Only 317,000 of these connections are currently activated – and therefore almost 17 percent of the potential. According to the RTR Internet Monitor, 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 almost 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 fiber internet have on real estate property value?
Iterion
As we see a growing reliance on high-speed internet, particularly fiber optic connections, the real estate market is increasingly prioritizing properties with robust internet infrastructure. In many areas, fast internet access is becoming a critical factor influencing purchasing decisions among potential buyers.
Currently, A1 Telekom Austria remains the dominant player in the fiber optic market, boasting a substantial market share. However, emerging providers like Energie AG and Kabelplus are also gaining traction, reflecting a competitive landscape aimed at enhancing connectivity options for consumers.
Meanwhile, data consumption is on the rise, with a significant uptick in both fixed and mobile network usage. This trend emphasizes the need for continued investment in infrastructure to meet the demands of an increasingly digital society, where dependable internet access is not just a luxury but a necessity.
For homeowners and investors alike, understanding the telecommunications landscape could be key to making informed decisions in a market where internet connectivity is tantamount to property value and desirability.
