These networks now cover 40 and over 99 per cent of Swedish households respectively. The increase in mobile broadband coverage is particularly pronounced in sparsely populated areas. Networks in these areas cover almost 98 per cent of households, compared with just under 79 per cent in 2008. In total, around 2,800 households and businesses have no broadband coverage at all, a figure that has decreased since 2008, when 4,400 households and businesses did not have any coverage.
PTS considers that the demand for faster broadband will increase in pace with the development of new digital services and emerging changes in user patterns. For this reason, the Agency has investigated the transmission rates offered by broadband networks in different parts of Sweden. There are considerable differences between densely populated areas and those parts of Sweden that are more sparsely populated. Today, really high speeds can only be accessed with wired connections.
"The broadband infrastructure in Sweden is competivite, but if we are to achieve the long-term objective of a world-class broadband service, the whole country needs to be able to benefit from the ongoing rollout of broadband networks that deliver high speeds. We need joint forces in the broadband sector. The Swedish Government has provided us with a solid foundation through the national broadband strategy," said Göran Marby, Director-General of PTS.
A number of our neighbouring countries are investing in broadband and have ambitious goals. Sweden has also had a 'Broadband Strategy for Sweden' since November 2009. This strategy has set the objective of 90 per cent of Swedish households and businesses having access to 100 Mbps by 2020. Although this growth is to be market-driven, central, regional and local government will also play an important role. Public stakeholders, including PTS, can pave the way and push this development forward; for example, by removing barriers, initiating cooperation and ensuring that the financing arrangements available are also being used. One of the ways in which PTS can support improved accessibility to rapid broadband services is by intensifying its work to promote effective competition in the broadband sector and continuing to improve radio spectrum management.
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For more information, please contact:
Mattias Viklund, head of Market Analysis, tel. 073-066 57 11 or
PTS's Press Office 08-678 55 55.
HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) is a wireless broadband technology that increases the data transmission rate in 3G networks.
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.