Poland - Mobile Infrastructure, Operators and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

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 refarmed spectrum. In addition, the telecom regulator and operators alike are preparing for 5G, with the regulator embarking on a long-term strategy and with operators such as Orange Poland trialling services based on 5G technologies. Commercial services are expected to be launched in 2020 or 2021.

Mobile penetration in Poland is above the European average, standing at almost 138% by mid-2018. 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, which continued into 2018.

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-scale. 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 refarmed 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:

NetWorkS! Joint venture increases LTE spectrum allocation;
Polkomtel’s LTE-A service data rate increased to 300Mb/s;
New legislation waives spectrum fees for technology trials;
Orange Poland elects not to renew 450MHz licence, launches commercial Wi-Fi Calling service, begins 5G trials;
T-Mobile Poland launches NB-IoT services;
Regulator removes operator obligations on the SMS market;
Polkomtel trials LTE-B and VoWi-Fi technologies;
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 Q2 2018, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

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

Table of Contents

1. Synopsis
2. Market analysis
3. Mobile statistics
- 3.1 General statistics
- 3.2 Prepaid cards
4. Mobile infrastructure
5. Digital networks
- 5.1 5G
- 5.2 4G (LTE)
- 5.3 3G
6. Other infrastructure developments
- 6.1 NB-IoT
  - 6.1.1 M2M networks
7. Mobile voice
8. Mobile data
- 8.1 SMS/MMS
9. Mobile broadband
- 9.1 Regulatory issues
  - 9.1.1 GSM licences
  - 9.1.2 Third Generation licences awarded
  - 9.1.3 Fourth GSM licence/fourth 3G licence auction
  - 9.1.4 450MHz
  - 9.1.5 800MHz and 2600MHz
  - 9.1.6 1800MHz
  - 9.1.7 3600MHz
  - 9.1.8 Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
  - 9.1.9 Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs)
  - 9.1.10 Roaming
  - 9.1.11 Network sharing
10. Major mobile operators
- 10.1 Orange Poland (PTK Centertel)
- 10.2 Polkomtel/Plus GSM
- 10.3 T-Mobile Poland
  - 10.3.1 CenterNet
- 10.4 Mobyland
- 10.5 Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
  - 10.5.1 P4/Play
  - 10.5.2 Mobile Vikings
11. Mobile content and applications
- 11.1 M-payment
12. Related reports

Table 1 – Average blended mobile ARPU – 2011 - 2018
Table 2 – Mobile market revenue – 2009 - 2018
Table 3 – Mobile base stations in service – 2015 - 2017
Table 4 – Historic - Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – historic – 1995 - 2009
Table 5 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 2010 - 2018
Table 6 – Mobile market share of revenue by operator – 2009 - 2017
Table 7 – Mobile market share of subscribers by operator – 2009 – 2017
Table 8 – Mobile market traffic and annual change – 2006 - 2017
Table 9 – Ratio of prepaid to postpaid subscribers – 2003 - 2017
Table 10 – Orange Poland prepaid subscribers – 2003 - 2018
Table 11 – T-Mobile Poland prepaid subscribers – 2005 - 2018
Table 12 – M2M SIM cards in use – 2013 - 2017
Table 13 – M2M revenue – 2013 - 2016
Table 14 – Orange M2M cards in use – 2016 - 2018
Table 15 – Average mobile data traffic per subscriber – 2011 - 2017
Table 16 – Mobile data traffic – 2008 - 2017
Table 17 – SMS messages sent and annual growth – 2006 - 2018
Table 18 – MMS messages sent and annual growth– 2006 - 2018
Table 19 – Mobile broadband market share of subscribers by operator – 2008 - 2017
Table 20 – Dedicated mobile broadband subscribers and penetration rate – 2004 - 2018
Table 21 – Active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2009- 2018
Table 22 – Orange dedicated mobile broadband subscribers – 2007 - 2018
Table 23 – Share of mobile broadband access by device – 2016
Table 24 – Mobile number portings – 2009 – 2015
Table 25 – European roaming charges – 2007 – 2016
Table 26 – European data roaming charges – 2014 - 2017
Table 27 – Roaming traffic (voice, SMS, data) – 2007 - 2017
Table 28 – Orange Poland mobile revenue – 2010 - 2018
Table 29 – Orange Poland mobile subscribers – 2007 - 2018
Table 30 – Orange total monthly voice ARPU – 2010 - 2017
Table 31 – Orange total monthly voice ARPO – 2016 - 2018
Table 32 – Orange data ARPU share – 2008 - 2015
Table 33 – Polkomtel financial data (historic) – 2009 - 2013
Table 34 – Polkomtel subscribers – 2009 – 2010; 2012 - 2018
Table 35 – T-Mobile subscribers – 2007 - 2018
Table 36 – T-Mobile mobile financial data – 2005 - 2018
Table 37 – T-Mobile ARPU and churn – 2005 - 2018
Table 38 – Play mobile subscribers – 2007 – 2018
Table 39 – Play financial data – 2013 – 2018
Table 40 – Netia mobile RGUs – 2010 - 2018
Table 41 – Play mobile ARPU – 2016 – 2018

Chart 1 – Mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 2000 – 2018
Chart 2 – Mobile market share of revenue by operator – 2009 – 2017
Chart 3 – Mobile market share of subscribers by operator – 2009 – 2017
Chart 4 – Mobile broadband market share of subscribers by operator – 2008 – 2017
Chart 5 – Orange Poland mobile subscribers – 2007 – 2018
Chart 6 – Orange total monthly ARPU/ARPO – 2010 – 2018
Chart 7 – Polkomtel subscribers – 2009 – 2010; 2012 – 2018
Chart 8 – T-Mobile subscribers – 2007 – 2018
Chart 9 – T-Mobile financial data – 2005 – 2018