it plans to install more.

Exhibit 2: AT&T Wi-Fi connections by quarter, 2009-2011 600 500 Connections (m) 400 300 200 100 0

Note: A connection is a successful login to a Wi-Fi hotspot. Sources: AT&T, Pyramid Research

In general, there is an increasing shift in mobile usage patterns, from outdoors to indoors. Operators and manufacturers agree that the majority of mobile data usage over 80% occurs in an indoor or fixed outdoor environment. Given that Wi-Fi networks are able to provide better indoor coverage where cellular is limited, Wi-Fi hotspots tend to be deployed in indoor locations. As smartphones and tablet computers gain traction in Latin America, Pyramid Research believes that mobile carriers will further increase the integration of Wi-Fi hotspots into their networks, especially in highly populated areas in major markets. Several approaches and technologies are being implemented by mobile operators to relieve the congestion on their mobile data networks. These include media optimization, segmented mobile data tariffs, and data offload through Wi-Fi and small cells. In our August 2012 Insider on Mobile data pricing in Latin America, we focused on tiered mobile data pricing plans. In this Insider, we will examine the competitive and economic forces that are driving carriergrade Wi-Fi deployments in Latin America. We will focus on the major mobile markets in the region, with a special focus on the Brazilian mobile market. We will also discuss the challenges and benefits that operators can get when rolling out their Wi-Fi networks. The report then concludes with case studies that depict some recent Wi-Fi offload deployments in Brazil, a summary of key highlights and a set of recommendations.

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Wi-Fi offloadings first steps in Latin America


According to Cisco, mobile data traffic in Latin America will increase at a CAGR of 79% between 2011 and 2016, driven by the growing popularity and affordability of mobile data-enabled devices. At a regional level, we expect smartphone sales to represent 60% of total handset sales in 2017 (69% in Argentina, 65% in Brazil, 64% in Chile, 53% in Colombia, 54% in Mexico, 64% in Peru and 46% in Venezuela), up from 20% in 2011 (25% in Argentina, 21% in Brazil, 20% in Chile, 19% in Colombia, 25% in Mexico, 13% in Peru and 16% in Venezuela). The adoption of noncellular access technologies will be critical for mobile operators to keep pace and capitalize on this tremendous growth of mobile data traffic.

Exhibit 3: Smartphone sales vs. total handset sales, Latin America, 2011-2017 Smartphone sales 300 250 Units sold (000s) 200 150 100 50 2011A 2012E 2013E 2014E 2015E 2016E 2017E Total handset sales

Source: Pyramid Research Latin America Smartphone Forecast, Q2 2012

In response to the rising demand for mobile data services, several operators have already started to deploy large-scale Wi-Fi networks to offload 3G/4G mobile traffic. The focus has been on identifying high-traffic indoor areas that are vulnerable to network congestion and deploy Wi-Fi hotspots to deliver capacity and alleviate congestion in these areas. In Latin America, mobile users are definitely taking advantage of public Wi-Fi hotspots. According to a recent online survey conducted by Cisco, more than 70% of the survey respondents in Brazil and close to 90% in Mexico said that they use a public Wi-Fi hotspot at least once a week.

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Exhibit 4: Frequency of use of public Wi-Fi hotspots, Cisco IBSG survey, 2012

U.S. Canada UK Brazil Mexico 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Do not use any type of public hotspot

Use at least one type of public hotspot

Question: How frequently do you use public Wi-Fi hot spots during a typical week in each of the following locations? Sources: Cisco IBSG Research, Pyramid Research

Brazilian mobile operators are leading the way on Wi-Fi offloading in Latin America, with the countrys three largest mobile operators Oi, TIM and Vivo already offering Wi-Fi services to their subscribers. These early deployments are a result of changing end-user demands and strong competition among operators to differentiate their offerings. Further, the expected spike in mobile traffic during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics has been a critical factor driving Brazilian operators to undertake Wi-Fi offloading initiatives. Wi-Fi offloading solutions can help mobile operators to improve subscribers quality of experience by cost-effectively delivering capacity to ease mobile traffic congestion, and they can serve as a catalyst for new revenue opportunities. However, there are several challenges these mobile operators must overcome to succeed with Wi-Fi offloading.

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A. Quality of experience (QoE)


As mobile data networks become more congested or saturated, quality of service is compromised, and user experience and satisfaction is impacted. Poor quality of service is a growing concern among telecom regulators in many countries of the region. For instance, just recently, Anatel, Brazils telecom regulator, imposed a two-week ban on mobile operators Claro, TIM and Oi to prevent them from selling mobile services due to poor coverage and poor service given to subscribers. TIM, who was banned from selling in 19 out of the countrys 27 states, was the most affected operator. Using TIMs ARPS, we estimate the ban will translate into a US$30m loss in service revenue in 2012 (assuming lost customers are not won back). Deployment of carrier-grade Wi-Fi is an effective solution to improve the quality of users mobile broadband service experience, particularly in challenging environments and densely populated areas such as large public venues, subways and airports. Automated mobility between different access networks (cellular to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi to cellular, or between Wi-Fi hotspots) is key to achieving a high-quality user experience. The majority of mobile subscribers are not concerned about the underlying wireless technology, so it is very important for maintaining a high QoE to provide seamless and automated handover between 3G/4G cellular networks and Wi-Fi networks. As highlighted by RETIS do Brasil, the company in charge of deploying TIMs Wi-Fi network, automatic authentication is one of the most important features of TIMs Wi-Fi, which allows users to access the service much more quickly and easily, without the need to input login and password. Further, the handover decision for selecting Wi-Fi or 3G/4G cant be based only on the received signal strength, but also on performance. The load management system must intelligently manage the handover process to deliver best performance, because otherwise it would diminish the user experience. Given the high mobile phone penetration levels in the region, we expect the growth rate of mobile subscribers to slow in the coming years. While mobile subscription penetration in the region increased at a CAGR of 10.4% between 2008 and 2011, we expect this number to decrease to 3.1% between 2012 and 2017. As a result of this market environment, providing an exceptional and consistent mobile experience is more important than ever, not only because it decreases customer churn, but because it helps operators to stand out from the crowd and attract new customers.

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Exhibit 5: Mobile penetration of population, Latin America, 2008-2017 160% Mobile penetration of population 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

Source: Pyramid Research

B. Cost savings
Under certain scenarios, such as high-traffic, indoor areas, Wi-Fi data offloading could represent an effective cost- and time-saving solution to address mobile bandwidth deficits and to mitigate mobile network congestion. As demand for mobile data increases, operators are forced to deploy more and more macro cell sites to meet the demand. In high-traffic urban areas, macro cell sites are increasingly difficult and expensive to locate, and a high concentration of macro cell sites in these areas makes co-channel interference more difficult to manage. Wi-Fi hotspots, on the other hand, use unlicensed spectrum and are less expensive and easier to locate, allowing operators to quickly bypass the overloaded cellular network and offload mobile data directly to the fixed network. Ruckus Wireless, a leading Wi-Fi access point (AP) equipment supplier in the region, estimates that mobile operators in dense urban areas can save from $60m to $300m in cellular capex with a deployment of 30,000 Wi-Fi APs and can deliver the same coverage footprint using carriergrade Wi-Fi technologies at 15% to 30% of the cost of rolling out a 3G/4G cellular network. Further, according to the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG), mobile operators can reduce their radio access costs by at least 25% (in most cases) when incorporating Wi-Fi into their network architecture and operations. Mobile operators have the option to integrate Wi-Fi into their already deployed cellular networks to leverage core elements such as management and authentication/billing systems, which will ultimately cut costs. Wi-Fi-integrated small cells A combination of small cells that use licensed spectrum and Wi-Fi hotspots is being embraced by a number of carriers around the world. The Small Cell Forum (formerly Femtocell Forum), whose initial goal was to develop and promote the wide-scale adoption of small cells that use licensed spectrum alone, is now addressing the integration of small cell technology and

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unlicensed technologies such as Wi-Fi. As manufacturers started to design and produce equipment that supports multiple wireless access technologies, operators are turning to Wi-Fiintegrated small cells to address the capacity crunch of their networks in high-traffic areas. According to a recent study conducted by Bell Labs in North America, adding capacity with LTE small cells (metro cells) can provide a 31% cost savings over macro-only deployments (see Exhibit 6). By adding Wi-Fi, operators can further augment this capacity. Operators thinking ahead can initially deploy a Wi-Fi offload network to alleviate capacity constraints in their 3G networks, and then leverage the already deployed Wi-Fi infrastructure to deploy 4G small cells. The newest wireless equipment from several vendors allows operators to accommodate smallcell technology in already deployed Wi-Fi hotspots as an add-on module, or vice versa.

Exhibit 6: Cost savings for macro + small cell sites, Bell Labs, 2012 Deployment (Over 5 years) Number of macro cell sites Number of small cells (metro cells) Capex (US$ in billions)

Macro sites only Macro sites + small cells


Cost Savings
Sources: Bell Labs, Pyramid Research

44,000 26,000

0 72,000

5.1 3.5
1.6

Key benefits of small cells with integrated Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities include: allowing operators to share resources such as location and backhaul, providing backup when needed, and preserving macro network capacity by enabling intelligent traffic management e.g., data traffic can be seamlessly shifted between the cellular and Wi-Fi networks based on service tier, type of application traffic, network congestion, etc.

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Exhibit 7: Traffic management by type of application traffic

Source: Pyramid Research

C. New revenue opportunities


Wi-Fi offloading solutions can represent significant cost-savings for operators. However, these solutions still have an impact on their capex and opex. In addition to implementing Wi-Fi offloading to ease mobile broadband congestion, operators are finding numerous ways to monetize their investment. As indicated in our recent Insider on mobile data pricing plans in Latin America, a multi-tiered mobile data pricing structure is common among Latin American mobile operators. In this structure, each tier corresponds to a different level of service available to the subscriber during the billing cycle. The Wi-Fi service can be bundled together with other mobile data packages at no cost for high-tier subscribers. This strategy is intended to lure mid-tier subscribers who want to enjoy the service to upgrade to higher, more expensive tiers of service. It also enriches the customer value proposition and increases loyalty.

Exhibit 8: Mobile data-only tariffs, Oi Brazil, 2012


Price (US$) Data

$3.68 30MB

$5.79 50MB

$7.37 100MB

$11.05 200MB

$22.11 500MB

$29.47 1GB

$31.58 2GB

Wi-Fi

NA

NA

NA

NA unlimited unlimited unlimited

Sources: Oi Brazil, Pyramid Research

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A reliable, widespread Wi-Fi network allows mobile operators to service and capture revenue through Wi-Fi onload, i.e., offer fee-based access to the network for users without a permanent subscription and visitors, as well as for non-cellular devices, such as tablets and laptops. In Brazil, non-Vivo subscribers can purchase Wi-Fi access passes two hours, 24 hours or 30 days through the companys website by using their credit cards. The company offers its Wi-Fi service mainly in areas with high demand for mobile data services, such as airports, shopping malls, universities, hospitals, cafes and restaurants. Wi-Fi offloading allows operators to leverage the information stored in the Wi-Fi access point to deliver, for example, personalized marketing messages. For instance, in Colombia, Empresas Municipales de Cali (EMCALI) partnered with local shopping mall operators to offer free Wi-Fi service throughout the mall. Once users access the Wi-Fi network, they become targets for marketing campaigns. According to Ruckus Wireless, location and tracking capabilities available in latest-generation, carrier-grade Wi-Fi equipment surpass those available in cellular systems. Operators can engage in a Wi-Fi exchange partnership, wherein operators agree to share their Wi-Fi bandwidth in exchange for access to Wi-Fi hotspots in other parts of the world. These partnerships allow operators to expand their value proposition by providing subscribers with international data roaming as an add-on, complementary service. In 2011, Oi Brazil announced a shared Wi-Fi project with Fon, a Spanish company that operates a crowdsourced Wi-Fi network with more than 6m Wi-Fi hotspots scattered around the globe.

D. Challenges
The success of Wi-Fi offload strategies largely depends on the capabilities of the implemented hardware and software systems to provide seamless user authentication and handover so as not to disrupt active connections. Also, Wi-Fi networks can be susceptible to access by unauthorized users and vulnerable to hackers who could steal vital customers information, so software systems must ensure security by using acceptable encryption and a secure authentication method. Consequently, operators must consider all these technical features to make an informed decision when partnering with a specific vendor. Industry leaders formed the Hotspot 2.0 Task Group with the goal of developing a common set of standards to address the discovery, security and authentication in Wi-Fi hotspots. One of the key elements of the Hotspot 2.0 is that allows the use of subscribers credentials stored in the SIM card to access Wi-Fi hotspots (EAP-SIM). Devices that comply with the Hotspot 2.0 standards obtain a obtain Wi-Fi Certified Passpoint. Further, the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) is working on developing a common framework for interoperability across networks, technologies and devices that are Passpoint-certified. Given the short range of Wi-Fi hotspots compared to cellular BTS, one critical consideration in the deployment of Wi-Fi offload solutions is the location and density of hotspots to achieve the required level of performance at the lowest cost possible. Many more hotspots are needed to provide the same level of coverage than a cellular BTS, and therefore operators need to understand the challenges involved with deploying dense Wi-Fi networks and maintaining them. Also, operators must carefully situate the Wi-Fi hotspots to protect their investment from theft and vandalism.

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Market detail
CASE STUDY: Oi, Brazil
Oi is Brazils fourth largest mobile operator. At the end of 2011, Oi held 18.5% of the mobile market, with 45.4m subscriptions. As of the end of 2011, Oi had a data ARPS of US$2.77, the second largest among the four largest local mobile operators (including Vivo, Claro and TIM). The company offers a wide range of postpaid and prepaid mobile services, and it currently offers nationwide 3G coverage. Oi acquired 4G spectrum in an auction run by Brazil's telecom regulator Anatel in June 2012. In August 2011, Oi acquired Vex, a So Paulo, Brazil-based service provider that, at the moment of the acquisition, operated more than 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and the rest of the world. Almost one year after the acquisition, Oi announced that it has wrapped up the integration process of its network with Vexs network, and as a result, the company changed the name of Vexs service to Oi WiFi. The companys short-term goal is to operate 1m hotspots in Brazil. Oi subscribers who have purchased Oi Velox 3G plan starting at 250MB, a data-only Oi Dados plan starting at 500MB, or postpaid data bundles Oi Conta Total and Oi Smartphones are provided with unlimited access to the operators Wi-Fi hotspots at no charge. Non-subscribers can purchase time passes through Ois website by using their credit cards. Android application Oi just recently launched an Android application for smartphones and tablet that seamlessly switches subscribers connections from Ois cellular network to an Oi Wi-Fi hotspot without being prompted. Further, using smartphones GPS functionality, the application displays a list of access points ordered by their proximity to the users location.

Exhibit 9: Ois free Android application, 2012

Source: Oi

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The application serves as a vehicle to differentiate the companys Wi-Fi service from those of the competition, providing a benefit that competitors currently do not have. According to the operator, a similar application will be soon available for Apples iPhone and RIMs Black Berry.

CASE STUDY: TIM, Brazil


TIM Brasil Servios e Participaes S.A. is a Telecom Italia Group subsidiary that operates in the mobile and fixed telecommunications sectors in Brazil. As of the end of 2011, TIM Brasil was the second largest mobile operator in the country, with a subscriber base of 64.1m and a national 3G coverage that exceeded 64% of the countrys urban population. As of August 2012, TIM offers its Wi-Fi service mainly in areas with high demand for mobile data services such as airports, shopping malls, universities, hospitals, cafes and restaurants. TIM is working to grow its Wi-Fi hotspots to 10,000 by the end of 2012 and 25,000 by 2014. Unlike other carriers, TIM does not allow non-subscribers to buy passes in order to gain access to the Wi-Fi network. Currently, TIM Wi-Fi is a complimentary, exclusive service for subscribers that have purchased any prepaid or postpaid mobile data plan. At the end of October 2011, the TIM Brasil group took control of two companies in the AES Atimus group, owner of Brazils largest metropolitan fiber network infrastructure, with over 5,500km of cable and a significant presence in the states of San Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, which are Brazils most densely populated. The integration of this high-speed network with its own network would allow TIM to handle the traffic offloaded from its 3G network via Wi-Fi. Capex savings: Rocinha project In 2011, the operator launched a Wi-Fi pilot project in Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro's largest favela (low-income, high-population-density neighborhood). The pilot program represented an important first step in extending the Wi-Fi service to other high-populated areas such as universities and airports, and it is part of the operators project to have more than 10,000 hotspots installed across the country by the end of 2012.

Exhibit 10: Rocinha project results, TIM Brasil, 2011 Alternative 1 (BTS) Alternative 2 (Wi-Fi) 1500

176.5

80.6

200 Througput (in Mbps)

US$ per Mbps (in thousands)


Sources: TIM Brasil, Pyramid Research

The goal of the project was to provide wireless internet by either installing an additional 3G powered base station (BTS) or deploying Wi-Fi hotspots. TIM was able to lower the per-Mbps cost by 54%, from approximately US$176,500 to approximately US$80,600, when deploying 25

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carrier-grade Wi-Fi hotspots instead of one macro BTS. TIM also points out that the deployment of the Wi-Fi hotspots translated into higher throughput, reduced operating costs and faster time to market.

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Conclusions
Key findings
As the demand for mobile data increases, Wi-Fi offload networks represent an important, cost-effective solution to augment capacity in high-traffic areas because they provide a significant lower per-Mbps cost than macro cell networks. Build capacity to complement macro cellular networks and improve the quality of experience (QoE) of subscribers are the main two reasons regional operators are choosing to deploy and manage carrier-grade Wi-Fi networks. Mobile operators, especially operators in the highly competitive Brazilian mobile market, see Wi-Fi offload as a vehicle to achieve competitive advantage and service differentiation, which in turn could help them reduce churn and create customer loyalty. There are several key challenges that need to be addressed in order to deploy a truly effective Wi-Fi offload solution. These challenges include offering seamless handover across different networks (cellular to Wi-Fi and vice versa) and across the same network (Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi), addressing authentication and security issues, as well as operating and managing a widespread Wi-Fi infrastructure. Leading mobile operators are leveraging Wi-Fi hotspots to create new revenue streams, including revenue from targeted advertising messages, roaming data services, additional tiered and bundled services, and to monetize non-subscribers and noncellular devices.

Recommendations
Operators It is very important for operators exploring Wi-Fi offloading solutions to perform a rigorous assessment to identify the scenarios in which Wi-Fi offloading solutions make economic sense for the short and long term. Further, efforts must be focused on providing users with an uninterrupted, fluid experience between the cellular network and the Wi-Fi network. Vendors The increased interest in Wi-Fi offload in the region presents a significant business opportunity for carrier-grade Wi-Fi vendors. It is very important for hardware vendors to not only stress the cost-saving opportunities of Wi-Fi offload networks, but also to pitch it as a must-have to effectively compete in the regional mobile market.

Authors: Guillermo Hurtado, Research Analyst (ghurtado@pyr.com), and Emily Smith, Research Analyst (essmith@pyr.com) Editor: Leslie Arathoon, Director of Research (larathoon@pyr.com)

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Related resources
Latin America Mobile Data Pricing Landscape and Trends
Telecom Insider published August 2012 This Insider examines what carriers are doing at a Latin America regional level in terms of pricing, to close the gap between revenue and data traffic growth. We focus on the major regional mobile markets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. The report concludes with case studies that illustrate some of the future trends analyzed in this report, a summary of key highlights and a set of recommendations.

MVNOs in Latin America find Opportunities in Mobile Data


Telecom Insider published August 2012 MVNOs are often seen as a way to promote competition in the mobile phone market by allowing the entry of new players into the market. Pyramid Research believes that MVNO subscriptions in the Latin American market will expand, although they will continue to account for a small percentage of the subscription base. The first section of this report looks at the state of regulation for the MVNO market, to determine how important it is to have a specific set of rules for MVNOs on the success of this business model. In the second and third sections of this report, we analyze and explore recent strategies that MVNOs are adopting to tap into the highest mobile growth segment: data services. Finally, we look at case studies to help us understand business trends better.

Why Cloud Computing Services Are Good for Operators and SMEs in Latin America
Telecom Insider published July 2011 Cloud computing can help operators in Latin America reduce their internal costs and develop competencies that can help them sell these same services to small and midsize clients needing to become leaner and more agile in a global marketplace. And since cloud computing rides on top of the broadband networks being built out by operators today, it provides another important way for operators to achieve a greater return on their investment. This report examines what cloud computing is, the framework behind this model and identifies the main drivers behind its adoption in Latin America. Three case studies look at fixed operators in Mexico that offer cloud services with an eye to what they understand to be cloud computing, the main reasons they adopted cloud computing, and the different services they offer.

Global Mobile Data Forecast


Forecasts published quarterly Updated on a quarterly basis, this Mobile Data Forecast product provides a complete picture of demand trends for the global market. The Excel output includes five years of historical data and five years of market projections for metrics such as penetration, mobile subscriptions (by type of package, by operator or MVNO and by network technology), users of specific data services (SMS, music, etc.), MOU, ARPS (by operator, by subscription type, by service, by application) and revenue (by messaging and non-messaging applications). The Forecast is based on extensive field research and uses a consistent methodology, aiming to capture the total spending on mobile data services on an aggregate global level. Data from these Forecasts is available online for subscribers to our DataTracker service.

National Broadband Plans Show a Diversity of Methods but a Unity of Purpose


Telecom Insider published December 2011 In this Insider, we examine national broadband plans that have debuted in select countries in Latin America and highlight key themes that are vital to success. This includes accomplishments that have been made through the help of having a clearly defined NBP in place. We provide project investments that the private sector has made to support NBPs, with special attention given to areas previously deemed to lack commercial potential. An analysis of the suitability of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to realize NBP objectives follows. The report concludes with case studies of more detailed national broadband plans from Brazil, Colombia and Chile.

To learn more about Pyramid Researchs product offerings and how they can be of service to your company, please contact sales@pyr.com or visit us on the Web at www.pyramidresearch.com.

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