2013 Greece - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts

Continuing economic crisis providing poor prospects for telecom sector revenue growth in 2014

Despite market liberalisation, some areas of Greece’s telecoms market remain relatively underdeveloped. The fixed-line incumbent OTE continues to dominate all sectors though the telecom regulator has shown increasing success in promoting competition, with local loop unbundling deployed to deliver competing fixed-line services. Promoting competition in the telecom sector was one of the EC’s conditions for Greece’s financial bailout over the last few years. The report introduces the key aspects of the Greek fixed-line telecoms market, outlining the regulatory environment, assessing the major players and providing relevant operational data and financial statistics for the operators and the market.

Broadband penetration in Greece is developing rapidly following the incumbent’s promotion of services and improving competition based on regulatory mandated network access. Increasing broadband uptake and deployment of faster ADSL2+ networks has in turn supported the launch of IP services such as broadband TV. Digital TV services are available via IPTV, satellite and Digital Terrestrial. An increase in internet usage by the broader population is fostering an internet society, with notable developments in the public administration (e-government) sector. Covering these topics, the report offers an insight into Greece’s broadband and digital media markets, presenting overviews of key technologies and market developments, a range of data, and broadband forecasts to 2020.

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 OTE’s 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. The struggling Wind Hellas in mid-2013 arranged a network sharing deal with Vodafone by which both operators hoped to cut costs, though Vodafone will not share its LTE infrastructure. The 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.

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