2017 Sweden - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Sweden’s broadband strategy to 2025 to see 98% gigabit access

Sweden’s telecom market includes mature mobile and broadband sectors which have consistently been among the first in Europe to deploy advanced technologies. The country retains one of the best developed LTE infrastructures in the region, and is poised to be among the first in the world to deliver services based on the 5G standard. It also has one of the highest fibre broadband penetration rates in Europe. Indeed, 5G and FttP are being promoted by the government as part of an ambitious but realistic strategy to deliver a near-universal 1Gb/s service by 2025. The methodology to achieve this rests on proven regulatory measures supported by public funds, as well as on the auction of additional spectrum expected during 2018.

A significant proportion of mobile subscribers make use of mobile broadband as a viable alternative to fixed-line broadband services. Additional spectrum, particularly in the 450MHz and 700MHz bands, is to be made available during 2018.

In the broadband sector DSL remains the dominant platform though the number of subscribers is falling as customers migrate to fibre networks. Some resilience in the DSL sector is shown by operators investing in VDSL upgrades, though this is a short-term measure on the path to FttP. There is also competition from HFC infrastructure, with the main cableco Com Hem offering data rates at up to 1Gb/s on its fibre network. It is also investing in services based on the DOCSIS3.1 standard.

The fibre sector is among the most vibrant in the world, with the country now having one of the highest fibre-broadband densities in Europe. Further development of the fibre sector is key to the government’s revised broadband strategy for 2025.

This report assesses key aspects of the Swedish telecom market, providing data on fixed network services and profiling the main players. It also reviews regulatory issues, including interconnection, local loop unbundling, number portability, carrier preselection and NGN open access. The report also examines the fixed and wireless broadband markets, including analyses of market dynamics and the main operators, as well as subscriber forecasts. In addition the report covers the mobile voice and data markets, noting progress in the deployment of emerging technologies as well as operator strategies.

Key developments:

• Telia continues sale of Eurasian assets;
• Telecom market revenue stable in 2016, year-on-year;
• Hi3G contracts Ericsson to upgrade network and prepare for 5G;
• Regulator sets February 2018 date for a 450MHz spectrum auction, identifies 3.5GH band as  suitable for 5G services;
• Telia expected to commercialise 5G services in 2018, trials LTE providing up to 757Mb/s;
• AINMT rebrands as Ice Group;
• Government promotes new broadband strategy to 2025;
• Telia completes G.fast field trials to deliver 1Gb/s services;
• Com Hem launches a 500Mb/s cable service and a 1Gb/s fibre service;
• Report update includes the regulator’s data to December 2016, telcos’ operating and financial data to Q2 2017, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Telia Company, Tele2, Hi3G Sweden, Telenor Sweden, Net 1, Com Hem, PiteEnergi, BAS.