Only 317,000 of these connections are currently activated – and therefore almost 17 percent of the potential. The RTR Internet Monitor shows that 1.9 million broadband connections could currently be established. However, there is at least one positive trend: the number of activated connections up to the first quarter has increased by 22 percent within a year.
“There is still a lot of room for improvement in demand,” said Klaus Steinmaurer, RTR’s managing director for telecommunications and post. “The alternatives are apparently still good enough for many people. But I assume that this will change soon.”
This is also reflected in user behavior: In the first quarter of this year, 2,950 petabytes of data volume – ten percent more than a year earlier – were consumed via fixed and mobile networks. The volume of data transmitted via mobile networks increased by 17 percent to 1,266 petabytes. The data volume via landline networks only increased by just under seven percent to 1,684 petabytes.
Energie AG second largest provider
Around 751,000 of the 1.9 million available connections are in Vienna. There is already capacity for 276,000 connections in Upper Austria and around 266,000 connections in Lower Austria. Burgenland has the fewest households and is therefore at the bottom of the list in Austria with 17,500 available connections.
There are currently a large number of mostly smaller providers. With a 30.3 percent market share, A1 Telekom Austria is the market leader for fiber optic connections, followed by Energie AG Oberösterreich (6.9 percent) and Kabelplus (6.8 percent).
More on the topic
Real estate: fiber optic network is an important purchase criterion
What impact does the availability of fiber optic networks have on homebuyer decisions?
Iterion
With the rising importance of fast internet access, a robust fiber optic network has become a critical consideration for homebuyers. In a world increasingly reliant on digital connectivity, the availability of high-speed internet options significantly influences property values and purchasing decisions. Many potential homeowners prioritize homes equipped with modern telecommunications infrastructure due to the implications for remote work, online education, and general connectivity needs.
As of now, A1 Telekom Austria holds the majority market share for fiber optic connections, a position followed by Energie AG Oberösterreich and Kabelplus. This competitive landscape suggests that while larger firms dominate the market, there is still room for smaller providers to establish themselves, particularly as demand for high-speed connections continues to grow.
As more consumers become aware of the implications of broadband quality in their daily lives, the emphasis on properties with strong fiber optic availability is likely to accelerate, fundamentally changing real estate dynamics and the connectivity landscape in Austria and beyond.
