his report examines the Australian mobile communications market, identifying a number of important trends – on both the demand and side supply side. The killer app on mobile remains voice. Mobile data is slowly finding some niche markets (covered in a separate report). The report also analyses the current activities of the major players; Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Hutchison. Fixed mobile convergence (FMC) is another development that was speeding up in 2005.
As the market is approaching saturation with penetration levels of over 90%, mobile phones are rapidly becoming commodities and fierce price competition has set in to keep and win customers before the much-hyped next generation data services. Growth in subscribers is slowing and ARPU has been steadily declining as result of sharply increased prepaid subscriptions and a range of capped price plans. Since mid 2004, Vodafone and Hutchison have markedly increased their market share at the expense of Telstra and Optus, reaping the benefits of their capped pricing strategies. Data includes operator’s revenues, ARPU and revenue market shares.
There is still room to manoeuvre with another 2 million users to be added to customer base of the next three years. The report brings you up to data with 2005 data and some prediction out to 2006 and beyond. Market share, penetration statistics and some key trends are highlighted in this report. The growth is slowly coming down to single digit figures after more than a decade of double digit growth.
Avoiding the monthly fee has always been – and still is – a very successful way to broaden the appeal of mobile services. Many potential subscribers, particularly outside the business market, are simply not prepared to pay a monthly fee for a service that they feel they may use only occasionally, particularly if they are tied in to minimum contracts of one, two or even three years. The prepaid model has taken off around the world, even in Australia after a reluctant start. Growth has seen distribution issues arise and electronic recharge options emerge.
The main objective of 3G systems is to provide a more robust network with a range of data and multimedia services. When 3G was first conceived in the late 1980s and early 1990s there was little or no discussion on issues such as wireless broadband services driven by the Internet. With mobile failing to open up more data revenues, wireless broadband could well take over this market, leaving 3G behind.
The BuddeComm 2005/2006 Australia - Mobile Communications – from 2G to 3G report addresses all of these issues. The 136 page report describes the various segments in the mobile market and discusses the future of this industry.
Price Single-User PDF license $795 (excl GST for Australian Subscribers)
For a full table of contents see: Mobile Communications – from 2G to 3G
Annual telecoms reports – 18th edition
The 2005/2006 edition of our annual reports on the Australian Telecommunications Industry include:
Released in August 2005
PDF(SUL)*
Telecoms Industry – Overview and Statistics
$995
Market & Industry Analyses – Moving into 2006
$795
Residential, Business, Government and Regional Markets
$795
Telco Company Profiles - Telstra and Optus
$495
Telco Company Profiles - 2nd Tier Companies
$495
NGN, VoIP, IP and Internet
$795
Broadband Powerlines and Utilities Markets
$795
Mobile Communications – from 2G to 3G
$795
Mobile Data and Content Markets
$795
Broadband Market – DSL and cable modems
$795
Wireless Broadband market - the arrival of WiMAX
$795
Released in May 2005
Triple Play: IP, Broadband and Digital TV
$795
Broadcasting and Pay TV Market
$795
* SUL refers to Single-User Licence PDF editions of these publications, multi user pricing available upon request.
PAUL BUDDE Communication Pty Ltd, T/As BuddeComm 5385 George Downes Drive BUCKETTY NSW 2250B, Ph 02 49 988 144 (international x 61 2 4998 8144) Fx 02 49 988 247 (international x 61 2 4998 8247) mailto:[email protected]. http://www.budde.com.au BuddeComm operates the largest, continually updated, telecommunications research service on the Net If you would prefer not to receive our emails contact BuddeComm to have your address removed.
Disclaimer While Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd and its research team use their best efforts in the collection and preparation of the information included in our publications, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident or other causes. Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd and its associates may, from time to time, own, have positions or options in companies discussed herein and may also perform advisory services, and/or have other relationships with those companies.
