DUBLIN, Ireland –Oct. 28, 2005–Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c26710 ) has announced the addition of 2006 Europe - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband in Baltic Countries to their offering

This report covers the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, all with small telecom markets by European standards, yet progressive. Trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, Internet, broadband, digital TV and converging media including VoIP, VoD and IPTV developments. Subjects include:

– Market and industry analyses

– Trends and developments

– Facts, figures and statistics

– Industry and regulatory issues

– Research, Marketing, Benchmarking

– Major Players, Revenues, Subscribers, Prepaid

– VoIP, IPTV, VoD, digital TV and DTTV

Topics Covered
1. ESTONIA
2. LATVIA
3. LITHUANIA
(the following are samples of some of the areas discussed under each
country: key statistics, telecommunications market, overview of the
market, regulatory environment, background, regulatory authority,
telecoms sector liberalization, privatisation, Interconnect, access,
carrier selection and carrier preselection, number portability)
4. GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
List of Tables
List of Exhibits

Summary

The three Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have all joined the European Union (EU), the main impetus for liberalisation in the telecommunications market. The market, dominated by Scandinavian operators, is experiencing increasing competition in the fixed market from alternative operators and cable operators, and in the mobile market, due to the growing presence of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). Mobile penetration is high for the region as is the use of mobile data services.

Digital TV developments are underway in all three countries, with programs available via Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) and digital cable. Latvia is the most ambitious, with hopes of completing the switch to full digital transmission by 2006 but this now seems unlikely.

All three markets have been liberalised although the incumbent still dominates. Fixed-line penetration is falling rapidly with alternative operators targeting profitable market segments such as long-distance voice and business clients. The cable operators offer voice services over their extensive networks and have the potential to acquire a significant portion of the fixed-line voice market as they offer enticing triple play services.

The Internet in each country has experienced strong growth, with Estonia having the highest Internet penetration of 1 January 2005. Broadband growth has also been strong, particularly in the provision of Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) services, which is dominated by the incumbents. The cable operators also offer broadband services and hold a sizeable portion of the market.

Mobile penetration for the region is high, on par with some Western European countries. Lithuania has the second highest penetration rate in Eastern Europe as the market experienced significant growth throughout 2004, leading to 103.09% penetration as at March 2005.

Mobile data usage is increasing in the region. The operators are promoting the use of higher-margin mobile data services for two reasons; to compensate for reductions in voice tariffs and to increase ARPU as although the mobile voice markets are reaching saturation, the mobile data sector is still in the growth stages of market development. The introduction of additional content such as mobile TV in Lithuania, and the eventual introduction of high-speed 3G services in all three countries will have a positive impact on mobile data usage. The introduction of mobile applications such as email and services that use mobile phones to monitor the status of cars and houses in Estonia highlights the increasing potential of the mobile applications market.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c26710