In 2004, around 8 million consumers used the Internet (according to the Diagnoza Społeczna survey - 33.4 % of the Poles aged 16 and over).

The most common connection to the internet is dial-up networking, but the number of broadband connections is growing rapidly.

The most standard access to internet is DSL; LAN is not quite as popular, and WLAN access is uncommon.

The number of general Internet wireless access points is still limited, but growing (tourist spots, hotels, offices, restaurants, cafes etc.); however, it can't be regarded as a standard in Poland.

There is a general access to the Internet via GPRS (in standard offer of mobile telephone network providers)

According to the survey, carried out by Interactive Advertising Bureau Polska, Poland is one of the biggest internet markets in Europe (see Chart 10.1)

The biggest provider of broadband Internet access is Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. – TP S.A. (the biggest telecom in Poland), which provided service to 927 thousand clients in 2005; cable TV stations come in second (325 thousand clients) and local area networks (290 thousand). Other clients - around 60 thousand - use other sources, such as DSL connections of other providers, radio and satellite connections.

Internet market in Poland is growing dynamically. The annual increase in the market of data transmission, line rental and internet services provision is forecasted at a level of 11 % in the years 2005-2011. At the same time, broadband connection market will increase three times as fast. The value of Internet access related services in 2004 amounted to around PLN 3 billion, and according to the forecasts of PMR Forum it will increase to PLN 4.4 billion in 2008 (the increase of value in this market is presented on Chart 10.2). Already in the recent years Internet services were the most dynamic in the sector of telecom services. In 2008, they will constitute half othe the Internet access market. At the same time, dial-up connections, which are dominating the sector at the moment, are bound to decline. This trend has already been observable in 2005.

Source: PMR Forum Report, aavailable at: http://www.biznespolska.pl/files/reports/
ITTM_No%2010(10)_December%207_monthly_free1.pdf
http://www.pmrpublications.com/

Chart 10.1
The biggest internet markets in Europe

Source: Based on the data from IAB Polska semi-annual report "Polish internet market after 2nd quarter of 2004", published in September 2004

*It is not the number of people already using Internet (this one is smaller, in case of Poland it was 7.45 million at the end of June 2004), but assessment of the market potential

Chart 10.2

Source: PMR report “The telecommunications market in Poland 2005-2008”