Competition and innovation in wireless mobile and internet service in Samoa: a case study

Abstract

This study explores competition in Samoa's wireless mobile and internet service markets respectively. The research purpose was firstly to discern whether competition had been successful in those markets and secondly, to identify what the current issues being faced by policymakers, the telecommunications regulator, the service operators and users in relation to the competitive telecommunications market. It was found that competition had successfully stimulated innovative performance in the wireless mobile market but true competition had yet to be attained in the internet service market due to an exclusive license on the provision of wholesale data. Particular regulatory issues in this case included the lack of interconnection rate calculation and procedures and the exclusivity of licensing on international data gateways. In relation to size, it appears that a small population can sustain competition if the regulatory and business models are conducive to it. Recommendations and future areas of research are discussed.