Central and Eastern European Telecom Operators
Take Bold Approach in Broadband Market and
beyond, Arthur D. Little Finds
l While DSL has been the dominant fixed broadband technology in the EU, the CEE experience has
confirmed that other technologies, such as WiFi, LAN, and FTTx, may better fit local markets
l Spectrum licenses represent major opportunity for new players to enter the market, and for current
players to expand their service offerings
l Pay TV and telecom operators are reacting to increasing competition by expanding their services
and diversifying revenues
March 31, 2010 07:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time
LONDON--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Arthur D. Little’s new report, “Space for Creativity:
Innovative Solutions in Central and Eastern European Telecommunications", has revealed that operators in
CEE have often deployed new innovative technologies earlier and faster than their Western counterparts. This bold
approach has driven growth in the broadband market, contributed to the ascendancy of mobile telecommunications,
and effaced the line between telecom companies and TV operators.
By looking for solutions that best fit local conditions, broadband development in CEE has been different from
Western Europe, with a wide variety of access technologies successfully deployed for service delivery. Mobile
broadband has taken off in countries with a relatively low GDP/capita because of a lack of fixed broadband
infrastructure, while FTTx has been rolled out by incumbents in relatively developed mobile broadband markets.
While cable TV operators currently dominate the content and triple play markets, telecom operators have defended
their customer base with new TV offers on several platforms. With the emergence of IPTV, incumbents have also
gained an opportunity to offer bundled services, which can be leveraged to fight line loss or, at least, partially offset
revenue decrease in the fixed voice segment.
The upcoming availability of new licenses, issued by regulators to further