HAKOM: Significant Investing in Broadband Infrastructure still necessary

ZAGREB, September 9, 2019 – More investments by the operator are expected regarding the access to broadband infrastructure in fixed networks, especially the investments in new generation networks (NGA). That can be seen after data processing and the indicators on the electronic communications market for the first two quarters of 2019. The afore-mentioned was registered by the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM). Although investments in fibre optic cables are exceeding 30%, the total investments have decreased by 20 % in fixed networks over the same six-month period in previous years. It is not sufficient for a significant shift to the DESI scale. At the same time, it was invested 40% more mobile networks investing in the new radio frequency spectrum contributed to the growth as well as investing in radio RF Spectrum.

At the end of June 2019, it was more than 1,145,000 broadband connections in fixed networks, which is about 3 % more than registered in June, 2018. There is still an increase in fibre optic service, although still less than 10 % of the Internet users through fibre optic infrastructure.

The second quarter of 2019 recorded the growth in the usage of mobile communications service in the electronic communications market, which is  connected to the new tourist season. Data services continued to grow and all three mobile network operators promoted offers for bundles of voice and data tariffs.

Total revenue recorded the growth of 1 % compared to the same quarter of the year before. The mobile network services most significant revenue growth recorded making almost 60% of total market revenue.

The market of TV- programme transmission is continually recording the growth. IPTV is still the leading technology with a market share of about 52 % of the total number of television users, and the potential development of this part of the market is significant since there are still 44 % households monitoring TV via digital terrestrial signal free to air.

ABOUT HAKOM: HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary