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 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
How is the increasing demand for high-speed internet influencing buyer decisions in residential areas?
Iterion
In today’s digital age, the demand for fast and reliable internet connectivity is at an all-time high. As consumers increasingly rely on high-speed internet for various aspects of daily life, such as remote work, entertainment, and communication, the importance of having a robust fiber optic network has become a critical factor in real estate decisions.
Recent data indicates that internet consumption is on the rise, with a significant increase in both mobile and fixed network data usage. In the first quarter of this year alone, data consumption via fixed and mobile networks reached a staggering 2,950 petabytes, marking a ten percent increase from the previous year. Specifically, data transmitted through mobile networks surged by 17 percent to 1,266 petabytes, while fixed networks saw a more modest growth of nearly seven percent, totaling 1,684 petabytes.
This trend is expected to further influence the real estate market, especially in regions with noteworthy developments in internet infrastructure. For instance, in Austria, areas like Vienna, Upper Austria, and Lower Austria are seeing substantial investments in fiber optic connections, with A1 Telekom Austria leading the market with a 30.3 percent share. Following it are Energie AG Oberösterreich and Kabelplus, with shares of 6.9 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively.
With a growing number of potential buyers prioritizing connectivity, the presence of a fiber optic network is becoming a crucial selling point for properties. As prospective homeowners recognize the value of reliable high-speed internet, properties in areas with established fiber optic networks may enjoy increased demand and higher property values.
As the market dynamics continue to evolve, it is anticipated that the demand for fiber optic connectivity will remain a significant consideration in real estate transactions, underlining the importance of such infrastructure in enhancing the livability and marketability of residential properties.
