2007 Eastern Europe - Mobile Communications & Mobile Data (tables only)

Probably the most dynamic telecoms sector across the whole Eastern European region, the mobile industry continues to grow despite maturing markets in some countries. In saturated markets the good times of high growth will become to harder to imitate during 2008, with revenue growth to be centred on encouraging migration to postpaid plans and 3G/HSDPA services to offer desirable mobile data and content. Operators have their work cut out for them in the mobile data and contents market as SMS and MMS continues to account for the majority of non-voice revenue, although the faster 3G/HSDPA network speeds available coupled with the falling cost of smart phones should be encouraging for operators as it allows delivery of more desirable high-bandwidth content.

Eastern Europe’s mobile market has witnessed considerable growth since the late 1990s, with half of region’s markets reporting penetration rates above 100% in 2007. There are vast variations in penetration rates throughout the region, with penetrations highest in the CEE region and lowest in the Balkan region. The success of mobile telephony in Eastern Europe can largely be attributed to the inadequacy of the basic telephone infrastructure and the long waiting periods for fixed line installation, with mobile penetration higher than teledensity in all countries.

Eastern Europe - Top 10 mobile markets by subscribers and penetration – March 2007

(Source: BuddeComm based on Global Mobile)

GSM networks dominate the market, with three to four operational in most countries and most countries now boast at least one 3G/HSDPA network. CDMA networks operate in a number of countries.

Markets within the region are dominated by Western European operators, with T-Mobile, Vodafone, Telekom Austria, Tele2 and TeliaSonera operating in a number of countries. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) have launched operations in a number of the EU countries although their impact on the overall market has so far been negligible.

This report provides 180 statistical tables relating to the mobile communications and mobile data markets of 22 Eastern European countries, and is extracted from the full annual market reports. For a full description, commentary, analysis and forecasting, see the original reports.

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year.