Towards Evidence-based ICT Policy and Regulation
Relatively stable
(and even declining)
and cheap whatever
the call destination,
connection rates on
a fixed line are not
prohibitive in Benin,
despite the national
monopoly. On the
other hand, the
connection flat rate
consists of a high entry
price for a majority of
the population.
From the analysis of the previous table it emerges that the rate for a minute of local
communication is 20 FCFA. The rates for a minute of interurban communication and to a mobile
network are respectively set at 60 FCFA and 120 FCFA. We can also observe that the different
national rates on the fixed-line network of Bénin-Télécom SA have not changed over the 2007–
2009 period. Furthermore, it has put an end to the principle of hourly load factor on the fixed
landline network in Benin.
For international communication, countries are classified into two groups. The first group is made
up of African countries, France, Italy, the United States, Canada and certain European and Asian
countries. The second group is made up of other states not included in the first group. On the
basis of this classification, two rates are applied to international communication. For a minute of
communication to a country in the first group, the user must pay the amount of 240 FCFA.
However, users pay the high amount of 1,200 FCFA for a minute of communication to the states
in the second group. For certain countries of the first group (France, Italy, the United States, and
Canada), the use of the prepaid card Télé Plus allows users to pay the amount of 50 FCFA only per
call minute.
Relatively stable and cheap whatever the call destination, connection rates on a fixed line are not
prohibitive in Benin, despite the national monopoly. On the other hand, the connection flat rate
consists of a high entry price for a majority of the population.
Service Prices on the GSM Mobile Telephone Network
During 2009,
communication
rates on the mobile
telephone network
have experienced a
general decline
During 2009, communication rates on the mobile telephone network have experienced a
general decline. In fact, the average rate (per minute) of intra-network communication (on net)
went down from 66 FCFA in December 2008 to 59 FCFA in December 2009. At the same time, the
average communication rates to other networks (off-net rates) decreased from 148 FCFA per
minute to 124 FCFA.
Table 12: Evolution of call rates on mobile networks (in FCFA excluding taxes).
2007
Intra-network communication
2008
2009
50/90
50/90
25/65
To local fixed lines
120/160
120/160
100/160
To other mobile networks
120/160
120/160
100/160
To UEMOA countries
135/240
125/240
100/185
To France
180/240
180/240
100/185
To the USA
180/240
180/240
100/185
Source: ATRPT (2010).
International call rates have also dropped over 2009. To remain competitive in the market, operators
make an effort to always be in line with the low rates of their competitors.
SMS rates, after negotiation between operators under the supervision of the ATRPT, have also
experienced a downward evolution
Table 13: Evolution of SMS rates.
2007
2008
2009
SMS on net
20/25
20/25
15/25
SMS off net
50
50
50
65/75
65/75
65/75
SMS international
Source: ATRPT (2010).
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