Europe > Northern Europe > Denmark > Denmark Communication Profile 2012

Denmark: Denmark Communication Profile 2012

2012/05/19

 

 

 

Denmark Communication Profile 2012

Telecom sector background

Denmark’s competitive telecom sector has been stimulated by the government’s efforts to develop wide-scale FttH services capable of 1Gb/s by 2020. The excellent fixed-line platform is complemented by regulatory measures to allow MNOs to refarm spectrum for 3G and 4G use, while an imminent auction for 800MHz spectrum will further push mobile broadband connectivity in coming years. Fixed-line telephony penetration is low, and continues to fall as consumers adopt VoIP and mobile alternatives. In general revenue has been affected by the poor economic climate, being stagnant since 2008. This has as well affected investment part telcos, which have concentrated on expanding their mobile and fibre-based networks, and securing spectrum.

Telecom Market and Regulatory

Denmark has a competitive telecom market, and enjoys Europe’s highest broadband penetration rate. Its mobile sector has progressed with amount operators encouraging consumer uptake of data services on upgraded HSPA networks, while recent auctions for 2.6GHz spectrum have paved the way for network operators to deploy mobile broadband services based on LTE. The fixed-line sector continues to contract, as additional people forego fixed phones for VoIP and mobile-only solutions. This statement introduces the key aspects of the Danish telecom market, presenting comprehensive data on the fixed network services sector and profiles of the major operators. It as well analyses market statistics and assesses the key regulatory issues including interconnection, local loop unbundling, number portability and carrier preselection.


Key developments: Continuing slide in number of PSTN lines; telecom regulator abolished, with tasks reassigned to other agencies; regulator’s H1 2011 market data update; telcos’ operating and financial data to end-2011; market developments into 2012.

Broadband sector

Denmark has the highest broadband penetration in the world, the result of excellent cable and DSL infrastructure and progressive regulatory regime which has encouraged operator access to both copper and fibre networks. Although fibre networks as from now on have only a small footprint, a number of community and metropolitan schemes have supplemented TDC’s commitments. Unusually within Europe, Denmark has focussed on FttH architecture rather than FttB. This statement assesses developments in Denmark’s fixed and wireless broadband markets, and provides broadband forecasts to 2020.


Key developments:Continuing increase in fibre network roll-outs; regulator’s H1 2011 market data update; telcos’ operating and financial data to end-2011; market developments into 2012.

Mobile sector

Denmark’s mobile market has shown steady increase despite the country having of the highest mobile penetration rates in Europe. Increase has been stimulated by consumer request for data services, and this is set to continue strongly during the next few years in the wake of the award of licences for 2.56Hz spectrum and the anticipated auction of spectrum in the 800MHz band. Amount major operators – TDC Mobile, Telenor Denmark, Telia and Hi3G – are developing LTE services, supplementing their existing HSPA networks. This statement provides statistics and research on the Danish mobile market, including the key regulatory issues and the increase of mobile data services such as mobile TV.


Key developments: TeliaSonera providing 75% LTE coverage; regulator prepares for mid-2012 800MHz spectrum auction; TeliaSonera and Telenor sign network infrastructure sharing transaction; TDC develops MVNO interests; mobile data traffic increase; MTRs reduced to DKK0.33 per minute; 3 Denmark shows 21% jump in subscriber base in 2011; MNOs develop NFC-based mobile wallet; regulator’s H1 2011 market data update; telcos’ operating and financial data to end-2011; market developments into 2012.

Digital Economy and Digital TV

Denmark is part the additional progressive nations in Europe with the uptake of broadband and digital media services. Cable TV companies, which access additional than half of Danish homes, have supplemented traditional pay TV and broadband packages with VoIP, VoD and mobile services. Analogue switch-off was affected in late 2009, allowing for 800GHz spectrum to be allocated for mobile broadband and other services. This statement presents a comprehensive overview of the major service providers in Denmark in 2011, providing the new market statistics and noting the status of digital TV via terrestrial, cable and satellite platforms.


Key developments: Stofa buys cable interests of Canal Digital; VoIP accounting for 37% of amount fixed telephony subscriptions; regulator’s H1 2011 market data update; telcos’ operating and financial data to end-2011; market developments into 2012.

Key telecom parameters – 2010; 2013

Sector

2010

2013 (e)

Subscribers by sector (million):

Fixed broadband subscribers

2.15

2.49

Mobile broadband (dedicated cards)

0.79

0.98

Mobile phone

7.72

9.25

Fixed-line telephony

1.79

1.35

Penetration by sector:

Broadband

38%

48%

Mobile

136%

147%

Fixed-line

32%

25%

(Source: BuddeComm)

Market Highlights

  • Licensees for spectrum the 800MHz band must provide mobile broadband services of at least 10Mb/s. Spectrum will be available from the beginning of 2013 with coverage obligations to be fulfilled by 2015.
  • The cable sector has been consolidated to major players: TDC’s YouSee and Stofa. These operators now enjoyed better scale to invest in DOCSIS3.0 technology and so retain customers in areas where FttH is being rolled out.
  • The government has continued with measures to facilitate municipal access to fibre infrastructure in a bid to ensure that 80% households have a 50Mb/s service by 2013, and that 1Gb/s services are widely available by 2020. Sympathetic regulatory treatment will propel the fibre sector in coming years, with Denmark expected to have part the additional concentrated FttH networks in Europe within the next decade. In 2012, the reach of FttX networks is expected to increase by at least 35%.
Internet country code: 

.dk

Communications note: