Europe (Western) - Telecoms, Mobile & Broadband Overview and Analysis 2005

Synopsis

The European telecom market in 2005 has continued its recovery from the decline experienced in 2001 and 2002. Many of the major players which faced collapse have sold off peripheral businesses and concentrated on their core operations. The European Union’s New Regulatory Framework (NRF), designed to standardise and liberalise the industry within the EU, has been supplemented by the eEurope 2005 and i2010 initiatives which encourage development in the broadband and telecom markets. Broadband adoption has grown sharply since 2003, with ADSL providing the bulk of access lines as incumbents have pushed the service in an effort to compensate for falling fixed voiced revenue. Digitised cable broadband networks pose an increasing challenge to incumbents by offering voice to their triple or double play packages. The data and mobile sectors have been the main drivers of the market. The majority of the EU15 countries have 100% mobile penetration, while 3G take-up has escalated. Converging media, based on triple play and fast ADSL or fibre, has also matured in many markets. This report presents data and analysis on the Western European telecom market in 2005, noting the principal developments and scenarios for further growth and movement in 2006 and beyond.