CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, March 19 /PRNewswire/ --

Revenue from 3G-based mobile services will grow rapidly over the next four years in Hungary and will overtake 2.5G service revenue by 2012 as more subscribers migrate to broadband mobile data services, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network (www.lightreading.com).

Communications Markets in Hungary offers a precise, incisive profile of the country's converged telecommunications, media, and technology sectors based on proprietary data from our research in the Hungarian market. This 26-page report provides detailed competitive analysis of the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services, and monitors the introduction and spread of new technologies such as WiMaX, IPTV, and VoIP. This executive study provides a holistic view of the Hungarian communications market by analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities, and assessing upcoming risks factors. Download an excerpt of this new report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18sc=PR031909_CIRH

The telecom market in Hungary generated US$5.2 billion in service revenue in 2008 and will be worth US$5.6 billion by 2013, notes Sylwia Boguszewska, analyst at Pyramid Research and co-author of the report. The competition for 3G and mobile broadband is intensifying among the three mobile operators, T-Mobile, Pannon, and Vodafone, she says. 3G accounts will increase to 62.1 percent of subscriptions by 2013 from its current 9.8 percent penetration. Although 2G still dominates the Hungarian market today, it is expected to disappear by 2013 - with 4G to enter the market in 2010 and take around 2.0 percent of subscriptions by 2013.

The increase in 3G availability will result in higher revenues from mobile data services, Boguszewska says. Mobile data's share of the total revenue will double, increasing from 11.4 percent in 2008 to 20.9 percent in 2013 due to the growing share of broadband, as well as a significant increase in data ARPS, she explains. By 2013 non-messaging services, such as ringtones, games, music, and data cards, will reach 50 percent of all mobile data revenue, up from 25 percent in 2008, she adds.

Hungary's operators will face increasing competition in light of consolidation, broadband regulation, and new licensing. At least two new mobile telephone service providers may appear in the Hungarian market, with five operators acquiring additional frequencies, due to the National Communications Authority of Hungary (NHH) announcement of tenders for a fourth GSM-UMTS license, says Boguszewska. Pyramid anticipates that incumbent operator Magyar Telekom's share of the fixed market will decrease from 62 percent in 2007 to 40 percent in 2013 due to increased competition and the migration to mobile and broadband. However, given its strategic position as the only integrated operator, Magyar Telekom will remain the dominant player in this market, says Boguszewska.

Communications Markets in Hungary is part of Pyramid Research's Europe Country Intelligence Report Series. Pyramid Research's premium Country Intelligence Reports are the industry's best available analysis on market trends, regulatory environments, and competitive dynamics for 60 countries worldwide.

Download an excerpt of this new report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18sc=PR031909_CIRH

Communications Markets in Hungary is priced at US$990 and can be purchased online here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/CIRHUNGARY.htm?sc=PR031909_CIRH or through Dave Williams via email at dave.williams@pyr.com or telephone at +1-858-485-8870.

About Pyramid Research

Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com) offers practical solutions to the complex demands our clients face in the telecommunications, media, and technology industries. Our analysis is uniquely positioned at the intersection of emerging markets, emerging technologies, and emerging business models, powered by the bottom-up methodology of our market forecasts for over 100 countries - a distinction that has remained unmatched for more than 25 years. As the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network, Pyramid Research works with Heavy Reading, providing the communications industry's most comprehensive market data, trusted research, and insightful technology analysis.

About Light Reading

Founded in 2000, Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) is the leading online media, research, and focused event company serving the US$3 trillion worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading's research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20 targeted communications events including TelcoTV, Ethernet Expo New York and Ethernet Expo London, The Tower Summit @ CTIA, and Optical Expo, as well as focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and operates as a unit of TechWeb.

About TechWeb

TechWeb (http://techweb.com/aboutus), the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today, more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events, Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat, and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, and Wall Street Technology magazines. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services including next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than US$2.5 billion.

*13.3 million business decision-makers: based on number of monthly connections

About United Business Media Limited

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists - with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

Press contact: Jennifer Baker +1-617-871-1910 jbaker@pyr.com

Jennifer Baker, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com