PUBLISHER: BuddeComm | PRODUCT CODE: 968809
PUBLISHER: BuddeComm | PRODUCT CODE: 968809
Macau’s incumbent PSTN provider, CTM, continues to maintain a stranglehold over the region’s fixed-line telephony, fixed broadband, and even internet service provision. This is mostly down to the fact that, despite the government having liberalised the telecoms market many years ago and allowing a number of new market entrants, CTM has kept hold of last-mile connectivity to all premises. Aspiring competitors have failed, as a result, to be able to establish a decent foothold in the market.
That’s not to suggest that CTM has been anti-competitive in any way. Nor could the company be accused of taking advantage of its dominant position by neglecting the development of its fixed network and infrastructure. On the contrary, CTM has performed admirably in establishing an all-digital network with 100% fibre coverage. Fixed broadband penetration rates have reached a relatively healthy 33% and continue to grow, which is quite a remarkable result given the phenomenal success of Macau’s mobile and mobile broadband segments enjoying some of the highest penetration rates in the world.
It’s just a fact of life that whatever is left of competition in the fixed-line market in Macau will have to continue scrapping over the few remaining crumbs.