BuddeComm’s latest Benelux Annual Publication, profiles the three countries which have been among the most advanced in Europe in the use and development of telecommunications services. With small populations sophisticated in the use of advanced technologies, these countries also benefit from an infusion of people and capital investment from their larger neighbours, as well as the infrastructural developments arising from the several EU administrative centres established in the region.

The Benelux countries offer some of Europe’s strongest contrasts in the telecom sectors, including Europe’s highest mobile penetration level adjacent to one of the lowest, and a nation rich in advanced broadband development neighbouring a small country struggling to keep up. Digital TV is widely available, and regional switchover from analogue transmission is already underway.

This report reviews the status of GSM and 3G mobile in these small but central and important countries during 2005, and assesses the status of digital TV and converging media. It also looks ahead to the latest developments in DSL, cable and fibre technology in 2006 and beyond, and analyses the potential for developing triple play services based on these faster networks.

1. BELGIUM
1.1 Key statistics
1.2 Telecommunications market
1.2.1 Overview of Belgium’s telecom market
1.3 Regulatory environment
1.3.1 History
1.3.2 Regulatory authority
1.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation in Belgium
1.4 Fixed network operators in Belgium
1.4.1 Belgacom
1.4.2 Colt Telecom NV
1.4.3 Mobistar
1.4.4 Scarlet (formerly KPN Belgium)
1.4.5 Tele2
1.4.6 Telenet
1.4.7 Versatel Telecom
1.5 Telecommunications infrastructure
1.5.1 National telecom network
1.5.2 International infrastructure
1.5.3 Regulatory issues
1.6 Broadband and Internet market
1.6.1 Overview
1.6.2 Cable modems
1.6.3 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
1.6.4 Other DSL developments
1.6.5 Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH) networks
1.6.6 Wireless broadband
1.7 Convergence – Triple Play and Digital TV
1.7.1 Overview of media convergence
1.7.2 Key general trends
1.7.3 Triple play models
1.7.4 Regulatory issues
1.7.5 Digital TV
1.7.6 Cable TV
1.7.7 Satellite TV
1.8 Mobile Communications
1.8.1 Overview of Belgium’s mobile market
1.8.2 Regulatory issues
1.8.3 Mobile technologies
1.8.4 Major mobile operators
1.8.5 Mobile voice services
1.8.6 Mobile data services
1.8.7 Mobile applications
2. LUXEMBOURG
2.1 Key statistics
2.2 Telecommunications market
2.2.1 Overview of Luxembourg’s telecom market
2.3 Regulatory environment
2.3.1 History
2.3.2 Regulatory authorities
2.3.3 Telecom sector liberalisation in Luxembourg
2.4 Fixed network operators in Luxembourg
2.4.1 P&T Luxembourg
2.4.2 Cegecom
2.4.3 Tele2
2.4.4 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
2.5 Telecommunictions infrastructure
2.5.1 National telecom network
2.6 Broadband and Internet market
2.6.1 Overview
2.6.2 Cable modems
2.6.3 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
2.6.4 Wireless broadband
2.6.5 Internet via satellite
2.7 Convergence
2.7.1 Overview of media convergence
2.7.2 Cable TV
2.7.3 Satellite TV
2.7.4 RTL Group
2.7.5 SES Astra
2.8 Mobile communications
2.8.1 Overview of Luxembourg’s mobile market
2.8.2 Mobile statistics
2.8.3 Regulatory issues
2.8.4 Mobile number portability
2.8.5 Roaming
2.8.6 Mobile technologies
2.8.7 Major mobile operators
2.8.8 Mobile data services
3. NETHERLANDS
3.1 Key statistics
3.1.1 Telecommunications market
3.2 Regulatory environment
3.2.1 History
3.2.2 Regulatory authority
3.2.3 Telecom sector liberalisation in The Netherlands
3.2.4 Fixed network operators in The Netherlands
3.3 Telecommunications infrastructure
3.3.1 National telecom network
3.3.2 International infrasctructre
3.3.3 Regulatory issues
3.4 Broadband and Internet market
3.4.1 Overview
3.4.2 Cable modems
3.4.3 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
3.4.4 Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH) networks
3.4.5 Broadband Powerline (BPL)
3.4.6 Wireless broadband
3.5 Convergence – Triple Play and Digital TV
3.5.1 Overview of media convergence
3.5.2 Key general trends
3.5.3 Triple play models
3.5.4 Regulator issues
3.5.5 Digital TV
3.5.6 Cable TV
3.5.7 Satellite TV
3.6 Mobile Communications
3.6.1 Overview
3.6.2 Regulatory issues
3.6.3 Mobile technologies
3.6.4 Major mobile operators
3.6.5 Mobile voice services
3.6.6 Mobile data services
4. GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS


Exhibit 1 – Broadcast channels
Exhibit 2 – Cable TV subscriber statistics and penetration – 1995 - 2002
Exhibit 3 – Plan of action – 2003 - 2015
Exhibit 4 – The Digitenne value proposition




Table 1 – Benelux mobile penetration and annual growth - 2005
Table 2 – Country statistics Belgium – 2005
Table 3 – Telephone network statistics – 2003
Table 4 – Internet user statistics – July 2005
Table 5 – Broadband statistics – March 2005
Table 6 – Mobile statistics – March 2005
Table 7 – National telecommunications authority
Table 8 – Number portability in Belgium – 2001 - 2004
Table 9 – Belgacom operational data per market segment – 2000 - 2005
Table 10 – Telnet subscriber statistics per market segment – 2003
Table 11 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2003
Table 12 – Cost of voice calls and annual change - 2004
Table 13 – Internet user growth and penetration – 1995 - 2005
Table 14 – Broadband subscribers statistics and penetration (cable modem & DSL) – 2000 - 2005
Table 15 – Cable modem subscribers – 2000 - 2004
Table 16 – Telenet cable modem subscribers – 1999 - 2004
Table 17 – UPC cable Internet operating statistics – 2004
Table 18 – ADSL subscribers – 2000 - 2005
Table 19 – Belgacom ADSL subscribers – 2000 - 2004
Table 20 – Broadcasting market statistical overview - 2003
Table 21 – Telenet cable TV operating statistics – 2004
Table 22 – UPC cable TV operating statistics – 2004
Table 23 – Satellite TV subscribers – 1995 - 2005
Table 24 – Mobile subscribers and annual growth by operator – March 2005
Table 25 – Mobile subscribers and teledensity – 1995 - 2005
Table 26 – Market share by operator – March 2005
Table 27 – BASE prepaid subscribers and market share – 2004 - 2005
Table 28 – Proximus subscribers (contract and prepaid customers) – June 2005
Table 29 – Premium SMS market overview
Table 30 – BASE i-mode subscribers - 2004 - 2005
Table 31 – Country statistics Luxembourg – 2005
Table 32 – Telephone network statistics – 2003
Table 33 – Internet user statistics – July 2005
Table 34 – Broadband statistics – March 2005
Table 35 – Mobile statistics – March 2005
Table 36 – National telecommunications authorities
Table 37 – Telecommunications licences in Luxembourg – 2004
Table 38 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2003
Table 39 – Internet users and penetration – 1995 - 2005
Table 40 – Total broadband subscribers (per cable modem and xDSL) and penetration – 2001 - 2005
Table 41 – Cable TV subscribers and penetration of TV homes – 1995 - 2002
Table 42 – Mobile subscribers by operator and annual growth – March 2005
Table 43 – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 1996 - 2005
Table 44 – Country statistics Netherlands – 2004
Table 45 – Telephone network statistics – 2004
Table 46 – Internet user statistics – July 2005
Table 47 – Broadband statistics – March 2005
Table 48 – Mobile statistics – March 2005
Table 49 – National telecommunications authority
Table 50 – LLU status (number of lines) - March 2005
Table 51 – Number portability status - 2002 - 2004
Table 52 – Mobile number portability status - 2001 - 2004
Table 53 – Approximate KPN fixed telephony market shares – 2001 - 2004
Table 54 - Residential fixed telephony costs (KPN & CPS) – 2000 - 2003
Table 55 – UPC subscriber statistics per market segments – June 2005
Table 56 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2004
Table 57 – Summary of 3 minute call charges by call type - 2003 - 2004
Table 58 – Total broadband subscribers (cable modem, xDSL, fibre) – 1999 - 2005
Table 59 – Broadband ISP market shares (cable and ADSL) - 2003
Table 60 – Cable modem subscribers – 2000 - 2005
Table 61 – ADSL subscribers – 2000 - 2005
Table 62 – Cable and satellite TV statistics per market segments and penetration – 1998 - 2003
Table 63 – Cable TV subscribers and penetration of TV homes – 1995 - 2003
Table 64 – Cable TV operators’ estimated market shares – 2003
Table 65 – UPC Nederland statistics per market segment – 2004
Table 66 – Casema subscriber statistics per market segment – 2004
Table 67 – Satellite TV subscribers and penetration – 1995 - 2003
Table 68 – Mobile subscribers by operator and annual growth – March 2005
Table 69 – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 1997 - 2005
Table 70 – Market share by operator – subscribers (millions) and market shares – 2002 - 2004
Table 71 – 3G licence awards (Spectrum, Spectrum fees and admin fees) - July 2000
Table 72 – KPN mobile statistics – 2004 - 2005
Table 73 – KPN Mobile prepaid subscribers – 2004 - 2005
Table 74 – KPN’s i-Mode subscribers - 2002 - 2005