Europe - Central Europe Market Overview and Analysis 2003

Synopsis

This report covers the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia. All are due to join the EU in May 2004. Preparations for EU accession have driven policy and regulation. Fixed-line numbers are generally declining with high mobile growth driven by prepaid usage. Despite liberalisation, there is little fixed-line competition. Internet use is generally low, as is broadband Internet use, partly due to lack of affordability of PCs. Cable TV is widely available in the region, leading to cable modems being a popular broadband connection method.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Key developments in the Central European telecom market
• 3. Market overview
  • 3.1 Regulatory environment
    • 3.1.1 Interconnection and access
    • 3.1.2 Number Portability (NP)
    • 3.1.3 Privatisation
  • 3.2 Major fixed network operators
  • 3.3 Telecommunications infrastructure
  • 3.4 Internet market
  • 3.5 Broadband networks and services
  • 3.6 Content and e-services
  • 3.7 Wireless communications
    • 3.7.1 Mobile operators
    • 3.7.2 3G
  • 3.8 Broadcasting
• 4. Telecoms in Central Europe
• 5. Related reports

• Table 1 – Central European economic statistics - 2002
• Table 2 – Year of fixed-line liberalisation
• Table 3 – Fixed-line teledensity - 2002
• Table 4 – Internet penetration - 2002
• Table 5 – Mobile penetration and growth – March 2003
• Table 6 – Prepaid users - 2002

• Exhibit 1 – Ownership of incumbent operators – September 2003