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

Market consolidation sees TeliaSonera exit the broadband sector

In common with other Scandinavian countries, Norway has a sophisticated telecom market with high broadband and mobile penetration rates and a well developed digital TV sector. Although not a member of the European Union, its telecoms sector is synchronised with relevant EC legislation. Telenor and Tele2 are the dominant operators in all sectors, though there is increasing competition from new entrants. The report introduces the key elements of Norway’s telecom market, providing statistics and an overview of the regulatory environment, the fixed network operators and their services, and telecom infrastructure.

In the broadband sector a number of smaller operators and resellers compete against the main players Telenor and NextGenTel (sold to Telio in 2013). Mobile broadband has become a key development in recent years, with LTE networks among the most advanced in the world. The report profiles Norway’s fixed and wireless broadband markets, together with developments in related technologies such as Broadband Powerline, wireless broadband, and internet via satellite. It also provides broadband forecasting scenarios to 2012 and 2020, and assesses the strategies of the main players.

Norway’s small but sophisticated broadcasting market became all-digital by the end of 2009. The main operators have focussed on upgrading fixed-line networks to ADSL2+ and VDSL2 in recent years, providing a solid infrastructure for delivering bundled services.

The mobile market is dominated by the triopoly of Telenor Mobile, TeliaSonera’s NetCom and the new player Mobile Norway. Services from these operators are supplemented by those from a growing number of MVNOs. A new entrant, backed by Ice.net, secured spectrum at the December 2013 auction. The market is well advanced in LTE/4G developments, with both Telenor and NetCom spearheading networks in the region. Mobile Norway, a joint venture now controlled by Tele2, also adds to the competitive mix. Nordisk Mobiltelefon, recovered from its bankruptcy in early 2009, operates a 3G network in the 450MHz band. The report profiles the mobile voice and data market, providing statistics on the main operators, a review of the key regulatory issues, and a snapshot of the consumer market for services such as SMS, mobile TV and mobile broadband.

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