Ongoing telecommunication reforms in North Africa are presenting new opportunities for investors, according to a report by Analysys Mason.

Titled "MENA Telecoms Market: Strategies and Opportunities 2008--2013," the report examines the key issues affecting the fixed, mobile and broadband markets in the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region.

More operators will enter the telecoms markets in the MENA region as liberalization continues, the report notes, but established players still have many opportunities to expand their presence in the region.

"Broadband services will represent the key growth area during the next five years," said Daniel Jones, report author and analyst at Analysys Mason. "Mobile operators need to position themselves to take advantage of this growth."

Morocco's third 2G license is expected to be issued in the coming months, for example, following the commencement of the bidding process in October. This is among the many opportunities still available in the region, Jones said.

"The new licenses and privatization activity will enable major operators in the region -- such as Etisalat, Orascom, Saudi Telecom, Qtel and Zain -- to expand their pan-regional operations and strengthen their grip on the region," he added.

According to the report, however, major investment opportunities in Algeria and Egypt are still clouded by political or regulatory issues that make it unclear as to when operators will be able to take advantage of these markets. Such issues have dogged the sale of a stake in Algérie Télécom and the issuance of a second fixed license in Egypt.