Dublin, Oct 14, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b465a5/montenegro_telec) has announced the addition of the "Montenegro - Telecoms Market Overview, Statistics & Forecasts Update" report to their offering.

The Montenegro - Telecoms Market Overview, Statistics & Forecasts report includes all research data and analysis on this country. Covering trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, internet, broadband, infrastructure and regulation.

One of the newest Eastern European countries, Montenegro has struck out on its own since gaining independence from Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, a task made easier by the fact that it possessed a separate economy and set of institutions prior to independence. The European Union is the main trading partner of Montenegro, representing approximately 57% of total exports and 100% of imports. Montenegro has profited from EU trade preferences.

Since independence Montenegro has progressed in its quest in joining the EU, signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) which oversees closer integration with the EU and covers commitments to political, economic, trade, or human rights reform in exchange for tariff-free access to some or all EU markets, financial or technical assistance. As part of the EU pre-accession process, Montenegro has received financial aid to build public institutions and improve cross-border co-operation under EU funding mechanism Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Under the IPA, Montenegro is expected to receive euro 33.3 million during 2009, euro 34.0 million during 2010, euro 34.7 million during 2011 and euro 35.4 million during 2012.

Montenegro's telecom industry has been liberalised and legislation introduced that adopts regulatory principles found in the EU's regulatory framework for communications, which promotes competition as the most efficient way to offer communications products and services while ensuring universal access. Despite liberalisation the incumbent Crnogorski Telekom continues to dominate the fixed-line market although the situation is likely to change due to introduction of new legislation giving stronger powers to the regulator to improve competition.

Broadband services represent an increasing proportion of total Internet connections, with subscriber growth in 2009 and the medium term expected to come from users upgrading existing dial-up connections for broadband, which is available via ADSL, cable and wireless.

A nascent broadcasting market is evident, with several recently established cable TV/MMDS operators offering pay TV services in competition with a satellite pay TV operator as well as the telecoms incumbent, which has launched broadband TV (IPTV) services. An analogue to digital TV switchover strategy has been adopted, with analogue switchoff to take place by 2012.

Mobile telephony services are offered by three network operators and penetration levels are among the highest in Eastern Europe although subscriber levels are artificially inflated by the significant number of tourists that visit Montenegro. WCDMA/HSDPA networks have been launched, which has formed the basis for new mobile broadband services.

Key highlights: Regulatory measures are improving market conditions for competitors in the fixed line market; the incumbent has published a new contract for offering interconnection services and carrier selection/preselection services have been introduced.

Strong broadband growth recorded in recent years will continue due to the significant number of remaining dial-up subscribers. E-government and information society strategy and IT infrastructure is the responsibility of the newly established Ministry for Information Society, which recently published an Information Society development strategy for the period 2009-2013.

A healthy pay TV market is evident as indicated by growing subscriber levels. Consolidation is likely given the number of cable TV operators possessing small subscriber levels, which combined make up less than 40% of total subscribers and face stiff competition from a well entrenched satellite pay TV operator and the IPTV offering of the telecoms incumbent.

All three of Montenegro's mobile network operators offer GSM/WCMDA services in Montenegro. Future revenue growth is expected to come from increasing average revenue per user levels by encouraging prepaid users to take up postpaid offers, increasingly segmented offerings and encouraging take up of mobile broadband services based on expanding WCDMA/HSDPA networks.

Montenegro - key telecom parameters - 2008 - 2009 Sector: 2008 - 2009 (e) Broadband Fixed broadband subscribers (thousand): 34 - 60 Fixed broadband penetration rate: 6% - 9% Subscribers to Telecoms Services Fixed-line telephone subscribers (thousand): 178 - 170 Mobile phone subscribers (thousand): 1,109 - 1,300 (Source: BuddeComm based on industry data) This report covers trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, Internet, broadband, digital TV. Subjects include: - Market and industry analyses, trends and developments; - Facts, figures and statistics; - Industry and regulatory issues; - Infrastructure; - Major Players, Revenues, Subscribers, ARPU, MOU; - Mobile Voice and Data Markets; - Broadband (FttH, DSL, cable TV, wireless); - Digital Media; - Broadband forecasts for selective years to 2018.

Key Topics Covered: - Executive summary - Key statistics - Telecommunications market - Regulatory environment - Fixed network operators in Montenegro - Telecommunications infrastructure - Internet market - Fixed broadband market - Digital media - Mobile communications - Related reports - LIST OF TABLES - LIST OF EXHIBITS For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b465a5/montenegro_telec CONTACT: Laura Wood, Senior Manager, Research and Markets Fax: +1 646 607 1907 (US) Fax: +353 1 481 1716 (Rest of World) e-mail: press@researchandmarkets.com ((M2 Communications 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.

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