2011 Finland - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts

Finland’s MNOs deliver LTE to half of the population

BuddeComm’s half-yearly report, Finland - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends and developments in the Finnish telecoms and digital media markets. It includes the regulator’s market data to June 2011, telcos’ financial and operating data to end-2011, and  market developments into 2012.

Telecom revenue overview

Turnover in Finland’s telco sector fell steadily from 2006 to 2009, affected by a poor economic climate. Since 2009 the sector has stabilised, showing slight growth tempered by the effects of competition and regulatory measures. More than half of overall telecom revenue is derived from the mobile sector. Turnover from fixed-line telephony has fallen steadily in line with lower access and call charges. Mobile sector revenue is expected to remain flat through to 2013 before the nascent mobile data services sector begins to provide measureable revenue to compensate for declining voice services revenue.

Broadband market

Finland’s three main telcos TeliaSonera, Elisa and DNA provide near national broadband coverage. In addition, a number of cablecos also offer services, while national wireless networks are provided via mobile networks as well as through Digita Oy’s @ 450 network. The government is striving for leadership in the FttH sector. The few commercial offerings from telcos has resulted in FttH having made only a moderate impact thus far, though the government’s willingness to subsidise rural projects and initiatives has provided fibre to about 5% of the population. The updated National Broadband Plan will deliver 100Mb/s services nationally by 2015.

Mobile market

The mobile sector has shown steady growth in recent years, with penetration above the EU average. Sector revenue has been affected by regulator measures  and competition on pricing. Finland has been at the forefront of mobile technology developments, as well as in utilising spectrum assets for mobile services, including the use of both the 1.8GHz and 2.6GHz bands for LTE.

Key telecom parameters – 2010; 2013

(Source: BuddeComm)

Market Highlights

• The largest cableco DNA has delivered wide-reaching 200Mb/s services and has trialled a 1.5Gb/s service, the world’s fastest thus far.
• Long term spectrum licences in the 2.5-2.69GHz band has encouraged operators to invest in network upgrades. DNA offers a combination of HSPA+ and LTE to some 130 municipalities, representing up to half of the population.
• The frequency coordination agreement reached between Finland and Russia in 2011 enables Finland to use the 800MHz band for LTE, fast-tracking mobile broadband to rural areas.
• FttH has been stimulated by government intervention providing public funding for rural projects, which now benefit about 5% of the population.
• Initially slow to develop large-scale fibre projects, the major telcos have recently stepped up their investment though concentrating on commercially viable areas, with LTE expected to fill gaps in rural areas.

This report is essential reading for those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecom sector in Finland. It provides further information on:

• Market liberalisation and regulatory issues;
• The impact of the global economic crisis;
• Telecoms operators – privatisation, acquisitions, new licences;
• Mobile data market developments in coming years in light of spectrum auctions and new license awards;
• 3G developments, regulatory issues and technologies including HSPA and LTE;
• Broadband migration to an FttH architecture;
• Historical and current subscriber statistics and forecasts;
• ARPU statistics and forecasts.

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year.