Reportlinker Adds Mobile Network Sharing Report 2010-2015 - Developments, Analysis & Forecasts

NEW YORK, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Mobile Network Sharing Report 2010-2015 - Developments, Analysis & Forecasts

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0191652/Mobile-Network-Sharing-Report-2010-2015---Developments-Analysis--Forecasts.html

Changes in data demand growth and availability of new technologies like LTE is having implications on the telecom industry's structure, competition and sources of competitive advantage. In addition, due to increasing competition, network operators are witnessing faltering profit margins. Service revenue growth is expected to be less than 1.2% up until 2014. In such harsh economic conditions, operators are now increasingly looking for innovative ways to increase operating profits, reduce their total cost of ownership and create shareholder value. In order to achieve the above objectives, many in the industry believe that operators should master the value discipline of "operational excellence" by embarking on a network sharing strategy.

Network sharing is an approach where two or more competitor network operators share their network resources. The degree and method of sharing can vary from country to country depending on regulatory and competitive landscapes. Co-operation in the form of network sharing or infrastructure sharing brings a ray of hope for operators who want to continue to remain dominant market players. Sharing strategies work on game theory idea of identifying when the outcome of co-operation is actually better than the one of sustaining direct rivalry.

The prime objectives of network sharing must not only be to realise Capex and OpEx savings but also to offer highest level of network quality to the customers of all sharing partners. Network sharing by no means should lead to deterioration of network quality. Only then can operators retain their customers and provide differentiated services

Operators are aware that infrastructure sharing offers opportunity for product innovation and improved customer services. Around 70% of operators have used sharing to their advantage in forms such as site sharing, co-location and national roaming in the liberalised and emerging markets. However, advanced sharing concepts are now emerging and operators must take benefits of the new CapEx/OpEx saving opportunities.

Our Research suggests that:

For the majority of operators, network sharing will become a critical strategy to survive in the market. This will help them to expand 3G coverage and make utilisation of the OpEx savings in number of other areas such as LTE and IMS. By 2015, as many as 90% of operators across the globe will implement network sharing of some form. 

This exclusive report offers operators a clear understanding of, and clarity around, what network sharing represents. Operators should not just take a fragmented view, they should take into consideration the overall business needs and cost structures while defining their network sharing strategies.

This exclusive management report provides:

• A framework for operators to identify objectives and strategies for designing their network sharing strategies; and

• A detailed roadmap for operators considering network sharing.

Several large operators in Western Europe like Telefonica and Vodafone have taken a leap in active network sharing. Operators in developing markets are now forging alliances for network sharing that would help improve their coverage without incurring prohibiting costs.

Active network sharing is gaining importance in the telecom industry. By the end of 2009, many new sharing deals were signed. The newer deals being signed across the globe are larger than previous deals in terms of network size, scope and number of subscribers involved. However, sharing is a new concept and requires significant due diligence.

In the UK, given the regulatory pressure to cover the entire population by 2012, operators such as Vodafone and O2 plan to pool their networks. T-Mobile and 3 also signed deals on network sharing. All companies will continue to compete under their own brand names, but putting together their networks will allow them to push mobile broadband into more rural areas and should allow them to reduce the 51,000 base stations dotted across the country by eliminating duplication.

What questions does the report answer?

This report will answer the following questions:

• What are the market drivers? What are the current problems faced by operators that network sharing can help minimise?

• What are the benefits associated with network sharing?

• Is network sharing as a concept working?

• How is the speed of problem resolution achieved with network sharing?

• Which operators have adopted network sharing?

• What is the market opportunity in network sharing for vendors?

• What are the implications for operators who embrace network sharing and how does affect their position on the value chain?

• What are the benefits, challenges and barriers? Are there any negatives to be considered when embracing network sharing?

Who should read this report?

Although this report attempts to address all key aspects associated with the network sharing, it is not a legal, technical or financial document. The report is aimed at executives who want to gain an overview of the network sharing market and its potential.

• Operators

• Vendors

• Analysts

• Consultants

• MNVOs

• New Entrants

• Tower Management companies

Why you should buy this report?

This report will act as a guide for:

• Operators to make informed discussions before embarking on network sharing strategy.

• Vendors can analyse the current issues facing operators in network sharing domain and gain an insight into other vendors' strategies and compare various solutions on the market. The report helps vendors to identify the types of operators likely to embark on a network sharing strategy.

• Consultancy companies can look into the opportunities in the network sharing domain, such as assisting operators to formulate effective sharing strategies.

• Tower management companies can look into the possibilities of expanding their business further.

• Operators can look into the area of wholesale business with network sharing.

• New Entrants can evaluate the MNVO opportunities with Network sharing in major markets.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

E1: New Rule of the Game: Co-opetition

E2: Is Sharing a Viable Strategy?

E3: Network Sharing is not Fail-proof

E4: Current Status of Network Sharing

E5: Impact of Recession on Network Sharing

E6: Future of Network Sharing

E7: Market Trends

1. Introduction

1.1 Operational Excellence

Figure 1: Operational Excellence Value Discipline

1.2 What is Network Sharing?

Figure 2: Evolving Operator Value Chain with Network Sharing

1.3 Network Sharing in Broader Context

1.4 Drivers for Network Sharing

Table 1: Factors Fuelling the Growth of Network Sharing

1.4.1 Increasing Cost of Passive Network Elements

Chart 1: Cost of Passive Network Elements (2007- 2015)

1.4.2 Success of MNVO's

1.4.3 Flattening Growth

1.4.4 Focus on Relationship Marketing

1.4.5 Need for Rapid Deployment of new Access Technologies

1.4.6 Capacity Requirement for Mobile Broadband

1.4.7 GSM in Maturity Phase

1.4.8 Improving the 3G Coverage Requires Significant Investments and Time

1.4.9 Scare Spectrum

Table 2: Spectrum Issues

1.4.10 Environmental Aspects

1.4.11 High Deployment Cost for Rural Sites

1.4.12 Sharing as a Strategy to Recoup Sunk Investments

1.4.13 Managing Customer Expectations

Chart 2: Mobile Broadband Penetration (2009-2015)

1.5 Aim of the Report

1.5.1 Questions Answered by this Report

1.5.2 Framework for Devising Successful Network Sharing Strategies

Figure 3: Network Sharing Framework

1.6 Report Structure

1.7 Report Scope

2. What is Strategic Network Sharing?

2.1 Activities that come under Infrastructure Sharing

Table 3: Cell Site Infrastructure

Table 4: Infrastructure Sharing Possibilities

2.2 Types of Infrastructure Sharing

2.2.1 Passive Infrastructure Sharing

2.2.1.1 Site Sharing

Table 5: Site Sharing Propositions

Figure 4: Site Sharing

Table 6: Technical Prerequisites for Site and Tower Sharing

2.2.1.2 Tower Sharing

Table 7: Tower Sharing Propositions

2.2.1.1.1 Tower Management Companies

2.2.2 Active Infrastructure Sharing

Figure 5: Active Network Sharing

2.2.2.1 Spectrum Sharing

2.2.2.2 Antenna Sharing

2.2.2.3 Base Station Sharing

2.2.2.3.1 RAN Sharing

Figure 6: RAN Sharing

Table 8: RAN Sharing Propositions

Table 9: Technical Prerequisites for RAN Sharing

2.2.2.3.2 RNC Sharing

2.2.2.4 MSC and Routers sharing

2.2.2.5 Backhaul sharing

2.2.2.6 BTS and MSC Sharing

2.2.2.7 Roaming

2.2.2.8 MNVO

2.3 Characteristics of Network Sharing

Table 10: Characteristics of Network Sharing

2.4 Benefits of Network Sharing

2.4.1 Risk Share with Vendors

2.4.2 Reduce CapEx and OpEx

2.4.3 Improve Bottom-line

2.4.4 Maintain/Improve Network Quality

2.4.5 Manage Resources Effectively

2.4.6 Improve cash flow

2.4.7 Improve Business focus

2.4.8 New Opportunities for Incumbents to Increase Revenues

2.4.9 Network Sharing a Source of Cost Efficiency

Table 11: Benefits that can be realised across different areas of the value chain with Network Sharing

Table 12: Benefits of Network Sharing to Telecom Industry as a Whole

2.5 Risks with Network Sharing Strategy

2.6 Possible Challenges of Network Sharing Strategy

2.6.1 Need of Taller Towers

2.6.2 Sharing May Limit Competition

2.6.3 Network Sharing can be used by larger operators to Undermine their competitors

2.6.4 Need to use advanced Sharing Tools

2.6.5 Need for detailed Ground Work

2.6.6 Organisational Consequences

2.6.7 Sharing of Existing Infrastructure poses interworking challenges

2.6.8 Need to Identify the Role of Third Party Vendor

2.6.9 Risk of Losing Control

2.6.10 Significant Costs may be incurred in setting up Network Sharing

Table 13: Network Sharing Operational Execution and Implementation Costs

3. Industry/Resource/Internal firm based Considerations

3.1 Is Infrastructure Sharing Viable?

Figure 7: Viability of Network Sharing Strategy

3.2 Industry Specific Consideration

3.2.1 PEST Analysis

Table 14: Business Case for Network Sharing

3.2.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

Figure 8: Five Forces Analysis For Network Operators

3.2.3 Sector Analysis

3.2.3.1 Tier 2 Operators

3.2.3.2 Tier 1 Operators

3.2.3.2.1 Sharing offers a new Source of Revenue

3.2.3.3 Greenfield Operators

3.2.4 Region of Operation

3.2.4.1 Matured Markets

3.2.4.2 Developing Markets

3.2.5 Co-opetition (Collaboration among Rivals)

3.2.6 Regulatory Risks

Table 15: Regulatory Provisions for Network Sharing across Different Countries

Table 16: Regulatory Risks to Consider

3.2.6.1 China

3.2.6.2 UK

3.2.6.3 India

3.2.6.4 Norway

3.2.6.5 France

3.2.6.6 Sweden

3.2.6.7 Australia

3.3 Resource Specific Considerations

3.3.1 Tangible Resources

3.3.1.1 Network Infrastructure

3.3.1.2 Legacy Systems

3.3.1.3 GSM Networks

3.3.1.4 3G Networks

3.3.1.5 LTE Networks

3.3.2 Skilled Workforce

3.3.3 Analyse the Core Competence

Table 17: Internal Assessment for Network Sharing Strategy

Table 18: Benchmarking guidelines for Network Sharing Proposition

3.4 Firm Specific Considerations

3.4.1 Company's Culture

3.4.2 Key Stakeholders

Table 19: Critical Questions to Consider for Network Sharing Strategy

Table 20: Operator's Network Sharing Strategy and its Outcome

4. Critical Success Factors for Network Sharing

Figure 9: Successful Network Sharing Scenario

4.1 Designing Fail-proof Strategies

4.2 Design a compelling business case for all stakeholders

4.3 Select the best operating model for the deal

4.4 Regulatory Bodies should Play Positive Role

Table 21: Regulatory Factors Necessary for Successful Network Sharing Strategy

4.5 Building Flexibility, Scalability and Adaptability in the Network Sharing

5. Business Case for Network Sharing

5.1 Analysing Economic Attractiveness of Network Sharing

Table 22: Economic Benefits from Network Sharing

5.1.1 Adopting Network Sharing will help in improving data ARPU

Chart 3: Voice and Data ARPU in the US

Chart 4: Data ARPU by Geography (2009)

Chart 5: Data ARPU by Geography (2015)

5.1.1.1 Developed Markets

5.1.1.2 Developing Markets

5.1.2 Network Sharing Will Manage CapEx

Chart 6: Wireless Capex (2007-2015)

Chart 7: European Operator's CapEx Breakdown

Figure 10: Network Sharing Savings Vs Complexity

5.1.2.1 Passive Sharing

Chart 8: Division of Cost between Active and Passive Network Elements (2015)

Chart 9: Savings in CapEx from Passive Sharing (2007-2015)

Chart 10: Savings in CapEx from Active Sharing

5.1.2.2 Active Sharing

5.1.2.3 Active Sharing agreements Signed by operators

5.1.2.3.1 Sweden's 3G sharing Model

5.1.2.3.2 Australia's active 3G sharing Model

5.1.3 Network Sharing will Reduce OpEx

Chart 11: OpEx Breakdown for an European Operator

5.1.4 Network Sharing will help in solving the Capacity Issues

5.1.4.1 Data Traffic Growth

Chart 12: Global Mobile Data Traffic Growth (2009-2015)

5.1.4.2 Data Subscribers

5.2 Network Sharing Market Overview

5.2.1 Technology perspective

5.2.1.1 GSM

5.2.1.2 3G

Chart 13: Global W-CDMA and GSM Subscriber Growth (2009-2015)

Chart 14: Global 3G Revenues (2009-2015)

5.2.1.3 LTE

Chart 15: LTE Operator Revenues (2009-2015)

Chart 16: LTE Subscriber Growth (2009-2015)

5.2.1.3.1 Cost of LTE Deployment

5.2.1.3.2 Network Sharing with LTE

5.2.1.3.3 4G Agreement in Sweden

5.2.2 Country Perspective

Table 23: Recent Sharing Agreements

Chart 17: Network Sharing Market Segmentation by Region (2015)

Chart 18 : CapEx breakdown by Region

5.2.2.1 UK

5.2.2.2 India

5.2.2.3 Afghanistan

5.2.2.4 China

5.2.2.5 Kenya

5.2.2.6 Turkey

5.2.2.7 Italy

5.2.2.8 Hong Kong

5.2.3 Operator's Perspective

Table 24: Operator List of Infrastructure Sharing Deals

5.2.3.1 Telefonica and Vodafone

5.2.3.2 T-Mobile and 3

5.2.3.3 Etisalat and Reliance Communications

5.2.4 Vendor's Perspective

Chart 19: Wireless Vendor Revenues (2008-2015)

5.2.4.1 Vendor Strategies

Chart 20: Percentage Increase in Operators opting for Managed Services (2009-2015)

Chart 21: Services Revenues for Key Vendors (2015)

Chart 22: Key Vendor Market Share in Managed Services (2015)

5.2.4.1.1 Ericsson

5.2.4.1.2 Nokia Siemens Network

5.2.4.1.3 Alcatel Lucent

5.2.4.1.4 Huawei

5.2.4.1.5 Arqiva

5.2.4.1.6 Crown Castle

5.2.4.1.7 Quippo

5.2.4.1.8 Mobiserveholding

5.2.4.1.9 Gridcom UK

5.2.4.1.10 Vanu Inc

5.3 Cost Benefit Analysis for Different types of sharing options

Table 25: Pro's and Con's of Different Sharing Scenario

5.3.1 Site and Tower Sharing

5.3.2 RAN Sharing

Chart 23: RAN sharing and Associated Savings for Network Operators

5.3.3 Backhaul Sharing

Chart 24: Backhaul CapEx savings with Sharing

5.3.4 Core Network Sharing

Chart 25: Savings Realised from Core Network Sharing (2010-2015)

Chart 26: Savings Realised from Core Transmission Sharing (2010-2015)

5.4 Next Step to Network Sharing

Chart 27: Typical CapEx and OpEx Breakdown of Expenditure for European Operators

Chart 28: Cost and Profit analysis for the Network Operators

5.5 Summary

Table 26: Sharing Scenarios

Table 27: Network Sharing Adoption Proposition

6. Formulation, Evaluation and Performance management of Network Sharing Strategy

6.1 Network Sharing Strategy Formulation

Table 28: Increasing Shareholder Values with Network Sharing

Table 29: Basic elements needed in Network Sharing Strategy

6.1.1 Identify Scope of Network Sharing

6.1.2 Other Scope Issues

6.1.3 Objectives

6.1.4 Finding out the Optimal Partner

6.1.5 Data Review

6.1.6 Selecting an Operating Model

6.1.6.1 Passive Sharing Alliance

6.1.6.2 Spinning off the Network as Independent Company

6.1.6.3 MNVO Model

Table 30: Operating model and Associated Issues

6.1.6.4 RAN Sharing Model

6.2 Change Management

6.2.1 Big Bang Approach

6.2.2 Step by Step Approach

Figure 11: Step by Step Approach to Network Sharing

6.2.2.1 Timeline for step by step approach

6.2.4 Monitoring and Control

7. Conclusion

Table 31: Network Sharing SWOT Analysis

7.1 Need to Adopt Lean Business Model

7.2 Regulators need to take Proactive Measures

7.3 Some Questions to Consider by Operators

7.3.1 How can Network Sharing make any improvements in terms of costs and quality?

7.3.2 How does Network Sharing affect Operator's Position in the Wireless Value Chain?

Figure 12: Operator Structure with Network Sharing

7.3.3 Why are vendors pushing for Network Sharing?

7.3.4 Why Operators can share Networks?

7.3.5 Why is operators' core competence changing?

7.3.6 How does Network Sharing affect Vendors Position in the Wireless Value Chain?

7.3.7 What is the need for sharing when the similar benefits can be achieved by Managed Services?

7.3.8 Is sharing a good strategy in all markets and conditions? 

Companies Listed

3, Italy

3, UK,

3, Australia

3, Sweden

Aircel, India

Alcatel Lucent

Apple

Arieso

Arqiva

Banglalink, Bangladesh

Celtel, Africa

Cisco

Crown Castle

Datacom Solutions

Deutsche telekom

Djezzy, Egypt

du, UAE

Ericsson

Essar Telecom, Kenya

Etisalat, Egypt

France Telecom

Gridcom UK

HKBN, Hongkong

Huawei

Hutchison Telecommunications

Irancell

KPN

LaCom, Algeria

MCCI

Millicom, SA

Mobilink, Pakistan

Mobinil, Egypt

Mobiserveholding

Motorola

NEC

Nokia

Nokia Siemens Network

O2, Czechoslovakia

O2, UK

Optus , Australia,

Quippo

Reliance Communications

Reliance Infratel

RIM

Roshan, Afghanistan

S Tel, India

Sonera, Germany,

Tele2, Sweden

Telecom Italia

Telefonica

Telefonica, Germany

Telenor. Sweden

Telia, Sweden

Taliya, Iran

Tellabs

Telstra, Australia

T-Mobile, UK

T-Mobile, Czechoslovakia,

T-Mobile, UK

Orascom Telecom Tunisie (Tunisiana), Tunisia

Turkcell, Turkey

Vanu Inc

Virgin, UK

Vodacom, SA

Vodafone, UK

Vodafone, India

Vodafone, Czechoslovakia,

Zain Kenya

Zantel, Tanzania

ZTE 

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