Greece - Mobile Market Insights, Overview and Statistics

Synopsis

Greece has a well-developed mobile market characterised by high SIM card penetration, although penetration levels point to multiple SIM card ownership by individuals. Three mobile network operators offer mobile voice and data services: Wind Hellas, Vodafone Greece and Cosmote. Tariffs have improved both due to competition as well as regulatory mandated reductions in mobile network termination rates. The impending auction for renewed licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands will provide much needed cash for the government as well as provide additional capabilities to expand mobile broadband. With penetration levels at saturation, mobile network operators are attempting to grow revenue through increasing Average Revenue Per User, primarily by introducing segmented offerings and launching aggressively-priced mobile broadband services with bundled data allowances, made possible due to earlier deployments of HSPA networks. The search for growth has also led one operator to pursue merger and acquisition activities in lesser-developed markets within the Balkans region.

This report provides an overview of Greece’s mobile market in 2011, covering regulatory and market developments, significant operators, and including a variety of financial and industry-related statistics.

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; GSM licence auction results; Wind Hellas invests in HSPA+ network upgrade; operator data to September 2011.

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 technologies
    • 2.4.1 Digital
    • 2.4.2 900MHz and 1800MHz licence renewal
    • 2.4.3 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 i-mode
    • 2.7.6 Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC)
  • 2.8 Mobile content and applications
• 3. Related reports

• Table 1 – Mobile subscribers (SIM) and penetration – 1996 - 2012
• Table 2 – Active mobile subscribers (SIM) – 2003 - 2012
• Table 3 – Wind Hellas financial data – 2009 - 2010
• 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 – 2009 - 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 – 1996 – 2012
• Chart 2 – Wind Hellas ARPU – 2009 – 2010
• Chart 3 – Vodafone ARPU – 2008 – 2011
• Chart 4 – Cosmote financial data – 2007 – 2011

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