The type of information you are looking for can be found in the
Country Commercial Guides prepared by the U.S. Department of State, to
assist companies that are doing business (or considering doing
business) in a particular country.
The relevant report for Honduras -- which is fairly current -- can be
found at:
http://www.usatrade.gov/website/ccg.nsf/CCGurl/CCG-HONDURAS2002-CH--006368C0
The telecom sector is considered one of the best investment prospects
in Honduras (relatively speaking, of course). The report describes it
this way:
----------------
The telecommunications sector in Honduras is undergoing a major
restructuring process, which initiated in 1995 with the establishment
of new legislation that encouraged the incorporation of new
technologies and value-added services, as well as the participation of
private capital in the state-owned operating company. Although
Hondutel's capitalization process has been temporarily postponed for
an indefinite period of time, the government is currently analyzing an
alternative reform strategy for further opening the telecom sector.
Modernization investments are foreseen for both the short and medium
term in the areas of fiber optics, internet, fixed wireless band width
access, PCS, high speed data service telephony, service quality
improvement and expansion of telephonic coverage. Hondutel's
investments aimed at improving its operating capacity should provide
opportunities for service providers and equipment suppliers, as the
company expands its networks to meet increased demand. Honduras has
significant telecommunications opportunities yet to be exploited,
especially in the wireless sub-sector. The Government of Honduras has
also announced its intention to sell one of the country's two mobile
cellular telephone bands (Band B). Demand for cellular telephone
services and wireless equipment has increased since Hurricane Mitch,
mainly as a result of the damage to the country's telecom
infrastructure and inefficient service. By the end of 1999, installed
telephone capacity was 397,985 lines, for a line penetration of 4.3
lines per one hundred inhabitants. Unmet service demand is
approximately 300,000 lines. Honduras's unique location at the heart
of Central America makes the sector attractive for international
companies who wish to penetrate this regional market. There is no
local production of telecommunications equipment in Honduras.
Statistical Data:
(USD MILLIONS)...............2000 ......2001 ......2002
Total Market Size ...........57.2...... 65.8 ......75.6
Total Local Production......... 0 ......0 ......0
Total Exports ..................0 ......0...... 0
Total Imports 57.2 ..........65.8 ......75.6
Total Imports from the US....26.9 ......30.9...... 35.5
Exchange Rate: 1 U.S. Dollar = 15.50 Lempiras
(Except for 2000, the above statistics are unofficial estimates).
Best Sales Prospects:
Most promising sub-sectors include cellular and wireless telephone
systems, data transmission equipment, fiber optic equipment, trunked
mobile radio systems and paging systems.
-------------------------
There is additional information on telecom throughout the report,
including the major legislation and regulatory issues; major players
in the business; internet joint ventures; direct marketing services;
government contacts; links to other information; etc.
I think you will find this your best source of free information on the
Honduras telecom business -- more in-depth market reports would have
to bne obtained from private commerical services, usually for quite a
handsome fee.
I hope this meets your needs, but if anything here is not clear, or
requires elaboration, just let me know through a Request for
Clarification, and I'll be happy to assist you further.
pafalafa-ga |
