International Roaming Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Presented by Nathem Al Akroush ITU International Mobile Roaming Consultation meeting September15 th &16 th, 2016
Contents Introduction International roaming prices Affordability initiatives International roaming pricing challenges Recommendations
Introduction Jordan with other 21 Arabian country share the same culture and same language. To some extent the mobile market in Arabian countries are mature with high penetration rate and affordable mobile services. Roaming was and still the main concern for all Arabian countries Efforts made through Arab league encouraging lower roaming and international prices.
$/ Minute International Roaming Prices Jordan Example.. Jordanian roamer across Arab countries: Prepaid 8.00 7.00 7.05 6.00 5.00 4.23 4.00 3.00 2.82 2.82 2.00 1.00 0.00 1.40 1.41 1.41 0.85 0.92 0.71 0.56 0.63 0.00 Jordan Visited Country International Incoming call SMS 0.49 Zain Orange mniah
$/ Minute International Roaming Prices Across Arab countries postpaid pay higher for incoming and SMS Postpaid 4.5 4.0 4.2 4.2 3.5 3.0 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.0 Jordan Visited Country International Incoming call SMS Zain Orange Umniah 0.1
$/ Minute International Roaming Prices Jordanian roamer across rest of the world countries Prepaid 8.00 7.00 7.1 7.1 7.1 6.00 5.6 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.7 2.00 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.7 1.4 1.00 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.00 Jordan Visited Country International Incoming call SMS Zain Orange mniah
$/ Minute International Roaming Prices Rest of the world Postpaid 8.0 7.0 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 6.0 5.6 5.0 4.0 3.3 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 1.4 1.4 1.4 0.6 0.6 0.1 Jordan Visited Country International Incoming call SMS Zain Orange Umniah 0.5
$/ MB International Roaming Prices Data is the most expensive Data Prepaid 30.0 28.9 25.0 20.0 18.3 21.2 15.0 10.0 5.0 4.2 0.0 Rest of world One network, Palestine Zain Orange Umniah
$/ MB International Roaming Prices Still very high even with preferred agreements. Data Postpaid 25.0 21.2 21.2 21.2 20.0 16.9 16.9 15.0 10.0 5.0 4.2 4.2 0.0 Rest of world Arab One network, Palestine Rest of world Arab Orange EU and AF Zain Orange Umniah
International Roaming Prices Roaming priced based on the destination rather than the costing. Super normal profit generated from data roaming. Indications of agreements on roaming prices.
Affordability initiatives Roaming across GCC Seasonal Discount Preferred Agreement
Affordability initiatives GCC initiatives : Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE choosing to regulate among: 1. Taking no action. 2. Encouraging MNOs to lower retail prices. 3. Implementing price controls. 4. Taking steps to increase competition. outgoing calls, incoming calls, sending SMS and data services. According to GCC report Price cap control on retail and wholesale will gain USD 254m welfare.
Affordability Initiatives Seasonal Discount: Haj season discount allow roamer to benefit from voice and data discount. Preferred Agreement: Lowering roaming prices where the same operator work in several countries ( Zain one network).
Affordability Initiatives The initiatives good but limited benefits to other countries. There is possibility to lower roaming prices to act unilaterally or multi-laterally
International Roaming Pricing challenges High differences among countries with regards to: Taxation Qatar 0% while Jordan 43.8% Income per capita Qatar 95000$ while Jordan 5500$ ARPU Qatar 37$/month while Jordan 5.5$/
International roaming pricing challenges Different level of competition and different regulatory frame work. Costing structures and bargaining power Transparency and Commercially sensitive information Low ARPU operators challenging any initiatives to lowering roaming prices Some practices like steering and HLR blocking Existence of loyalty fees ( Revenue sharing) from telecom sector. Practicing market power on roaming and set high wholesale and retail prices
Recommendations Classical approach to deal with roaming: Increase consumer awareness and welcoming SMS Measures to avoid bill chock Price control such as price cap Classical approach is minimal effect on lowering the prices if acting unilaterally.
Recommendations It is better to act multilaterally : Coordination to set affordable prices by intervening at wholesale and retail level. Widening the multi-lateral agreements ( Jordan-GCC ) Coordination to prohibit steering and HLR blocking. The possibility to adopt more interventionist tool like decoupling.
Thank you for your attention