Synopsis
Germany’s market for digital TV and bundled services has grown strongly on the back of excellent DSL and cable infrastructure. The capacity for consumers to make use of VoD and IPTV services will increase considerably during the next three years as cabled 120Mb/s networks increase their footprint and Telekom Deutschland’s FttH network expands to reach four million homes, complementing its existing VDSL infrastructure.
Digital TV has undergone regulatory and licensing processes, and successful rollouts will have extended the service to more than 90% of the population. Digital dividend spectrum, released from analogue switch-off and partly auctioned in 2010, promises bandwidth which can be used for advanced wireless services extending and enhancing the reach of converging media. In this report we provide an overview of convergence in Germany, including recent developments in VoD, bundled offerings and VoIP services, together with an overview of the digital and satellite TV markets.
Key developments:
Unitymedia merges with Kabel BW; Entertain Sat shows early promise; KDG launches VoD service, extends 100Mb/s services on DOCSIS3.0 technology to 7.5 million homes; digital TV penetration reaches 50% of homes; Kabel BW adds linear TV to VoD service; Vodafone relaunches multiplatform IPTV service; Unitymedia adds mobile voice and data to bundled packages; KDG fails in bid to buy Tele Columbus; TD re-enters cable TV market; regulator’s market data for 2011, VATM market data for 2011; telcos’ operating and financial data to end-2012; market developments to February 2013.
Companies covered in this report include:
Telekom Deutschland, O2 Germany, Vodafone, ARD, ZDF, RTL Group, Sky Deutschland.
