Mobile data services is predicted to be the most dynamic of Ecuador's communications markets, expanding from US$243 million in 2009 to US$453 million in 2014, driven by higher adoption of enhanced data services and wider coverage of 3G services, according to the latest report from Pyramid Research.

Communications Markets in Ecuador offers a precise, incisive profile of the country's converged telecommunications, media, and technology sectors based on proprietary data from our research in the Ecuadorian market. The 28-page report provides detailed competitive analysis of both the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services, and monitors the introduction and spread of new technologies such as WiMax, IPTV, and VoIP. This executive study provides a comprehensive view of the Ecuadorian communications market by analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities, and assessing upcoming risks factors.

After a period of significant growth in Ecuador's telecommunications sector between 2007 and 2008, we expect overall growth to slow in 2009 and beyond as a result of a troubled economic scenario and the slower adoption of mobile services, notes Omar Salvador, senior analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report.

Despite this, mobile data services are showing signs of promise in the market. " Ecuador's telecom market is projected to reach US$2.3 billion in 2014, with mobile revenue representing 68 percent, growing from US$1.2 billion in 2009 to US$1.6 million in the forecast period," says Salvador. "Mobile data services represented 18 percent of total mobile revenue in 2008, and it is expected to increase up to 29 percent in 2014, due to mobile operators widening 3G service coverage and lowering prices."

"3G deployments will be a key factor for mobile data services, and Porta, the leading mobile player, has offered 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)/High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) services since the third quarter of 2008," says Salvador. "Pyramid Research projects 3G will accelerate substantially from 0.6 million to 6.4 million, representing 42 percent of the total subscriber base in 2014; 3G expansion will be driven by the decrease in handset prices and the active promotion of mobile operators looking to increase data service revenue and decrease cost per minute by using 3G technology," he says. "We expect 2.5G to represent more than 57 percent in the forecast period, thanks to affordable handsets, while 2G is expected to phase out in 2013."
www.pyr.com