Mobility in the broadband market is impaired when consumers are unaware of or do not use the opportunity to switch service provider, which may result in prices not being subject to downward pressure. This can also mean that consumers accept contracts with lengthy lock-in and notice periods, which they may not have done if they had been aware of the alternatives available.
PTS has also previously drawn attention to how reduced mobility in the market results in problems for consumers. In its report entitled Möjligheten att byta [Opportunities to switch] (only in Swedish), PTS observes among other things that many consumers feel that they will lose money if they switch mobile operator.
PTS also urges consumers to use the comparison services available on the market, such as Telepriskollen (only in Swedish), to find better or less expensive offers from operators.
More people have access to broadband
According to the survey the number of Swedes who have access to broadband at home is continuing to increase. Seventy-three per cent of the population between the ages of 16 and 75 had access to broadband according to the 2009 survey – this figure increased to 79 per cent according to this year’s survey. Mobile broadband and broadband via fibre are responsible for this increase.
Increase in mobile broadband use
The survey also shows that mobile broadband is being used by an increasing number of people as their primary means of connecting to the Internet. Fifteen per cent of the population now use mobile broadband as their main broadband connection. This represents an increase of four per cent since last year.
Swedes have several Internet connections
Around 40 per cent of the population between the ages of 16 and 75 are not satisfied with one connection, but supplement this by surfing using their mobile phones (16 per cent) or via mobile broadband (18 per cent). Twelve per cent of the population supplement their fixed broadband with another Internet connection.
The Survey of Individuals
PTS’s Survey of Individuals is its annual report describing how consumers view the telecommunications market. The first survey was conducted in 2002. PTS questioned 4,000 people between the ages of 16 and 75. The aim of the survey is to provide PTS with better information relating to how consumers view telephony, television and Internet services.
Read a summary of the survey
For more information, please contact:
Mattias Viklund, head of Accessibility and Market Analysis, tel. 073-066 57 11 or PTS's Press Office, tel. 08-678 55 55.
The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) monitors the electronic communications and postal sectors in Sweden. The term ‘electronic communications’ includes telephony, the Internet and radio. The Agency works with consumer and competition issues, efficient utilisation of resources and secure communications. Read more at www.pts.se.