Puerto Rico has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in Latin America, though despite being a US territory it lags well behind the mainland US states in terms of fixed-line and broadband penetration. This is partly due to a continuing economic recession, high unemployment rates (and consequently low disposable income) and poor telecoms investment in a market largely dominated by the incumbent Puerto Rico Telephone Company.
The Puerto Rico Telephone Company?s fixed-line market dominance was augmented following its acquisition by the largest wireless company in Latin America, Am?rica M?vil. In contrast, with six network operators, the mobile (cellular/wireless) market has been experiencing more robust competition and growth. Although Am?rica M?vil?s Claro recently took the lead from AT&T Mobility in terms of subscriber numbers, AT&T regained the top position by late November following its acquisition of Centennial Communications.
With an emerging VoIP sector and steadily growing broadband market, as well as a healthy satellite TV sector which has caused a decline in the cable TV subscriber base in recent years, the growth and convergence of digital media looks promising for coming years. A new submarine cable, due to come online in 2014, will improve connectivity to the US and neighbouring Latin American and Caribbean countries, while investments by cellular operators in LTE infrastructure will help promote mobile data services, as also extend mobile broadband availability in rural areas.
Market highlights:
- Puerto Rico?s economic plight has affected the telecoms sector, though it has managed to weather continuing difficulties, better most industries.
- Open Mobile launched an LTE offer in mid-2012, a crucial step for the country?s migration to 4G-based mobile broadband.
- The AT&T acquisition of Centennial allowed the former to supplant Claro as the mobile market leader, having lost that position to Claro in 2007.
- The failed bid by AT&T to acquire T-Mobile has preserved the competitive nature of the Puerto Rican mobile market, where AT&T would otherwise have secured a 50% share of mobile subscribers.
- Liberty Puerto Rico?s acquisition of OneLink Communications has merged two of the key cable TV and broadband players, with a combined footprint of some 700,000 addressable households.
- Cable TV subscriber numbers continue to decline, due in part to growing competition from satellite and to a deepening recession.
- The new PCCS submarine cable due in late 2014 will improve connectivity to the US and neighbouring Caribbean Central American countries.
For detailed information, table of contents and pricing see: Puerto Rico ? Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts
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