Last updated: 27 Mar 2012 Update History
Report Status: Archived
Report Pages: 128
Analyst: Henry Lancaster
Publication Overview
This report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Sweden’s telecommunications market. The report analyses the mobile, Internet, broadband, digital TV and converging media sectors. Subjects include:
Key developments:
Telecom revenue expected to show continued improvement in 2012 following slight growth in 2011; Sweden’s GDP expects 3.8% growth in 2011; TeliaSonera obliged to give competitors unbundled access to dark fibre local access networks; TeliaSonera commits to SEK8 billion FttP investment in Nordic and Baltic markets; World Economic Forum (WEF) ranks Sweden the world’s most connected economy; government’s bid to sell stake in TeliaSonera defeated in Parliament; regulator finds that 9% of mobile data users send 87% of traffic; government raises SEK2.05 billion from 800MHz spectrum; shared network of Telenor and H3 upgraded with HSPA+ to 42Mb/s; TeliaSonera planning VoLTE services in 2013; regulator consults on use of 2.3GHz spectrum; Net 1 upgrades network with CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev B technology in the 450MHz band; H3 contracts to provide world first LTE TDD/FDD dual-mode network; MNOs secure LTE smartphones; TeliaSonera plans LTE network expansion to cover 663 localities by the end of 2012; MNOs launch mobile wallet service JV; regulator assigns additional 1800MHz spectrum with generous terms; regulator’s market data for H1 2011; operator data to 2011; market developments to early 2012.
Companies covered in this report include:
Telenor, TeliaSonera, Tele2, Com Hem, PiteEnergi, BAS, H3 Sweden, Net 1, Canal Digital, Viasat, Boxer, MTG.
Researcher:- Henry Lancaster
Current publication date:- March 2012 (10th Edition)
Executive Summary
BuddeComm’s biennial publication, Sweden - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends and developments in the telecommunications and digital media markets in Sweden. It provides an analysis on the latest market developments, including the regulator’s H1 2011 market report, operator data to the end of 2011 and updates into 2012.
Sweden has fared better than most countries in weathering the ongoing economic downturn. GDP fell 5.3% in 2009 in the wake of the 2008 crisis, but recovered quickly, growing at some 5.5% in 2010 and by an estimated 3.8% in 2011. This performance has been mirrored in the country’s telecoms market: although telecoms revenue was stagnant for a number of years, and fell in 2008, sine then it has increased steadily and is expected to reach some SEK54.2 billion for 2012. The market has continued the trend for consumer migration to mobile voice and data services at the expense of fixed-line telephony. More calls are now made via mobile networks than the fixed network, while there are almost as many mobile broadband subscriptions as there are via the copper network.
Sweden was the first country in Europe to develop a broadband policy, as early as 1999. The country now has one of the highest broadband penetration rates in the region, and maintains one of the world’s most connected economies. Near-comprehensive DSL coverage is complemented by excellent urban cable infrastructure and significant fibre networks which attract high-end broadband subscribers. Open access networks in a number of municipalities enable providers to offer services far cheaper than if they had built their own networks. By 2013 about 90% of homes and business will be covered by FttH. Numerous networks open to a range of content and service providers have been built by organisations other than telcos, including municipalities, regional governments, housing associations and local utilities. Municipal and local area networks have quadrupled in reach since 1999.
Mobile phone penetration remains among the highest in the EU, while 4G services have been launched by operators. TeliaSonera launched the world’s first commercial LTE network at the end of 2009, and in early 2012 the company, together with Tele2, were the first to offer LTE smartphones. Despite market saturation subscriber growth remains steady, particularly in the 3G/4G sector. This has been mirrored by greater consumer take-up of mobile data services made possible by significant network investment. In addition, consumers are increasingly moving to mobile telephony for calls: mobile networks now carry the majority of traffic. By the end of 2012, 4G should be available to 99% of the population.
Sweden also has one of the most developed digital TV markets in the Nordic region. The government awarded multiplex licences as early as 1998. Multiplex ownership is separated from content broadcast over them: Teracom built, owns and operates the digital TV multiplex. When the DTTV network was launched in early 1999, Sweden was only the second country in Europe to have the system. The five-stage phased analogue switch-over process was completed by late 2007, ahead of schedule.
Key telecom parameters – 2010; 2012
Sector |
2010 |
2012 (e) |
Broadband: |
||
Fixed broadband subscribers (million) |
2.99 |
3.12 |
Fixed broadband penetration rate |
38% |
43% |
Mobile broadband subscribers (million) |
2.9 |
3.9 |
Subscribers to telecoms services: |
||
Fixed-line telephony (million) |
4.3 |
3.9 |
Mobile phone (million) |
12.58 |
13.75 |
Mobile SIM penetration (population) |
133% |
141% |
(Source: BuddeComm)
Market Highlights
This report is essential reading for those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecom sector in Sweden. It provides further information on:
Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year.
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