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
How is the competitive landscape for fiber optic internet providers evolving in Austria?
Iterion
As the consumption of data continues to rise, notably through both fixed and mobile networks, the significance of robust fiber optic connections becomes increasingly apparent. The recent surge in data volume, with a record consumption of 2,950 petabytes in the first quarter of the year—an increase of ten percent compared to the previous year—highlights this trend. Mobile networks play a pivotal role in this growth, with a substantial 17 percent increase in data volume, reaching 1,266 petabytes.
The competitive landscape in Austria’s internet market shows a diverse array of providers. A1 Telekom Austria stands as the market leader with a 30.3 percent share in fiber optic connections, followed by Energie AG (6.9 percent) and Kabelplus (6.8 percent). The geographical distribution reveals that Vienna hosts around 751,000 of the 1.9 million available connections, while regions like Upper and Lower Austria also show considerable capacities.
With fast internet access becoming a crucial factor for prospective homebuyers, the presence of a fiber optic network is increasingly influencing real estate decisions. Buyers are now prioritizing properties equipped with high-speed internet, emphasizing the importance of reliable connectivity in today’s digital age. As the market evolves, the demand for enhanced data services, particularly fiber optic connections, is expected to drive both investment and innovation in the telecommunications sector.
