Last updated: 11 Jan 2012 Update History
Report Status: Archived
Report Pages: 57
Analyst: Henry Lancaster
Publication Overview
This report provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Croatia’s telecommunications market. The report analyses the mobile, broadband, digital TV and converging media sectors. Subjects include:
Key developments:
VIPNet extend 42Mb/s HSPA+ services to four cities; LTE trials in the 800MHz band underway – commercial launch in 2012; parliament abolishes 6% tax on mobile services revenue; T-HT authorized to manage e-money services; MAXtv extends to satellite platform; Novi-Net granted national WiMAX licence; IPTV among the more successful in Central and Eastern Europe; B.Net was bought by Telekom Austria; DVB-T2 to be employed in two MUXES in 2012; T-HT negotiates for amended wholesale fibre pricing; H1 Telekom launches IPTV service; GDP shows moderate rise in 2011; state transfers remaining shares in T-HT to Pensioners’ Fund; regulator’s market data to Q3 2011; operator data to September 2011.
Companies covered in this report include:
VIPNet, Tele2 Croatia, T-HT, B.net, Digi TV, SBB, H1 Telekom, Optima Telekom, Metronet.
Researcher:- Henry Lancaster
Current publication date:- January 2012 (11th Edition)
Executive Summary
BuddeComm’s annual publication, Croatia - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends and developments in the telecommunications and digital media markets in one of Europe’s smaller and more dynamic markets.
Croatia’s accession to the European Union in mid-2004 was followed by a period of strong economic growth and integration, with the privatisation of most of the economy and stronger ties formed with its main EU trading partners. The global financial crisis from late 2008 deeply affected Croatia, mainly due to a drop in export demand. This was coupled with a large current account deficit, a high level of external debt, as well as significant exposures to interest and exchange rate risks. Real GDP contracted by about 5.8% in 2009 and a further 1.9% in 2010, while GDP growth in 2011 is expected to reach only about 0.8%. Although public debt was estimated to have reached 51% of GDP in 2011 the government has developed few significant growth enhancing reforms, which has hindered the country’s economic recovery and investment in infrastructure. High inflation is compounded by unemployment approaching 17%.
Membership to the EU was the catalyst for the necessary reform of Croatia’s telecom market. As part of EU entry requirements, the market was liberalised and the incumbent, T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT), privatised. This process has resulted in a range of alternative operators entering the market, while the regulator has taken steps to ensure fair competition through implementing a number of measures based on European Commission guidelines.
Broadband penetration is on a par with the EU average. Effective cross-platform competition exists in the broadband market, with dominant DSL complemented by cable, FttX and WiMAX as well as emerging mobile broadband options. ISPs have focused on increasing broadband uptake, generating additional revenue through offering bundled services.
Croatia possesses a well developed mobile market, with penetration rates among the highest in the region. Three mobile network operators offer services, while there is as yet only a minor MVNO presence. Given the high voice penetration, operators have focused on improving ARPU by encouraging prepaid subscribers to migrate to postpaid plans as well as by upgrading networks to encourage consumer use of high-end mobile data offerings.
In the digital media sector, the satellite and cable TV markets remain underdeveloped by European standards, with cable TV household penetration at 10% and IPTV penetration at 23%. DTTV is available nationally, with the country’s ASO process reached two months ahead of schedule. About 60% of TV viewers access DTTV. Digital TV programming is also available via cable TV and satellite TV.
Key telecom parameters – 2010 – 2012
Sector |
2010 |
2012 (e) |
Subscribers to telecoms services: |
||
Fixed broadband subscribers (thousand) |
800 |
940 |
Fixed-line telephony (million) |
1.86 |
1.50 |
Mobile broadband subscribers (thousand) |
328 |
362 |
Mobile phone subscribers (million) |
6.36 |
6.05 |
Penetration rate by service: |
||
Fixed broadband |
18% |
23% |
Fixed-line |
143% |
152% |
Mobile broadband |
7% |
10% |
Mobile phone |
143% |
132% |
(Source: BuddeComm)
Market Highlights
This report is essential reading for those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecom sector in Croatia. It provides further information on:
Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year.
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