The Agency for Communications Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia publishes the results of an analysis of the situation on the wholesale and retail broadband access market, based on data collected for the period December 2024. The results show the situation at the wholesale level, where operators (access seekers) lease access to electronic communications networks, and at the retail level, where services are provided to end-users.The results show the situation at the wholesale level, where operators (access seekers) lease access to electronic communications networks, and at the retail level, where services are provided to end-users.The results show the situation at the retail level, where operators (access seekers) lease access to electronic communications networks. The analysis aims to provide a transparent view of price developments, access structure, technological trends and competitive conditions and the correlation between the two levels of the market.
The wholesale market analysis covers wholesale fixed local access services (relevant market 1) and wholesale fixed central access for mass market products (relevant market 3b/2014).
During the period under review, eight providers provided services in market 1 and nine providers provided services in market 3b. Regulated access to Telekom Slovenije's network continues to dominate both wholesale markets. In Market 1, it accounted for 73.6% of all wholesale connections, followed by unbundled access to publicly co-financed open broadband networks (OBNOs) with 25.6%, while the share of commercial access was negligible. In Market 3b, regulated access accounted for 57.9% of all connections, bitstream access to publicly co-financed NGA networks accounted for 18.7%, while the share of commercial access increased to 23.4%.
In both markets, the shift to fibre-based access continues. In Market 1, the role of virtual unbundled access (VULA) to fibre networks is increasing, while in Market 3b, bitstream access over fibre networks already accounts for more than four-fifths of all connections. Average wholesale prices and service amounts have increased again compared to the previous year, and the trend of increasing prices and amounts has been present in both markets for several consecutive years.
The retail market analysis is based on data received from retail operators providing electronic communications broadband access services and registered as active operators in the Agency's official register as of December 2024. Broadband connections that were active for a full month during the observation period were included in the analysis.
The average amount paid by users for the full service package on the connection was €53.37 incl. VAT, down from €53.37 the previous year. While the average prices of basic and bundled services increased slightly, the overall average amount decreased due to discounts and benefits.
The quadruple-play (internet, TV, telephony and mobile services) remained the most frequently chosen combination of services by end-users on their connections during the period under review, with its share increasing again after previous reductions. The share of fibre connections continues to increase, reaching 58.5%, while the shares of copper and cable technologies are decreasing.
According to the Agency's findings, the trend towards an increase in the number of settlements with an adequate level of presence of different active operators in the retail broadband access market (at least three operators) and a decrease in the number of settlements with an active offer of one or two operators continues. Furthermore, the positive trend in the diversity of retail competition by settlement continues, with year-on-year improvements in this indicator.
In settlements where at least three operators were present in the retail broadband market during the observation period (70% of all settlements), 96.06% of the total population was permanently registered in December 2024, which is also slightly higher than a year earlier.
The analysis confirms that the situation in the wholesale and retail broadband access markets is closely linked. The further development of fibre networks, the structure of wholesale access and the regulatory framework have a significant impact on supply, prices and competition in the retail market. The Agency will continue to monitor developments at both levels of the market with a view to ensuring effective competition and the long-term development of broadband networks in the Republic of Slovenia.
