A new survey
of EU Accession States by Quantum Web reveals that
broadband usage is escalating almost 400k broadband
users being added to the new EU total. More than 55%
of broadband subscribers in the total 10 new EU member
states reside in Hungary and Poland.
The survey,
which includes detailed pricing analysis, benchmarks
the European (EU and non-EU) average price* for a
flat rate 512 kbps residential connection at EUR 52.83
(USD 63.00) as at the end of February 2004.
In comparison,
the average broadband price for the same rate band
in Accession States is only EUR 30.80 (USD 36.73).
whereas the
average price in the original 15 EU is EUR 46 (USD
55.00) for the same period (February 2004).
The findings
of the survey suggest that of the total 10 new EU
members, value-added broadband services are the key
to generating revenues from fixed phone lines for
incumbent and other operators. Companies such as Deutsche
Telekom and TeliaSonera have already started to see
new revenue streams from their subsidiaries and domestic
partners in the region.
The survey
noted that countries such as Estonia, Slovenia and
Cyprus in particular, are experiencing higher than
average broadband penetration that has been supported
by cheaper tariffs.
*Price includes,
connection fee, set up fee, device cost where they
were applied.
