First fall in mobile phone subscriptions for four years

THE first decline in mobile subscriptions in four years has been recorded by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

At the end of March 2009 there were 4.9 million mobile subscriptions in Ireland, down by 74,000 or 2.4% since the last quarter. The drop is largely as a result of immigrants returning home.

In addition, mobile revenues decreased by over 10% during the first quarter and have fallen by 9.4% over the year.

But consumer demand for broadband grew by 6% in the first four months of the year, according to the quarterly report.

Broadband subscriptions now stand at 1.27 million, which represents an increase of 28.2% on the same period in 2008.

But the recession is biting and revenue across all communications sectors, from internet to mobile to landlines, declined in the first four months of this year, the quarterly report said.

The report shows that total internet subscriptions increased to 1.47 million, which represents a growth rate of 2.4% compared to the previous quarter and 14.9% when compared to the same quarter in 2008.

Yesterday, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said the Economist Intelligence Unit report published this week had shown Ireland in the top 20 countries internationally for e-readiness.

“Major progress is being made in connectivity and broadband infrastructure, and today’s figures clearly reflect this,” the minister said.

“It is in our economic interest to have a fast, functioning broadband network that serves the needs of all our citizens.

“Government support coupled with competition in the marketplace has meant that year on year, we are steadily progressing.

“We can and will keep this momentum going,” the minister added.

While the number of broadband subscribers continues to rise, the data shows the first decline in mobile subscriptions in four years.

Mobile penetration remains high at 119.4%, the report states.

Overall market revenues continued to decline in the quarter by 6.3% to almost €1.04 billion. Fixed-line revenues retain the dominant share at 50.9%, followed by mobile (44.6%) and broadcasting (4.5%).