08.09.2009

FICORA market review 2/2009: Mobile communications market shows signs of recovery

The mobile communications market has shown signs of recovery during the first half-year of 2009. The number of ported mobile numbers grew by approximately 40 per cent compared with the same period last year. Mobile subscription volumes and data transmission in mobile networks continued to grow strongly.

Accelerated by mobile broadband subscriptions, the number of mobile subscriptions grew to nearly 7.3 million. In late 2008, subscription volumes went up by more than 6 per cent. Elisa took market leadership in mobile subscriptions, as its subscription volumes grew greater than those of its competitors. Call minutes showed slower growth and mobile call volumes even dropped by two per cent.

By early fall 2009, Finland had nearly 2,250,000 broadband subscriptions, which is seven per cent more than in late 2008. The majority of the growth comes from mobile broadband subscriptions, which grew by more than 180,000 subscriptions. Also, the number of wireless broadband subscriptions and broadband subscriptions provided in the cable network grew steadily. Broadband subscriptions based on DSL technology dropped by 15,000, whereas the total drop in the second half of 2008 was almost 40,000.

Households adopt HDTV slowly
HD readiness i.e. preparedness to receive high definition television transmissions is slowly becoming more common among households in Finland. In May-June 2009, about 27 per cent of television households had a flat high definition television. Instead, only 6 per cent of households had digital set-top boxes with HD readiness.

Investment opportunities favourable for telecom operators
The investment opportunities of the eleven greatest telecom companies in Finland have remained mainly favourable. The profitability, equity ratio and credit rating of these operators can be regarded to be very good. In particular, the equity ratio of nearly all of the above-mentioned eleven operators was high.

FICORA market review 2/2009:
The FICORA market review 2/2009 presents central and current market information regarding the communications market in Finland. In addition to the key figures describing voice call and broadband markets, the market review includes up-to-date statistical data on media markets and postal operations, as well as on the investment opportunities and needs of telecom companies.

FICORA market review 2/2009 (in Finnish) [PDF, 501KB]. The English version will be published later.

Further information:
Jukka-Pekka Juutinen, Communications Market Specialist, tel. +358 9 6966 433 (telecom issues)
Joonas Orkola, Communications Market Specialist, tel. +358 9 6966 734 (telecom issues)
Tiina Aaltonen, Development Manager, tel. +358 9 6966 430 (TV, radio and postal issues)