Data from greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets shows that the number of FDI projects in the communications sector increased in the second half of 2013, compared to the first half of the year. There were 38 projects recorded in July, which almost doubled to 74 projects in November. An increase was also seen in capital expenditure and the number of new jobs created, rising from $2.4bn to $8.0bn and 4899 to 7196, respectively.

There was a month-on-month decrease in FDI in the communications sector in October 2013, when 54 projects were recorded compared with 62 in September and capital expenditure also declined, from $6.6bn to $2.8bn. Apart from this, however, FDI in the communications sector grew month on month in the year.

The largest recipient of communications projects and jobs was the US, which recorded 21 projects and 2872 jobs. The US was not the largest recipient in terms of capital expenditure however, receiving $1.02bn, compared with Brazil, which received $5.03bn from 11 projects.

The sub-sector with the greatest number of projects was communications equipment, with 59 projects recorded and 10,143 new jobs created. Wired telecommunications carriers received the highest capital expenditure, with investment of $6.94bn from 58 projects.