2016 Poland - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

Polish government completes fibre backhaul investment program

Poland’s mature and liberalised telecom market has seen considerable development in the broadband and mobile sectors, while network upgrades are facilitating markets as diverse as videostreaming and e-commerce. The privatised incumbent, recently rebranded as Orange Poland, has benefited from its parent company’s technical experience and know-how in the region. Regulatory measures have promoted competition, allowing a number of operators to enter the market. Recently this extended to opening Orange Poland’s fibre network to access and pricing regulation.

The fixed broadband market is one of the largest in Europe, with effective cross-platform competition. A comprehensive DSL infrastructure is complemented by extensive cable networks and a growing fibre presence. Commercial considerations meant that fibre was for some years restricted to a number of urban areas, though more recently the sector has received considerable financial support from the government and the European Union. This support is aimed at building fibre-based networks across the country (particularly in eastern areas) and promoting fibre connectivity to end-users.

Orange Poland dominates the fixed broadband market although there is in place a regulatory regime designed to improving wholesale market access.

The mobile market has been characterised by rapid development of LTE networks and services. By early 2016 mobile penetration was about 155%, among the highest rates in the region and reflecting the popularity among consumers for keeping two or more SIM cards. With more than 59 million subscribers, the market has room for 26 licensed operators, including 19 MVNOs. The relatively high number of network operators suggests that there will some market consolidation in coming years, as has been seen in other European markets. ARPU has stabilised after falling in recent years in the wake of retail tariff competition, and regulatory mandated reductions in mobile termination rates and in roaming tariffs. LTE networks provide extensive population coverage, which will increase further into 2016 as operators make use of concessions in the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands which were released to them in January 2016.

This report covers the key aspects of Poland’s evolving telecom market, presenting comprehensive data on market players, fixed-line networks and technologies, the wholesale market, as well as an overview of key regulatory developments. The report also reviews the mobile market, providing profiles of the major operators together with updated operating and financial results, and covering recent regulatory measures and spectrum auction results. It also assesses the reach and capabilities of mobile technologies, and details developments in mobile services and applications. In addition the report profiles the fixed broadband market, including a review of the key market players, statistics and technology platforms, and an assessment of recent market developments. It also includes forecasts to 2021.

Key developments:

• Cyfrowy Polsat acquires a majority stake in Polkomtel;
• Orange Poland sells EmiTel for PLN1.7 billion;
• Netia buys Aster’s former infrastructure from UPC Poland;
• Government creates Ministry of Administration and Digitalisation to oversee telecom sector development;
• Deutsche Telekom acquires GTS Central Europe;
• Orange Poland revenue decline prompts outsourcing and disposal strategy;
• Regulator enforces EC’s access and price ruling on Orange Poland’s fibre network;
• Regulator releases to licensees spectrum in the 800MHz and the 2.6GHz bands won at auction in October 2015;
• Polkomtel trials LTE-B and VoWi-Fi technologies;
• PTK Centertel adopts Orange brand following merger;
• SMS use falls in the wake of OTT alternative services;
• T-Mobile Poland and Orange Poland joint venture approved by the Office of Competition;
• Cyfrowy Polsat launches LTE service;
• regulator eases cuts in MTR in exchange for network investment;
• Orange tests Fibre-to-the-Distribution-point (FttDp) technology;
• UPC Poland launches 250Mb/s cable services;
• National broadband infrastructure investment program completed;
• Report update includes the regulator’s market data report and 2015 infrastructure report; telcos’ operating and financial data for Q4 2015, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Orange Poland (Telekomunikacja Polska), Netia, Telefonia Dialog, GTS Energis, Exatel, Telekomunikacja Kolejowa, UPC Poland, Aster, Multimedia Polska, Vectra, Polkomtel, CenterNet, T-Mobile Poland, P4/Play, PTK Centertel, Mobyland, UPC Polska, Vectra, Cyfra+, Cyfrowy Polsat, N/TNK, TVP.