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Research and Markets: Western Europes Average Mobile Penetration
Reached 108% By Mid-2007 While Sustaining Subscriber Growth Of 8.5%
(M2 PressWIRE Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)
RDATE:06032008
Dublin - Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84768) has announced the
addition of 2007 Western European Mobile Communications & Mobile Data
(tables only) to their offering
This report provides 347 statistical tables covering the mobile
communications and the rapidly evolving mobile data markets in the
region. Mobile activities have undergone enormous changes in response
to regulatory pressure on roaming and interconnection tariffs,
competition from numerous new start-up MVNOs, and pressure on voice
tariffs and bundled SMS offers which have lowered voice and data ARPU.
Revenue growth in coming years will primary depend on the continued
increase in subscriber numbers and the use of multiple SIMs, and by the
further adoption of rich-media services including music downloads and
mobile TV. The 3G subscriber base has shown extraordinary growth and,
in coming years, it is expected that consumer reticence to use services
will be overcome as operators introduce flat-rate charging models.
Mobile communications Western Europe's mobile market has shown
consistent growth for several years. Average mobile penetration reached
108% by mid-2007 while sustaining subscriber growth of 8.5%. However, a
slowdown in revenue growth was largely due to intensifying competition
and regulatory action which led to falling prices for voice minutes,
roaming and interconnection charges. Growth in coming years will
primarily depend on subscribers adopting mobile data services.
Europe has been an important laboratory for 3G networks and services
and for emerging technologies such as EDGE and HSCSD. Financial
considerations from 2001 to 2004 hampered developments in 3G roll-outs,
while 2.5G offerings such as GPRS failed to take off. An important
catalyst for mobile growth since 2005 has been the rapid development of
product features and new product designs. About 60% of mobile phones
sold in mid-2007 had additional functionality such as cameras, while
95% of 3G phones had MP3 or similar technology on board. Built-in GPS
has also become a standard feature in many phones.
During 2007, the major pan-European operators - Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile,
Orange - continued with business models that focussed on broadening
their footprint across both Eastern and Western European countries, as
well as branching out into other growth areas such as broadband.
Vodafone in particular has endeavoured to align itself as a quad-play
operator by buying the networks of broadband providers in markets such
as Italy and Spain where it already has a significant mobile presence.
T-Mobile has also made an impact, particularly through acquisitions and
licensing agreements with MVNOs. Other than these companies, the mobile
subsidiaries of incumbent telcos continue to be the most important
mobile operators in their respective countries across Europe.
GSM networks continue to dominate the market, with more than 80 network
operators in the EU, including three to four operational in most
European countries. There were also some 214 MVNOs operating in Europe
in 2006, with more beginning operations each month.
Mobile penetration in Europe is so ingrained among consumers that
almost 20% of users have opted to have a mobile phone only, ditching
their fixed line. This figure would certainly increase substantially if
mobile calls were charged at landline rates.
Mobile data SMS still accounts for the bulk of data revenue, while less
than 20% of subscribers use MMS/picture messaging and fewer still make
use of mobile Internet and mobile TV despite numerous launches and
promotions.
During 2007, most European mobile operators deployed or expanded EDGE
and HSDPA networks in a bid to encourage consumer use of mobile
broadband services and increase data ARPU. The number of content
providers and the range of services on offer has expanded, making
consumer involvement in mobile data a more likely proposition during
the next few years. The EU suggested imposing regulatory limits on data
roaming tariffs during 2008, which will dent operator revenue. This may
not be all bad. Gaming, video and music portals are being progressively
transferred to the mobile arena, and subscribers have become more aware
of the capabilities of 3G services, but are also wary of the present
high usage costs. By mid-2007, the 3G subscriber base on which mobile
data growth depends approached 50 million, though providers have
struggled to encourage subscribers to use services which are widely
perceived as expensive and of uncertain value.
A range of potential mobile data services could be made available,
including information on public transport systems, ringtones, games,
directory enquiries, weather forecasts, voting services, share prices,
horoscopes and logotypes. Typically, these are only provided to the
operator's own customers.
A key constraint limiting customer demand for mobile content and
services has been the absence of content with sufficient drawing power
to attract users onto a new platform. Ongoing work to develop gaming
and handset customisation, as well as new services such as mobile video
and TV services, has created a mass of content for operators such as
Vodafone, Telefonica Moviles and O2. The Vodafone live! portal has
become relatively popular, partly through having the scale and reach to
leverage a compelling quantity of content into the service. Hutchison's
3 has worked hard to develop similar content with media partners on a
country-by-country basis.
Content Outline:
- 1. Western EUROPEAN OVERVIEW
- 2. Austria
- 3. Belgium
- 4. Denmark
- 5. Finland
- 6. France
- 7. Germany
- 8. Iceland
- 9. Ireland
- 10. Italy
- 11. Luxembourg
- 12. Malta
- 13. Netherlands
- 14. Norway
- 15. Portugal
- 16. Spain
- 17. Sweden
- 18. Switzerland
- 19. United Kingdom
List of Tables
For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84768
CONTACT: Laura Wood, Senior Manager, Research and Markets
Fax: +353 1 4100 980
e-mail: press@researchandmarkets.com
((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information
provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties.
Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at
http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to
info@m2.com)).
Copyright ? 2008 M2 Communications Ltd.
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