Synopsis
Sweden’s high mobile penetration rate is due to the burgeoning 3G sector, stimulated in turn by excellent infrastructure. The market has been enervated by greater consumer take-up for mobile data services as competition has forced down consumer prices. The analogue network was shut down in mid-2007, while the 450MHz and 900MHz frequencies have been switched to digital use to provide a national mobile broadband service. Spectrum in the 800MHz and 1800MHz bands auctioned in 2011 will provide additional capabilities to MNOs extending the LTE footprints. This report provides statistics and analysis on the Swedish mobile market, including the key regulatory issues, the growth of mobile data services and forecasts for the 3G subscriber base and mobile ARPU to 2015.
Key developments:
Regulator finds that 9% of mobile data users send 87% of traffic; government raises SEK2.05 billion from 800MHz spectrum; shared network of Telenor and H3 upgraded with HSPA+ to 42Mb/s; TeliaSonera planning VoLTE services in 2013; regulator consults on use of 2.3GHz spectrum; Net 1 upgrades network with CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev B technology in the 450MHz band; H3 contracts to provide world first LTE TDD/FDD dual-mode network; MNOs secure LTE smartphones; TeliaSonera plans LTE network expansion to cover 663 localities by the end of 2012; MNOs launch mobile wallet service JV; regulator assigns additional 1800MHz spectrum with generous terms; regulator’s market data for H1 2011, operator data to 2011; market developments to early 2012.
Companies covered in this report include:
TeliaSonera, Tele2, H3 Sweden, Telenor Sweden, Net 1.