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Morocco World
24-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ANRT Greenlights Joint Ventures Between Maroc Telecom, Inwi
Marrakech – Morocco's telecommunications regulator has approved a major partnership between two of the country's largest telecom operators. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) has officially authorized the economic concentration project between Itissalat Al-Maghrib (Maroc Telecom) and Wana Corporate (Inwi). The decision, published Monday, allows the creation of two joint ventures focused on infrastructure sharing. This marks a turning point in Morocco's telecom landscape and was formally notified to the regulator on May 20. The first joint venture, nicknamed FiberCo, will focus on passive fiber optic infrastructure deployment. With capital of MAD 3 billion (approximately $300 million), this company will specialize in deploying passive FTTH (Fiber To The Home) infrastructure accessible to all operators. FiberCo will provide passive access to fiber up to the end customer, allowing each operator to maintain technical and commercial freedom over the services it offers. The venture has ambitious targets of reaching 1 million connections within two years and 3 million connections over five years. The second entity, TowerCo, will concentrate on hosting infrastructure for radio equipment—including towers, sites, and antennas—with a planned investment of MAD 1.4 billion ($140 million). Both companies will be legally autonomous with their own human, material, and financial resources. TowerCo will focus on constructing new telecommunications towers and renovating existing infrastructure, targeting 2,000 towers within three years and 6,000 towers over the next decade. The partnership marks a notable reconciliation between the two telecom giants, ending a legal dispute that saw Maroc Telecom ordered to pay MAD 6.38 billion ($638 million). Under the new agreement, both sides will drop ongoing proceedings, with compensation reduced to MAD 4.38 billion ($438 million). Terms, conditions, and advantages In its decision dated June 18, the ANRT stipulates the independent nature of these entities. They must operate according to principles of neutrality, transparency, and non-discrimination. The parent companies cannot claim any advantage in terms of access or pricing. The decision also governs information flow between FiberCo and TowerCo, as well as their parent companies. The regulator mandates watertight information systems and separate decision-making processes. From a competitive standpoint, ANRT considers that the operation does not raise major concerns. It does not modify the structure of retail markets, in which the joint ventures have no intention of participating. Regarding wholesale markets, the agency believes that creating FiberCo could actually promote competitive dynamics, particularly in FTTH, through infrastructure sharing that has been underdeveloped in this format until now. For TowerCo, ANRT acknowledges that Maroc Telecom and Inwi already hold more than 65% of the passive mobile infrastructure market together. This level could induce dominant position reinforcement effects if access to infrastructure was not strictly regulated. However, the current regulation has sufficient guarantees to prevent any discrimination, based on Law 24-96 and sharing obligations under Article 22 bis, along with the monitoring mechanism that ANRT intends to maintain. The decision also records commitments provided by Maroc Telecom and Inwi. These cover various aspects, from publishing reference offers validated by ANRT to effective opening of services to third parties, and governance mechanisms designed to prevent any anti-competitive coordination. A legitimate partnership During the public consultation period from May 21 to 30, ANRT received observations from eighteen individuals and from Médi Telecom (Orange Morocco). Individual comments focused mainly on expectations regarding FTTH coverage expansion, price reduction, and service quality improvement. Médi Telecom stated it was 'favorable to any structuring and inclusive initiative aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of the Kingdom of Morocco' while also suggesting various safeguards to ensure fair competition. As part of their application, Maroc Telecom and Inwi submitted detailed commitments including governance structures for each joint venture, information system separation from parent companies, non-transfer of existing assets to the new entities, and guarantees of non-discriminatory access for all operators. Market shares as of March show Maroc Telecom holding 52.5% of fixed internet market share and 49.7% of FTTH market share, while Inwi holds 22.4% and 13.3% respectively. In mobile, Maroc Telecom has 32.6% market share with Inwi at 33.2%. For radio sites, Maroc Telecom owns 42.8% while Inwi controls 28.8%. Towards a digital transformation By validating this operation, ANRT paves the way for a more rationalized model in passive infrastructure deployments. It represents a step toward reasoned network sharing in a sector historically marked by costly duplication logic. The agency announced it will maintain enhanced surveillance over the first years of operation to ensure compliance with commitments. This green light comes as Morocco begins a new phase of digital transformation, where fair access to infrastructure will largely determine the effectiveness of competition and service quality for all users. As Morocco currently prepares for AFCON 2025 and the 2030 World Cup and major other international events, it is moving away from the old anti-competitive policies during Abdeslam Ahizoune's tenure at the helm of Maroc Telecom. Tags: ANRTInwiMaroc Telecom
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
How Foreign Direct Investment Is Helping Deliver World Leading Infrastructure In NZ
Foreign direct investment is helping deliver world-class mobile telecommunications infrastructure for New Zealanders, and the approach could unlock major gains across the rest of our infrastructure sector, says a new report by Infrastructure New Zealand and Connexa. 'We constantly talk about reaching an infrastructure nirvana with modern assets providing world-class services and economic and social opportunities for Kiwis,' says Infrastructure New Zealand Chief Executive Nick Leggett. 'The good news is there are people already doing it using innovative delivery methods, components and pipeline certainty.' 'Connexa is a compelling example of how foreign direct investment, enabled by long-term thinking and a committed pipeline, can deliver nation-building infrastructure vital to the lives of New Zealanders. We just have to learn from them; the public good opportunity is huge.' 'Infrastructure development is sometimes thought about in old-fashioned terms, with slow-moving projects and eye-wateringly long timeframes,' says Connexa Chief Executive Rob Berrill. 'But with the right people and partners in place, critical community infrastructure can be delivered at pace and to a world-class standard.' 'Having a start-up mindset, combined with a committed pipeline of projects and experienced investors with a long-term vision, has enabled Connexa to deliver infrastructure in new and better ways.' 'The benefit of being a new company is that we started with a blank canvas and have been able to define our own culture, the way we work, and the kind of people we want to help take us on that journey.' Connexa is New Zealand's largest mobile tower infrastructure company (TowerCo). In February, Spark sold its remaining holding in the company to Canadian global investment group La Caisse, who along with Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan are now co-controlling shareholders, each with a 50% equity stake in Connexa. Titled Delivering Next Generation Infrastructure, the report outlines how Connexa has grown rapidly since 2022 to manage more than 2,500 tower sites, with another 800 new mobile towers planned over the next eight years. The report delivers seven insights that underpin Connexa's success, from the international investment model, forward pipeline and modular design to new approaches to workforce culture and delivery. 'The Connexa experience shows that if we want the best possible infrastructure for our people to earn, learn and lead productive lives we must be open to the benefits of foreign direct investment and willing to embark on new ways of funding, planning and delivering projects,' says Leggett. 'We now must learn to adapt this model to other sectors of our economy - and the wider way we plan, fund, procure and build the infrastructure we need.' Delivering Next Generation Infrastructure: How global investment and local innovation are shaping Aotearoa's digital future – the Connexa story is available here.
