Benin Telecommunications Sector Performance Review 2007

Benin
and the use of fibre optics. The sector authorities need to seize the window
of opportunity to unbundle the cable network operations to foster a
rapid development of services.
A particular effort must be made in terms of providing computer equipment
to educational institutions for access to the Internet. These actions
must start in the higher education institutions and spread to primary
schools. It is necessary that in the next three years each university student
in Benin should know how to use a PC and be able to surf the Internet
and send and receive his/her electronic mails. Special training programmes
and university equipment must be designed for this purpose.
For a total population of about seven million inhabitants, there are four
GSM operators in Benin. This is one of the problems that caused the relatively
high cost of communication in Benin. In the short run, the
unbundling of communication networks must be considered, aimed at
reducing the costs supported by the various operators and consequently
the tariffs charged to consumers. The mobile telephone segment in particular
needs retail and wholesale regulation.
The acquisition of ICTs by the population also depends on the availability
of Internet services. There is therefore a pressing need to reduce the
regulatory burden of licensing of Internet service providers. The competition
between access providers will help reduce the costs and improve
availability of connections.
Unfortunately, access to ICT within government services in Benin is low.
Urgent actions from the government will be welcomed in order to
improve an ICT appropriation process. It will be a question of better provision
of computer equipment to public administration services. Training
in ICT should also be given to public and private administration staff.
Effective regulation is required for the development of the sector and this
needs to fall within the competence of an autonomous and independent
authority. Insofar as this is currently regulated, it is carried out by the
Ministry in charge of ICTs. Regulation of the mass media (press, radio
and television) is carried out by Audio-visual and Communications High
Authority.
Lastly, Benin will significantly improve the development of ICT by establishing
a clear telecommunications policy framework to provide a vision
for the sector.
44 2007 Telecommunications Sector Performance Review