Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/gjsf4h/macedonia) has announced the addition of the "Macedonia - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts" report to their offering.

Reference offer sets out regulatory encouragement for FttH

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Macedonia) has been a European Union (EU) candidate country since 2005. As part of the EU pre-accession process, the country has built closer economic ties with the Union: the EU accounts for 60% of Macedonia's exports and about half of its imports. Closer regulatory and administrative ties with European Commission (EC) institutions have done much to develop the telecom sector and prepare the market for the competitive environment encouraged in the EU.

As part of EU integration legislation has implemented the principles of the EU's regulatory framework for communications, established an independent regulator and set out a number of provisions to provide for a competitive telecom market, including wholesale access to the incumbent's fixed-line network. Although the fixed telephony market has been liberalised, the incumbent continues to dominate the sector. Broadband services are widely available, with effective competition between DSL and cable platforms complemented by wireless broadband and a nascent FttX sector.

Broadband services are available via DSL, fibre, cable and wireless and the incumbent has launched IPTV services in competition with well-established cable TV operators. Macedonia's mobile market is served by a triopoly of mobile network operators, two of which benefit from the technical know-how and financial resources of parent companies Deutsche Telekom and Telekom Austria. Mobile data services are also available and this market is also expected to become increasingly important as new subscriber additions fade in the maturing mobile voice market. With WCDMA/HSPA networks in place, the focus for mobile data has shifted to mobile broadband offerings.

Market highlights:

• Competitors are making inroads into the fixed telephony market, with alternative operators representing almost a fifth of fixed lines. Market prospects for competitors have improved as a result of recent regulatory measures.
• Broadband uptake growth is expected to maintain momentum during the next few years, with the incumbent placing greater emphasis in FttX networks.
• Digital TV is widely available via satellite, digital terrestrial TV and broadband TV. The incumbent's IPTV subscriber base has grown steadily in the wake of upgraded network capabilities, which has contributed to fewer customers to satellite services.
• Competition is intensifying in the mobile market. Mobile number portability has grown rapidly following a reduction in fees. Mobile voice penetration is on a par with the EU average, while high-end mobile data services represent a considerable growth area for MNOs in coming years.
• The regulator in mid-2012 prepared a public tender for the use of frequencies in the 470-790MHz band to support two multiplexes for DTTV broadcasts nationally. Henry Lancaster

Key developments:

• Telekom Slovenije merges Macedonian subsidiaries into ONE
• Market for fixed-line telephony falls in 2011
• Regulator prepares for 4G licence auction in 800MHz band
• Telecoms market accounting for 7% of GDP, well above the EU average
• VIP Mobile awarded additional spectrum for 3G services
• Regulator market data for Q2 2012
• Telcos' operating and financial data to June 2012.

Companies covered in this report include:

• Makedonski Telekom
• ONE
• VIP
• Blizoo (formerly CabelTel)
• Telecom Slovenia.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive summary

2. Key statistics

3. Telecommunications market

3.1 Overview of Macedonia's telecom market

4. Regulatory environment

4.1 History

4.2 Regulatory authority

4.3 Telecom sector liberalisation in Macedonia

4.4 Overview of operators

4.5 Makedonski Telekom

4.6 ONE

5. Telecommunications infrastructure

6. Internet market

6.1 Overview

6.2 Internet statistics

6.3 Macedonia's emerging Internet society

7. Fixed broadband market

7.1 Overview

7.2 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)

7.3 Cable broadband

7.4 FttH

7.5 Fixed wireless broadband

7.6 Wireless broadband

8. Digital media

8.1 Overview of broadcasting market

8.2 Digital TV

9. Mobile communications

9.1 Overview of Macedonia's mobile market

9.2 Regulatory issues

9.3 Mobile technologies

9.4 Mobile operators

9.5 Mobile voice services

9.6 Mobile data services

9.7 Mobile content and applications

10. Broadband subscriber forecasts

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/gjsf4h/macedonia