Albania - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Albania - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Albania still coping with legacy of poor fixed-line infrastructure

Albania’s broadband market is among the least developed in Europe, though growth has been very strong in recent years. The pandemic acted as a catalyst for growth during 2020 and 2021 as many people were obliged to work or school from home during periods of lockdown, and this necessitated new subscriptions to home broadband services.

For many years, competition in the broadband market was infrastructure based due to the lack of strong regulatory regime for network access. Other impediments to competition have included low PC usage and low international internet bandwidth, resulting in retail broadband tariffs that are among the highest in the region.

Although there are about 170 registered ISPs, not all are active.

While fixed broadband services are mainly available via DSL and cable, fibre access is making inroads into the market, with Albania Online and ALBtelecom offering services based on FttP. The latter company has for some years been engaged in a national network rollout.

Wireless broadband is widely used due to the nation’s relatively underdeveloped fixed-line network, and to the mountainous nature of many areas of the country, which favours wireless solutions.