Executive summary
Broadband all the rage in Belarus
Belarus has enjoyed strong consistent economic growth despite significant government involvement, a fact that is also reflected in the development of its telecommunications market. Fixed-line density has grown steadily although much of the country remains underdeveloped. The high degree of government ownership in the sector reflects the status of the general economy, which is estimated to be 75% state-owned.
The recent global financial crisis forced Belarus to seek IMF assistance, with a total of US$3.46 billion obtained from the IMF as of mid-2010. IMF assistance led to devaluation of the Belarusian Rouble, forcing foreign owned telecom operators to raise tariffs. Belarus possesses a growing telecoms sector despite the lack of competition in the fixed sector.
Fixed-line services are offered by monopoly telecoms operator Beltelecom, which has improved network capacity and international Internet bandwidth to support bandwidth-intensive services such as broadband Internet access and broadband TV.
Broadband Internet services are available via ADSL, cable and wireless broadband. Uptake has improved significantly, with DSL expected to continue representing the majority of new broadband connections in 2010/11. Broadcasting services are available via broadband TV, cable and terrestrial TV platforms. Digital TV availability is expanding as part of a government initiative to ensure universal coverage by 2015.
Competition is strongest in the mobile market, where four mobile network operators compete. Services are offered by three GSM/WCDMA operators and one CDMA operator. Competition improved following the entrance of foreign players into the market, bringing with them technical and marketing knowledge. With the mobile voice market maturing the focus for future growth has shifted to mobile broadband services.
Market highlights:
- Fixed-line penetration continues to increase, making Belarus one of few such Eastern European countries and presenting an opportunity for future fixed broadband growth.
- Broadband represents the majority of all Internet connections, with strong growth despite adverse economic conditions. DSL is and will continue to be the most popular broadband access platform.
- Future Internet society development is guided by an Internet society development strategy for 2011-2015. Priorities include development to infrastructure, e-government, e-health, e-learning and human capital development
- Mobile broadband market prospects have improved following the launch of Belarus’s third and fourth competing 3G mobile networks based on WCDMA/HSPA technology.
Belarus broadband and telecoms statistics – 2010
Sector
| 2010
| 2011
|
|---|
Broadband (thousand)
|
|---|
Fixed broadband penetration
| 13%
| 15%
|
Mobile broadband penetration
| 30%
| 33%
|
Subscribers to telecoms services (million)
|
|---|
Fixed-line telephone subscribers
| 4.0
| 4.1
|
Mobile phone subscribers
| 10.5
| 10.6
|
(Source: BuddeComm based on industry data)
This report covers trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, Internet, broadband, digital TV and broadcasting including IPTV developments. Subjects include:
- Market and industry analyses, trends and developments;
- Facts, figures and statistics;
- Industry and regulatory issues;
- Infrastructure;
- Major players, revenues, subscribers, ARPU, MOU;
- Internet, IPTV;
- Mobile voice and data markets;
- Broadband (DSL, cable TV, wireless);
- Broadcasting.
