Released on = December 1, 2006, 4:10 am

Press Release Author = Sunil Nair

Industry = Telecommunications

Press Release Summary = This report covers Italy and Malta, together representing
one of the largest and most influential telecom markets in Europe, as well as one of
the smallest yet technologically proficient

Press Release Body = Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband in Europe report Italy and Malta
2006-2007

This report covers Italy and Malta, together representing one of the largest and
most influential telecom markets in Europe, as well as one of the smallest yet
technologically proficient. Trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile,
Internet, broadband, digital TV and converging media including VoIP, VoD and IPTV
developments. Subjects include:

Market and industry analyses, trends and developments;
Facts, figures and statistics;
Industry and regulatory issues;
Research, Marketing, Benchmarking;
Major Players, Revenues, Subscribers, Prepaid;
VoIP, IPTV, VoD, digital TV and DTTV;
Converging media.
Executive Summary

BuddeComm’s latest Italy and Malta Annual Publication, ‘2006/2007 Telecoms, Mobile
and Broadband in Italy and Malta’, profiles two contrasting telecom markets. Italy’s
large population is the furnace for one of Europe’s more important telecoms services
markets, and nurtures a sophisticated mobile, broadband and digital TV presence. The
cable footprint remains relatively insignificant, while the nation’s fibre sector
continues to be an innovative leader, providing Italians with one of the fastest
broadband infrastructures on the continent. This has helped to boost popular
enthusiasm for triple play services, and will provide a strong foundation for IPTV,
VoD and VoIP in 2007 and coming years.

Malta has Europe’s smallest telecom market, but the country has close
infrastructural ties to Italy, particularly in the mobile and broadband sectors.
These were cemented further following the sale of the incumbent Maltacom in May
2006, since the new owners were required to invest over the next three years to
increase data bandwidth between Malta and Italy, enter the digital TV market, launch
interactive TV and enhance VoIP services. 2006 saw the launch of 3G services from
Vodafone, though its monopoly will be lost in early 2007 as Maltacom’s 3G network
comes online. Malta was slow to liberalise certain market sectors, but effective
management by the regulator has in recent years has lead to introduction of number
portability as well as other important measures to develop competition in a market
restricted by its size and the incumbent’s dominance in the fixed-line sector.

This report presents a concise overview of sector liberalisation and privatisation
in Italy and Malta, and the development of product offerings for both mobile and
broadband as providers mould their strategies in markets expected to be more
competitive during 2007. It also provides essential operator statistics highlighting
sector development, assesses regulatory changes and their implications, and analyses
the emergence of convergence and triple play services.

Key Highlights

The sale of Malta’s incumbent operator in mid-2006 was conditional on a substantial
three-year investment program which will have enormous implications for the
development of broadband and digital TV in coming years.
Malta’s 3G sector was among the last in Europe to be licensed. Vodafone launched
services during 2006 and will face competition from Maltacom as its network
progresses with the financial backing of its parent Tecom.
Italy’s crowded mobile market is among the more competitive in Europe. Take-up of 3G
has increased from 4% of mobile subscribers in 2004 to 19% by mid-2006, one of the
highest proportions in Europe. Growth in 2007 is likely to be rapid in the wake of
sophisticated mobile TV launches and the spread of advanced technologies such as
HSDPA.
Italy is poorly served by cable, but the country has an enviable fibre network, with
FASTWEB providing one of the most comprehensive footprints in Europe, expected to
reach more than ten million homes in early 2007 as the effects of a €3 billion
network investment bear fruit.
Italy’s triple play development is one of the strongest in Europe, gaining maturity
in 2006 on the back of ADSL2+ and fibre roll-outs. FASTWEB continues to be a leader
for fibre deployment in Italy, and an innovator for consumer services. Its popular
REPLAYtv and joint partnership agreements with Sky Italia offers a new direction for
Italian consumers to access broadband content, and may serve as a model for other
operators in Europe in 2007. Telecom Italia’s IPTV service Alice Home TV serviced
more than 100 areas by the end of 2006, providing a considerable boost for content
suppliers.


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