Montenegro - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband

Montenegro has a small telecom market supported by a population of only 623,000. Fixed broadband services are available via a variety of technology platforms, though fibre is the dominant platform, accounting for almost 40% of connections. The growth of fibre has largely been at the expense of DSL as customers are migrated to fibre networks as these are built out progressively.

Mobile penetration is particularly high, though this is partly due to the significant number of tourists visiting the country seasonally, as also to the popularity of subscribers having multiple prepaid cards. In the wake of the pandemic and associated restrictions on travel, the number of mobile subscribers fell in 2020, as also in the first quarter of 2021, year-on-year. Networks support a vibrant mobile broadband services sector, largely based on LTE. Two of the MNOs began trialling 5G in May 2021, though commercial services will not gain traction until after the multi-spectrum auction is completed at the end of 2021. Spectrum is available in the 694-790MHz and 3400-3800MHz ranges, as well as in the 26.5-27.5GHz range.

BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure.

Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries.

On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth.

Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report.

The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions.

Key developments:

Crnogorski Telekom and Telenor Montenegro begin 5G trials;

Regulator planning multi-spectrum 5G auction by end-2021;

T-Mobile Montenegro launches a 500Mb/s mobile data service;

Crnogorski Telekom expands VDSL services as complement to fibre roll-out;

Report update includes the regulator's market data to March 2021, telcos' operating and financial data to Q1 2021, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Crnogorski Telekom (T-Mobile Montenegro), M:tel, Telenor Montenegro.

Key statistics

Regional European Market Comparison

Europe Telecom Maturity Index by tier
- Market Leaders
- Market Challengers
- Market Emergents
TMI versus GDP
Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration

Country overview

Covid-19 and its impact on the telecom sector

Economic considerations and responses
Subscribers
Infrastructure

Telecommunications market

Market analysis

Regulatory environment

Historical overview
Regulatory authority
Fixed-line developments
- Telecom sector liberalisation
- Privatisation
- Interconnect
- Access
- Carrier Selection/Carrier PreSelection
- Number Portability (NP)
- European Electronic Communications Code
Mobile network developments
- 3G mobile licences
- 700MHz
- Multi-spectrum auction - 2021
- Roaming
- Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

Mobile market

Market analysis
Mobile statistics
Mobile infrastructure
- 5G
- 4G (LTE)
- 3G
Mobile data
- Short Message Service (SMS)/Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
Mobile broadband
Major mobile operators
- Telenor Montenegro
- T-Mobile Montenegro
- M:tel

Fixed-line broadband market

Introduction and statistical overview
Broadband statistics
Fixed-line broadband technologies
- Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) networks
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks
- Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) networks
- Other fixed broadband services

Fixed network operators

Introduction
Crnogorski Telekom

Telecommunications infrastructure

Overview of the national telecom network

Appendix - Historic data

Glossary of abbreviations

Related reports

List of Tables

Table 1 - Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities - Montenegro - 2021 (e)
Table 2 - Change in household use of devices used for internet access (%) - 2016 - 2018
Table 3 - Penetration of computers and internet in SMEs- 2013 - 2018
Table 4 - Length of shared cable ducts - 2011 - 2019
Table 5 - Change in the number of annual fixed numbers ported - 2012 - 2019
Table 6 - Change in the number of annual mobile numbers ported - 2011 - 2019
Table 7 - Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration rate - 2011 - 2026
Table 8 - Mobile market share of subscribers by operator - 2011 - 2021
Table 9 - Change in the number of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Table 10 - Change in the proportion of prepaid and contract subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Table 11 - Decline in SMS traffic - 2014 - 2021
Table 12 - Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
Table 13 - Dedicated mobile broadband subscribers by operator - 2011 - 2019
Table 14 - Change in the number of Telenor Montenegro's mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Table 15 - Development of PPF revenue (Serbia and Montenegro, € million) - 2017 - 2020
Table 16 - Change in Telenor Montenegro's mobile ARPU (€/month) - 2018 - 2020
Table 17 - Change in the number of T-Mobile Montenegro's mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Table 18 - Change in T-Mobile Montenegro's mobile subscribers by type (company data) - 2009 - 2020
Table 19 - Growth in T-Mobile Montenegro's mobile revenue (HRK) - 2017 - 2020
Table 20 - Change in the number of M:tel's mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Table 21 - M:tel mobile subscribers by type (company data) - 2011 - 2020
Table 22 - Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration rate - 2011 - 2026
Table 23 - Change in market share of broadband connections by platform - 2010 - 2021
Table 24 - Change in the market share of broadband connections by speed - 2013 - 2021
Table 25 - Increase in the number of cable broadband subscribers - 2012 - 2021
Table 26 - Change in the number of DSL broadband subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Table 27 - Increase in the number of Crnogorski Telekom's broadband subscribers - 2011 - 2019
Table 28 - Development in the number of FttX subscribers by type - 2011 - 2021
Table 29 - Installed FttX ports - 2011 - 2021
Table 30 - Proportion of FttX subscribers by type- 2011 - 2020
Table 31 - Decline in the number of WiMAX ports in service - 2011 - 2021
Table 32 - Decline in the number of Wi-Fi subscribers - 2015 - 2021
Table 33 - Change in the number of fixed lines by operator - 2010 - 2021
Table 34 - Change in the share of fixed-lines by operator - 2011 - 2021
Table 35 - Decline in the number of Crnogorski Telekom's fixed-line voice customers - 2011 - 2019
Table 36 - Crnogorski Telekom revenue by sector (HRK million) - 2017 - 2020
Table 37 - Growth in the number of fixed lines in service and teledensity - 2011 - 2026
Table 38 - Historic - Internet users and penetration rate - 2000 - 2015
Table 39 - Historic - Dial-up internet subscribers - 2010 - 2017
Table 40 - Historic - Fixed lines in service and teledensity - 2004 - 2010
Table 41 - Historic - Mobile subscribers and penetration rate - 2004 - 2010
Table 42 - Historic - Prepaid and contract mobile subscribers - 2004 - 2010
Table 43 - Historic - Proportion of prepaid and contract subscribers - 2004 - 2010
Table 44 - Historic - Mobile market share of subscribers by operator - 2004 - 2010
Table 45 - Historic - T-Mobile Montenegro mobile subscribers - 2004 - 2010
Table 46 - Historic - Telenor Montenegro subscribers - 2004 - 2010
Table 47 - Historic - T-Mobile Montenegro mobile MOU and ARPU - 2005 - 2016
Table 48 - Historic - T-Mobile Montenegro mobile revenue (HUF) - 2009 - 2017
Table 49 - Historic - IPTV subscribers and share of pay TV market - 2008 - 2020
Table 50 - Historic - Crnogorski Telekom financial data (HUF million) - 2006 - 2017
Table 51 - Historic - Crnogorski Telekom revenue by sector (HUF million) - 2009 - 2016
Table 52 - Historic - M:tel financial data (RSD million) - 2008 - 2011
Table 53 - Historic - Penetration of devices by household - 2012 - 2015
Table 54 - Historic - Business e-commerce use - 2014 - 2016
Table 55 - Historic - Telenor Montenegro financial data (NOK million) - 2005 - 2018
Table 56 - Historic - Telenor Montenegro ARPU - 2004 - 2018
Table 57 - Historic - Telenor Montenegro monthly mobile traffic - 2004 - 2018
Table 58 - Historic - M-Kable broadband subscribers - 2010 - 2017
Table 59 - Historic - Change in the number of M:tel's mobile subscribers - 2007 - 2010
Table 60 - Historic - Increase in the number of DSL broadband subscribers - 2005 - 2010
Table 61 - Historic - Increase in the number of Crnogorski Telekom's broadband subscribers - 2005 - 2010
Table 62 - Historic - Decline in the number of WiMAX ports in service - 2007 - 2010
Table 63 - Historic - Decline in the number of Crnogorski Telekom's fixed-line voice customers - 2005 - 2010
Table 64 - Historic - Dedicated mobile broadband subscribers by operator - 2008 - 2010
Table 65 - Historic - M:tel mobile subscribers by type (company data) - 2008 - 2010

List of Charts

Chart 1 - Europe Telecoms Maturity Index - Market Leaders (top tier)
Chart 2 - Europe Telecoms Maturity Index - Market Challengers (middle tier)
Chart 3 - Europe Telecoms Maturity Index - Market Emergents (bottom tier)
Chart 4 - Overall view - Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per Capita
Chart 5 - Europe - mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 6 - Scandinavia and Baltics - mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 7 - Northern Europe - mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 8 - Southern Europe mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 9 - Eastern Europe mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 10 - Scandinavia and Baltics fixed and mobile broadband penetration
Chart 11 - Northern Europe fixed and mobile broadband penetration
Chart 12 - Southern Europe fixed and mobile broadband penetration
Chart 13 - Eastern Europe fixed and mobile broadband penetration
Chart 14 - Change in household use of devices used for internet access (%) - 2016 - 2018
Chart 15 - Change in the number of annual fixed numbers ported - 2012 - 2019
Chart 16 - Change in the number of annual mobile numbers ported - 2011 - 2019
Chart 17 - Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration rate - 2011 - 2026
Chart 18 - Mobile market share of subscribers by operator- 2011 - 2021
Chart 19 - Change in the number of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Chart 20 - Change in the proportion of prepaid and contract subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Chart 21 - Decline in SMS traffic - 2014 - 2021
Chart 22 - Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration - 2011 - 2026
Chart 23 - Dedicated mobile broadband subscribers by operator - 2011 - 2019
Chart 24 - Change in the number of Telenor Montenegro's mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Chart 25 - Development of PPF revenue (Serbia and Montenegro, € million) - 2017 - 2020
Chart 26 - Change in the number of Telenor Montenegro's mobile subscribers - 2018 - 2020
Chart 27 - Change in the number of T-Mobile Montenegro's mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Chart 28 - Change in T-Mobile Montenegro's mobile subscribers by type (company data) - 2009 - 2020
Chart 29 - Change in the number of M:tel's mobile subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Chart 30 - Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration rate - 2011 - 2026
Chart 31 - Change in market share of broadband connections by platform - 2010 - 2021
Chart 32 - Change in the market share of broadband connections by speed - 2013 - 2021
Chart 33 - Increase in the number of cable broadband subscribers - 2012 - 2021
Chart 34 - Change in the number of DSL broadband subscribers - 2011 - 2021
Chart 35 - Increase in the number of Crnogorski Telekom's broadband subscribers - 2011 - 2019
Chart 36 - Development in the number of FttX subscribers by type - 2011 - 2021
Chart 37 - Decline in the number of WiMAX ports in service - 2011 - 2021
Chart 38 - Decline in the number of Wi-Fi subscribers - 2015 - 2021
Chart 39 - Change in the number of fixed-lines by operator - 2010 - 2021
Chart 40 - Change in the share of fixed-lines by operator - 2011 - 2021
Chart 41 - Decline in the number of Crnogorski Telekom's fixed-line voice customers - 2011 - 2019
Chart 42 - Crnogorski Telekom revenue by sector (HRK) - 2017 - 2020
Chart 43 - Growth in the number of fixed lines in service and teledensity - 2011 - 2026

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1 - Generalised Market Characteristics by Market Segment
Exhibit 2 - Spectrum allocation by operator - 2021
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Montenegro - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Description

Table of Contents

List of Tables

Montenegro aiming for multi-spectrum auction at end-2021

Key developments:

Companies mentioned in this report:

Table of Contents

Key statistics

Regional European Market Comparison

Country overview

Covid-19 and its impact on the telecom sector

Telecommunications market

Regulatory environment

Mobile market

Fixed-line broadband market

Fixed network operators

Telecommunications infrastructure

Appendix - Historic data

Glossary of abbreviations

Related reports

List of Tables

List of Charts

List of Exhibits