WORLDWIDE MARKET RESEARCH REPORT - CISE

EC/IST FP6 Project No 026920
Work Package: 6
Type of document: Report
Date: 20.12.2007
File name: OP_WP6_D37_V1.0.doc Version: 1.0
Title: Worldwide Market Research Report 140 / 356
5.3.5.1 Overview of the offered services
5.3.5.1.1 Internet service providers and Media broadcasters operators
[E18] Although broadband has been available for sometime in Eastern Europe, the advent of
full scale fixed-line competition has boosted subscriber levels as incumbents in liberalised
markets execute survival strategies centered on offering broadband and convergence
services. The results are now being witnessed as convergence services are rolled-out. The
need for more broadband speed has driven deployment of new high-speed broadband
networks centered on ADSL2+ and FTTH while wireless has been utilised to rapidly deploy
alternative networks and extend connectivity into remote areas. The number of ADSL2+
deployments is expected to increase during 2007 as triple play services grow in popularity.
Public and private sector initiatives, an accommodating regulatory environment coupled with
broadband proliferation has led to the emergence of the Internet economy, a nascent trend
that will become increasingly visible as the prerequisite factors fall into place.
The developing broadband market is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with ADSL2+
services launched in Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia. IPTV services have been
launched in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, giving telecoms operators their much
anticipated triple play services. Polish incumbent’s triple play offering is based on the
Livebox device from France Telecom. The satellite-based digital pay TV market is becoming
increasingly crowded as a Romanian digital pay TV operator has commenced offering
services in Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic, recording strong growth in subscriber
levels. A new satellite platform was launched in Poland, shaking up the previous duopoly,
with satellite-based HDTV services. WiMAX services are growing in visibility as services are
rolled out. However the delay in launching services in some countries will be to the detriment
of wireless operators as incumbents continue their charge into the broadband market. Baltic
Much anticipated broadband TV (IPTV) offerings are now available from the incumbent
operators in each country, and brings the incumbent operators into direct competition with
the cable-based operators in the consumer telecoms market. The resulting competition
between the two parties is expected to heat up in 2007 and beyond, which will benefit
consumers with increased variety and lower prices. Increasingly affordable ADSL offerings