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). 14