Telecom towers market in Emerging Asia
- Ownership Shift: Half of the telecom towers in Emerging Asia are still owned by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), but this is expected to shift towards greater TowerCo ownership through Sale & Leaseback and Built-To-Suit initiatives1.
- Market Trends: Increased M&A activity is noted, especially in the Philippines and Indonesia, to enhance TowerCos’ scale and efficiency.
- Growth Opportunities: Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia are experiencing significant growth in the tower market due to regulatory support, digital transformation policies, and the rollout of 5G networks.
- Challenges: Myanmar faces political challenges affecting its telecom tower market, while Vietnam’s independent TowerCo presence remains limited despite growth potential.
Specific countries highlights
Indonesia
- Leading Market: Over 95% TowerCo penetration.
- Growth Factors: Investment in rural areas, increasing mobile data, and 5G rollout.
- Regulatory Support: Amended Omnibus Law encourages growth and consolidation.
Malaysia
- Government Support: Public funding and proactive digital transformation policies.
- Growth Projections: Telecom tower market to grow at 14.0% CAGR from 2024 to 20294.
- JENDELA Policy: Aims for 100% 4G access and 5G preparation.
Myanmar
- Rapid Expansion: Significant growth from 2015 to 2020.
- Challenges: Political unrest and declining foreign investment.
- Future Prospects: Expected growth in 4G and 5G subscribers.
Bangladesh
- Market Expansion: Rapid growth with new TowerCos entering the market.
- Regulatory Changes: SLA guidelines promote TowerCo operations.
- 5G Trials: Expanding 4G adoption and preparing for 5G.
Philippines
- Policy Reforms: Common Tower Policy encourages shared infrastructure.
- Growth Needs: Significant investment required to meet coverage goals.
- New Players: Entry of DITO enhances competition and infrastructure sharing.
Vietnam
- Limited TowerCo Presence: Only around 9% of towers owned by TowerCos.
- Government Initiatives: Encouraging shared use of telecom infrastructure.
- Growth Potential: Higher CAPEX for 5G deployment expected to attract private investments.
Read more at: Telecom Towers Market in Emerging Asia
