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

Orange Poland expands 200Mb/s fibre network

BuddeComm’s annual publication, Poland - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends and developments in the telecommunications and digital media sectors of one of Eastern Europe’s largest markets. The report includes the regulator’s 2011 market data report and updates to mid-2012, telcos’ operating and financial data to Q1 2013, market developments to mid-2013.

Economic background

Having joined the EU in 2004, Poland subsequently enjoyed several years of rapid economic growth. Like many of its neighbours, the country was deeply affected by the global financial turmoil through declining demand for its exports, a slowdown of credit activity, and lower foreign direct investment inflows. Nevertheless, GDP grew by about 4.5% in 2011, year-on-year, and an estimated 2.4% in 2012. This represents a better economic performance than has been seen in many other regional economies, a factor which has contributed to the return since 2011 of many skilled workers who had moved to countries such as the UK for employment.

Telecom market overview

The economic slowdown and subsequent recovery has been reflected in the overall telecoms market, which has showed a steady though small increase year-on-year since 2009. Overall investment undertaken by telcos also recovered quickly. Revenue was expected to continue to increase in 2013, largely on the back of the mobile and broadband sectors which will compensate for falling fixed-line voice telephony revenue. Important continuing trends include the weakening fixed-line voice market, fixed-to-mobile substitution and the consequent growth in mobile data use, the popularity of bundled services, the further growth in the number of broadband subscribers, and greater competition in the mobile market resulting from the emergence of more MVNOs. The lack of progress by altnets seen during the first years of market liberalisation contributed to market consolidation among the major players. Though this has stymied competition, ongoing action by the regulator has improved market conditions, particularly in regards to network access.

Key telecom parameters – 2010; 2013

(Source: BuddeComm)

Market Highlights

• The price of mobile internet services has fallen in recent years in the face of competition among players. The average monthly cost of mobile internet access has fallen to about PLN60, with data packages ranging from 200MB to 50GB offered.
• Orange Poland launched a 50Mb/s FttH-based broadband trial in Warsaw in early 2008, subsequently upgraded to a 200Mb/s service. Reaching some 200,000 households, the network is gradually being extended to other cities across the country.
• An independent IPTV platform, Next Plus, was launched at the end of 2012 as a joint venture between Astro and Next Plus. It is targeted at users of smartphones, tablets and connected TVs.
• Investment in mobile networks has dramatically improved capacity. Mobile data traffic is expected to reach 145 billion MBs in 2013, compared to about 18 billion MBs in 2009.

This report is essential reading for those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecom sector in Poland. It provides further information on:

• Market liberalisation and regulatory issues;
• The impact of the global economic crisis;
• Telecoms operators – privatisation, acquisitions, new licences;
• Mobile data market developments in coming years in light of spectrum auctions and new license awards;
• 3G developments, regulatory issues and technologies including HSPA and LTE;
• Broadband migration to an FttH architecture;
• Historical and current subscriber statistics and forecasts;
• ARPU statistics and forecasts.

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