Greece - Mobile Market Insights, Overview and Statistics

Synopsis

Greece has a well-developed mobile market characterised by high SIM card penetration. The market is dominated by the three mobile network operators Wind Hellas, Vodafone Greece and Cosmote. Tariffs have fallen in recent years as a result of competition and regulatory mandated reductions in MTRs. The recent auction for renewed licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands provided €380 million for the cash-strapped government as well as additional capabilities for MNOs to expand mobile broadband. These operators are focussed on growing revenue through developing the mobile data sector, for which they have concentrated investment in network upgrades for HSPA and LTE. The search for growth has also led Cosmote to pursue merger and acquisition activities in lesser-developed markets within the Balkans region, while Wind Hellas has found itself struggling.

This report provides an overview of Greece’s mobile market, covering regulatory and market developments, and the latest financial and operating statistics of the key players.

Key developments:

Wind Hellas bankruptcy; economic effects on mobile market spending; amended laws reducing SIM card penetration; 2G spectrum to be refarmed for 3G and 4G use; 9000MHz and 1800MHz auction results; Wind Hellas invests in HSPA+ network upgrade; operator data to end-2011; market developments into 2012.

Companies covered include:

Vodafone, Cosmote, Wind Hellas.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Mobile communications
  • 2.1 Overview of Greece’s mobile market
  • 2.2 Regulatory issues
    • 2.2.1 Significant Market Power (SMP) obligations
    • 2.2.2 Mobile termination rates (MTRs)
    • 2.2.3 Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
    • 2.2.4 Spectrum refarming
  • 2.3 Mobile statistics
  • 2.4 Mobile market developments
    • 2.4.1 900MHz and 1800MHz licence renewal
    • 2.4.2 Third Generation (3G) mobile
  • 2.5 Major mobile operators
    • 2.5.1 Wind Hellas
    • 2.5.2 Vodafone Greece
    • 2.5.3 Cosmote
  • 2.6 Mobile voice services
    • 2.6.1 Prepaid cards
  • 2.7 Mobile data services
    • 2.7.1 Short Messaging Service (SMS)/Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
    • 2.7.2 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
    • 2.7.3 HSPA
    • 2.7.4 Mobile TV
    • 2.7.5 Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC)
  • 2.8 Mobile content and applications
• 3. Related reports

• Table 1 – Mobile number portings – 2004 - 2010
• Table 2 – Mobile subscribers (SIM) and penetration – 1996 - 2013
• Table 3 – Active mobile subscribers (SIM) – 2003 - 2013
• Table 4 – Wind Hellas ARPU – 2009 - 2010
• Table 5 – Wind Hellas subscribers – 2009 - 2010
• Table 6 – Vodafone subscribers – 2008 - 2011
• Table 7 – Vodafone ARPU – 2008 - 2011
• Table 8 – Vodafone revenue – 2008 - 2011
• Table 9 – Cosmote financial data – 2007 - 2011
• Table 10 – Cosmote ARPU – 2006 - 2011
• Table 11 – Cosmote subscribers – 2006 - 2011
• Table 12 – Ratio of prepaid to postpaid subscribers – 2000 - 2012
• Table 13 – Cosmote prepaid subscribers – 2005 - 2011
• Table 14 – Vodafone proportion of prepaid subscribers – 2005 - 2011
• Table 15 – Total SMS messages sent – 2002 - 2012

• Chart 1 – Mobile subscribers (SIM) and penetration – 2003 – 2013
• Chart 2 – Wind Hellas ARPU – 2009 – 2010
• Chart 3 – Vodafone ARPU – 2008 – 2011
• Chart 4 – Cosmote financial data – 2007 – 2011

• Exhibit 1 – 2G auction results – 2001
• Exhibit 2 – 900MHz and 1800MHz auction spectrum – 2011
• Exhibit 3 – 900MHz and 1800MHz auction results – 2011
• Exhibit 4 – 3G auction results in Greece – 2001