Analyse du marché des télécommunications mobiles en République Démocratique du Congo : Dynamique du marché et stratégies des acteurs

This article aims to identify the real nature of the mobile telecommunications market in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study indicates that the mobile penetration rate is 44.6% at the end of 2014, higher than the African average of 37%. Between 2002 and 2007, the Congolese mobile market evolved from an oligopolistic structure to monopolistic competition. The new firms enter to the market through the acquisition of infrastructure from follower firms and exceptionally by foreign direct investment. In the conquest of the market shares, two groups of actors interact in the market: the leaders who control the market forces and followers who mimic their behavior on that of leaders. The study reveals that in terms of pricing, firms choose two modes: prepaid and post-payment method which is associated with the principle of hourly modulation. The study also indicates that the intense competition between operators is through marketing strategies favorable to the quality of service rather than by the reduction in the price of communications. It suggests to the government to set up a regulatory framework requiring firms to provide access to their networks and defining quality standards for interconnection and service to consumers.