This article is more than 1 year old

Euro phone, broadband giants are the 1% – yes, single-digit growth. Wow

If they can make it to 2016

After six years in the dark, Europe’s telecoms providers see a light at the end of the tunnel. According to a new report commissioned by industry body ETNO, the sector should return to growth in 2016.

The association's Annual Economic Report claims telecoms services revenues were 4 per cent lower in 2013 than the previous year at €252.8bn, but that rate of decline is expected to slow with 2014 revenues projected to be down by just 1.8 per cent, year on year.

The projected growth for 2016, however, is small – just 1 per cent.

Other findings include the news that by the end of 2014, fixed broadband subscriptions will outnumber traditional circuit-switched fixed lines for the first time. ETNO says this is due to the take up of voice-over-IP – in other words, technology hurting traditional calling services are keeping the operators going.

According to the study, the EU is lagging behind the US in terms of investment. And operators still want changes to the rules and regulations to make their lives easier when it comes to rolling out or improving networks.

ETNO chairman Luigi Gambardella said: "The time for reform is now. Data show that a new phase of growth is in sight. We need to encourage this expectation with a new regulatory and policy framework. More investment will mean better networks and better services for European citizens and businesses.” ®

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