Telecoms & IT
From The Report: Tunisia 2017
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The Tunisian telecommunications market is seeing large increases in mobile phone plans over fixed-line subscriptions, as smartphones continue to offer voice-over-IP services and messaging applications that enable consumers to call and text via mobile internet. Though the sector has been liberalised for many years, Tunisie Telecom remains the dominant operator; however, competing operators Ooredoo Tunisie and Orange Tunisie have gained market share in recent years. The determining element that sets operators apart will now likely be the speed with which they roll out their 4G coverage nationwide. With the progressive deployment of 4G services, as well as the expected arrival of Virgin Mobile to the market and the growing presence of Lycamobile, it is likely that competition for users will grow even fiercer. Over the years Tunisia has become a regional hub for ICT thanks to a strong array of comparative advantages: a well-educated and competitive IT workforce, relatively low operating costs, close proximity to Europe, and a strong network of IT and telecoms infrastructure. With the country facing increasing competition from neighbouring Morocco and more anglophone-focused markets due to growing demand for English in offshoring activities, the Tunisian government is looking to implement policies designed to cement its population as a competitive and attractive IT-oriented market. However, obstacles to the sector’s growth remain. In order for Tunisia’s IT sector to unlock its full potential, the public and private sectors must work together to upgrade existing technoparks and IT infrastructure, as well as open additional digital centres to enable young entrepreneurs to create.

This chapter contains an interview with Nizar Bouguila, CEO, Tunisie Telecom.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

On the move: Fixed-line subscriptions hit a plateau as mobile users benefit from easy data and new 4G services
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The Tunisian telecommunications market is seeing large increases in mobile phone plans over fixed-line subscriptions as smartphones continue to offer voice-over-IP (VoIP) services and messaging applications that enable consumers to call and text using their mobile internet. Though the sector has been liberalised for many years, Tunisie Telecom remains the dominant operator; however, competing operators Ooredoo Tunisie and Orange Tunisie have gained market share in recent years. The determining…

Interview

Service providers: Nizar Bouguila, CEO, Tunisie Telecom, on increasing connectivity and developing infrastructure
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Interview: Nizar Bouguila How can future investment in Tunisia’s telecommunications and IT sectors be ensured? NIZAR BOUGUILA: In recent years there has been a price war among Tunisia’s three telecommunications service providers (TSPs). The arrival of a third TSP was the starting point of the price war, which obviously had an impact on the profitability of all TSPs and which continues to weigh on the telecommunications sector. The average price per minute is now about a fifth of what it was…

Overview

A connected society: National plans are under way to improve IT innovation, cloud storage platforms and e-government activities
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Over the years Tunisia has become a regional hub for ICT thanks to a strong array of comparative advantages: a well-educated and competitive IT workforce, relatively low operating costs, close proximity to Europe, and a strong network of IT and telecoms infrastructure. With the country facing increasing competition from neighbouring Morocco and more anglophone-oriented markets due to growing demand for English in offshoring activities, the Tunisian government is looking to implement policies…

Analysis

Creative opportunities: The country aims to elevate its status as an outsourcing centre while fostering domestic talent and new start-ups
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Tunisia is known for having a large number of available and highly qualified professionals in the ICT sector, with an estimated 10,000 IT engineers graduating each year. Thanks to this, the country has become a well-known offshoring centre for many foreign ICT companies. Additionally, in an attempt to curb unemployment among young Tunisian graduates, the country is beginning to open up its business environment to local ICT start-ups and encourage entrepreneurship. Fertile Ground Tunisia’s…