Morocco's mobile market is one of the more mature in the region, with a penetration rate of about 125%, reports Research & Markets.
All three mobile network operators offer fixed-line or fixed-wireless services and have developed mobile data services based on the extensive reach of LTE infrastructure. Growth in mobile data traffic is supported by the popular use of smartphones, which account for about 80% of all mobile phones in use.
The mobile operators are the main providers of internet services, accounting for the great majority of all internet connections. The issuing of LTE licences in 2015 included conditions to ensure that services covered at least 65% of the population by 2020, while the promotion of broadband accessibility nationally is also supported by the National Broadband Plan through to 2022 and by the Maroc Digital 2020 strategy. The extensive deployment of mobile broadband infrastructure will further consolidate the dominance of mobile players in the broadband sector in coming years.
Additionally, banking services are now available through mobile operators, with Inwi launching the country’s first m-Payment offering. It has since been joined by Orange Maroc, which has expanded the group-wide Orange Money initiative to the market.
The incumbent telco Maroc Telecom has undergone a strategic review following its acquisition of Etisalat's mobile businesses in several markets in the region. These additional international markets, including Chad in mid-2019, are providing a welcome boost to the company's overall revenue.