Synopsis

Poland’s mobile market in recent years has been characterised by the rapid extension of LTE networks and the development of mobile data services based on newly released and re-farmed spectrum. The telecom regulator is preparing to release additional spectrum in several bands for 5G, though delays to the process mean that 700MHz spectrum is unlikely to be available before mid-2022.

Operators have invested in 5G, with T-Mobile Poland having launched a pre-commercial service in Warsaw at the end of 2018, and with full commercial services expected to be available in early 2020.

Mobile penetration in Poland is above the European average, standing at almost 137% by mid-2019. This reflects the continuing popularity among consumers to keep two or more SIM cards, which has distorted the real mobile penetration rate. Nevertheless, the distortion has been addressed on two fronts: by network operators being encouraged to disconnect dormant SIM cards, and by legislation, effective from February 2017, which obliges subscribers of prepaid services to register their details. These forces have resulted in a significant readjustment in the number of subscribers in the market.

The market has effective competition from a number of MNOs, and has room for more than two dozen MVNOs, though many of these are small operators with marginal market share. ARPU has been adversely affected by retail tariff competition and by regulatory mandated reductions in mobile termination rates and roaming tariffs. However, operators anticipate that ARPU will rise in line with consumer adoption of mobile data services, facilitated by improved network infrastructure. LTE networks provide near national population coverage, facilitated by operators having made greater use of concessions in the 800MHz and 2600MHz bands and having re-farmed spectrum used for GSM and 3G services.

This report reviews Poland’s mobile market, providing profiles of the major operators together with updated operating and financial results, and covering recent regulatory measures and spectrum auction results. The report also assesses the reach and capabilities of mobile technologies as deployed by operators, and details developments in mobile services and applications.

Key developments:

• Regulator preps for multi-spectrum auction for 5G services;
• Government proposes reduced licence fees if MNOs improve network coverage;
• Orange Poland switches 5G trials from Huawei to Ericsson;
• T-Mobile Poland launches NB-IoT services;
• Regulator annuls results of the 2007 1800MHz auction;
• SMS use falls in the wake of OTT alternative services;
• Report update includes the regulator’s market data reports, State Statistics data for 2017, telcos’ operating and financial data to Q1 2019, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

CenterNet, Polkomtel (Plus), T-Mobile Poland, P4/Play, Orange Poland (PTK Centertel), Mobyland.