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Telecommunications in Iceland

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Telecommunications in Iceland is a diversified market. Iceland has a highly developed telecommunications sector with modern infrastructure. Multiple wholesale and retail providers are operated in a competitive market. As of 2024, Iceland's telecom infrastructure is fully digitised and mostly fibre based, with 93% of households having full-fibre availability. Landlines are based on VoIP technology. Mobile telecoms in Iceland adheres to the GSM standard and 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G services are available, as well as a TETRA network for emergency communications. Iceland is connected by four submarine cables to both Europe and North America. Broadcasting is based on DVB-T2 standard for television and FM for radio. There are a few printed newspapers, although most mass media is consumed online. Postal service is provided under universal obligation by the state-owned Iceland Post, but other private postal companies also operate.[1]

History

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The first submarine telegraph cable connection to the British Isles reached Seyðisfjörður in Iceland in 1906 by the Great Northern Telegraph Co. Around the same time telephone communication was opened between Reykjavik and nearby Hafnarfjörður. By 1911 a telephone line connected Reykjavik in the west of Iceland to Seyðisfjörður in the east via Akureyri in the north. A line to the Vestmannaeyjar was constructed a few years later, and by 1929 a line along the south coast of the island connected Reykjavik to Seyðisfjörður via Vík. A teleprinter service was introduced to the island in 1930.[2]

As of 1933, there were 55 telephones for every 1000 inhabitants on the island. The first short-wave radio station was established in Iceland in 1935–36, linking the country up to international radio-telephone services. By January 1936 there were 106 radio-licence holders for every 1000 Icelandic inhabitants.[3] Due to the Icelandic naming system, people were listed by their first name in the telephone directory, and not by their last name (which is usually a patronym).

The first automatic telephone exchanges opened in Reykjavík and Hafnafjörður in 1932, and by 1976 all towns had automatic telephone exchanges.

In 1962, the SCOTICE (to Scotland) and ICECAN (Canada) coaxial submarine telephone cables were put into use, greatly increasing reliability and capacity of international telephone and telegraph traffic as well as opening up telex services for the first time. These new cables rendered the original 1906 telegraph cable obselete and it was taken out of use. They had a capacity of 32 and 24 telephone circuits respectively.

In 1980, the first satellite ground station was opened in Iceland, called Skyggnir. Initially connecting to the Intelsat system, most international telephone and telex traffic now used satellite communications. These new ground stations enabled International Direct Dialling, as well as allowing Iceland to access time-shifted as well as live television broadcast material from abroad, including Iceland's participation in Eurovision in 1986. Iceland's first internet connection was via satellite in 1986 with a 300–1200 bit/s UUCP link to Amsterdam. By 1987 the older coaxial submarine cables SCOTICE and ICECAN were taken out of use after a secondary backup ground station opened near Höfn in eastern Iceland, leaving Iceland solely dependent on satellite communications for international traffic during this period.

The first digital telephone exchange was opened in 1984 and all telephone exchanges were digitalised in the country by 1995. By 1986 all rural shared party lines were upgraded to individual lines.

In 1986, mobile telephony was available for the first time using an NMT 1G (first generation) network, followed by GSM services in 1994 and SMS messaging in 1997, followed by MMS in 2003.

In 1991, a fibre ring was completed that circles the country, roughly following the route of Iceland's ring road (Route 1), passing through most towns and cities. It was constructed by the Icelandic Government and NATO to link radar stations of the Iceland Air Defence System, as well as to enhance domestic telecommunications. It consists of 8 fibres and is still in use as of 2023.

In 1994, the first fibre submarine cable, CANTAT-3, reached Iceland linking it to Canada, Germany, UK and Denmark with a capacity of 7.5 Gbit/s. This greatly increased bandwidth and allowed internet connections to become more widely available.[4]

As bandwidth and reliability demands grew in the 21st century, more fibre submarine cables were launched to Iceland: FARICE in 2003 to the UK and Faroe Islands; DANICE in 2009 to Denmark; Greenland Connect in 2009 to Greenland and Canada and lastly IRIS in 2023 to Ireland. With multiple redundant submarine fibre routes, the satellite ground station Skyggnir was taken out of use in 2005 and CANTAT-3 became defunct in 2009.[5]

In the mid-1990s, the telecom market was opened to competition, breaking the state-owned Iceland Telecom's monopoly, and it was later privatised in 2005.

In 1994, dial-up internet services became available; in 1999 ADSL services launched, followed by VDSL in 2009. Fibre to the home services began rolling out in 2004 and had expanded to 90% of the population by 2022.

In 2010, the NMT (1G) mobile network was shut down. 3G launched in 2006, 4G in 2013 and 5G in 2020.

In 2018, telegram services were discontinued.[6]

Analogue PSTN/POTS and ISDN telephone services (along with dial-up internet) were phased out from 2020–2024, replaced by VoIP services. Copper-based DSL services continue to be available.[7] In April 2024, Míla accounced plans for a complete copper shut down by 2028, including DSL services,[8] fully transitioning Icelandic telecoms to fibre based services.[9] 2G and 3G services are due to be shut down by year end 2025.[10]

Submarine connectivity

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Current internet and telephone services rely on submarine communications cables for external traffic, with a total capacity of 60.2 Tbit/s.

Current

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  • FARICE-1, 2 fiber pairs, with lit[clarification needed] 11 Tbit/s to the United Kingdom and the Faroe Islands laid in 2003
  • DANICE, 4 fiber pairs, with lit 36.4 Tbit/s to Denmark, laid in 2009.
  • Greenland Connect, 2 fiber pairs, with lit 12.8 Tbit/s to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and Greenland, laid in 2009.
  • IRIS, 6 fiber pairs, with 108 Tbit/s initial capacity to Galway, Ireland, laid in 2022 and opened in March 2023.

Former

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  • CANTAT-3, 3 fiber pairs, with capacity of 7.5 Gbit/s to Denmark, Germany, Faroe Islands and Canada (1994–2009)
  • SCOTICE, coaxial cable, to Faroe Islands and from there to Scotland, 32 telephone circuits (1961–1987)
  • ICECAN, coaxial cable, to Greenland and onward to Canada, 24 telephone circuits (1961–1987)
  • Great Northern Telegraph Co., Seyðisfjörður to Faroe Islands and onward to Shetland Islands (UK) (1906–1962)

Services

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Internet

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Data centres

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Internet service providers

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The largest Internet service providers in Iceland:

  1. Síminn (Síminn hf)
  2. Vodafone Iceland (Sýn hf)
  3. Nova (Nova hf)
  4. Hringiðan (Hringiðan ehf / Vortex Inc)
  5. Hringdu (Hringdu ehf)

Internet hosting service

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Iceland has numerous internet hosting services:

Internet exchange points

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Iceland has two Internet exchange points. They are the Reykjavik Internet Exchange (RIX) and Múli-IXP.

Mail

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Print

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Weekly and bi-weekly Newspapers

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English Language Newspapers

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Radio

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Iceland use FM and longwave radio broadcasts. Nationwide networks which cover the whole country include public radio stations Rás 1 and Rás 2 as well as Bylgjan. Other commercial broadcasters mostly operate in the Reykjavík area, and many are available in more populated areas. There are no current plans to implement DAB broadcasting, due to ample bandwidth and cost.[11] All FM stations are also available over internet radio, with some smaller stations being only distributed over internet radio. Longwave radio service is operated by public broadcaster RÚV, however the longwave service will be completely decommissioned in 2024 (with one transmitter site already decommissioned in 2023).

  • Bylgjan (nationwide coverage)
  • K100
  • FM 957
  • X-ið
  • Suðurland FM
  • 101
  • Útvarp Saga
  • KissFM
  • Gullbylgjan
  • Léttbylgjan
  • Íslenska Bylgjan
  • Retro 89.5
  • Flashback 91.9
  • Lindin

Telephone

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Landline

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As of 2022 there are 116,142 landlines in use in Iceland of which 80,106 are VoIP, 34,527 are PSTN and 644 are ISDN. The number of landlines in Iceland has been slowly decreasing since their peak in 2001 at 196,528. Meanwhile, the number of VoIP subscriptions have been rising, from 58,311 in 2016 to 76,122 in 2018. 2018 was the first year that VoIP subscriptions surpassed PSTN subscriptions.[12] Analogue PSTN/POTS and ISDN telephone services were phased out from 2020-2024, replaced by VoIP services.[7]

Year Total (PSTN) Total Change
2010 132,069 152,895 -17.29%
2009 135,969 184,851 -4.48%
2008 140,858 193,512 3.66%
2007 134,622 186,688 -1.00%
2006 131,693 188,575 -2.72%
2005 134,258 193,852 1.77%
2004 133,504 190,478 -1.08%
2003 135,402 192,552 2.42%
2002 132,353 187,999 -4.34%
2001 139,300 196,528 0.10%
2000 141,330 196,336 6.14%
1999 145,769 184,973 6.51%
1998 148,817 173,673 5.01%
1997 151,700 165,390 5.47%
1996 153,551 156,807 5.49%
1995 148,645 148,645 0.23%
1994 148,300 148,300 0.00%

Source: Statistics Iceland (statice.is)

Mobile

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As of 2022, there are 521,722 active mobile subscriptions in use in Iceland. 4G and 5G services are operated by 3 mobile operators, and 2G and 3G are still in operation until 2025. NOVA was the first network to offer 4G in 2013[13] and first to offer 5G in 2020.[14] Síminn and Vodafone launched their 4G service in 2013 and 5G in 2021. 2G and 3G services are due to be shut down in 2025. The NMT (1G) network was shut down in 2010.[15]

Year NMT 450 GSM/UMTS Change
2010 341,077 3.38%
2009 9,783 329,932 1.63%
2008 12,291 324,631 4.12%
2007 15,854 311,785 2.22%
2006 17,827 305,013 7.20%
2005 19,480 284,521 5.35%
2004 21,300 270,072 5.35%
2003 23,302 256,368 8.94%
2002 25,100 235,338 6.38%
2001 26,900 221,231 17.91%
2000 27,268 187,628 39.10%
1999 27,136 134,886 71.68%
1998 26,056 78,569 92.26%
1997 24,880 40,866 73.20%
1996 22,707 23,595 143.20%
1995 21,181 9,702 357.86%
1994 19,726 2,119
1993 17,409
1992 15,164
1991 12,889
1990 10,010
1989 7,893
1988 6,519
1987 5,008
1986 2,106
Voice calls
Year Thousands of
minutes
Change
2010 742,791 4.91%
2009 708,040 3.42%
2008 684,649 32.40%
2007 517,105 14.81%
2006 450,422 9.61%
2005 410,940 2.99%
2004 399,017 12.59%
2003 354,389 3.33%
2002 342,962 19.63%
2001 286,685 16.30%
2000 246,514 24.83%
1999 197,475 39.49%
1998 141,566 0.00%
Text messages (SMS)
Year SMS Change
2010 171,931 17.27%
2009 146.615 2.37%
2008 143.216 5.72%
2007 135.474 9.89%
2006 123.285 -0.34%
2005 123.711 -19.79%
2004 154.236 8.31%
2003 142.403 14.43%
2002 124.451 37.97%
2001 90.201 46.48%
2000 61.581 0.00%
Text messages (MMS)
Year MMS Change
2010 1,355 3.12%
2009 1,314 39.64%
2008 941 -34.43%
2007 1,435 92.62%
2006 745 180.08%
2005 266 0.00%

Source: Statistics Iceland (statice.is)

Telephone numbers

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There are no area codes in Iceland as such, and all ordinary telephone numbers have seven digits. The international dialling code is +354. Numbers of mobile phones tend to begin with either 6, 7 or 8, while landline numbers start with 5 (in Reykjavík) or 4 (outside Reykjavík).

Television

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Television in Iceland began in September 1966.

Television usage in Icelandic homes
Year TV
set
Two or
more TVs
Digital
television
Satellite
television
Cable or
Broadband TV
2010 98% 50% 63% 8% 17%
2009 96% 50% 60% 9% 10%
2008 95% 57% 6%
2007 97% 57% 11%
2006 93% 47% 7% 8%
2005 98% 40% 6% 7%
2004 97%
2003 97% 19%
2002 97%
Related technology in Icelandic homes
Year Flatscreen Home
cinema
VHS
player
DVD
player
Blu-ray
player
2010 54% 31% 64% 82% 2%
2009 48% 30% 67% 82%
2008 37% 33% 74% 83%
2007 26% 30% 80% 79%
2006 78% 81%
2005 90% 74%
2004
2003 54%
2002 91% 40%

References

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  1. ^ "Iceland", The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 2024-07-11, retrieved 2024-07-24
  2. ^ Iceland. Naval Intelligence Division. July 1942. pp. 398–399. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. ^ The Northern Countries In World Economy Denmark Finland Iceland Norway Sweden. Delegations For The Promotion Of Economic Co-operation Between The Northern Countries. 1937. p. 150. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  4. ^ Nafn Skóla. "Saga loftskeyta- og símaþjónustu á Íslandi" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Skyggnir felldur – Myndasafn mbl.is". www.mbl.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  6. ^ "Rúmlega 100 ára saga skeytasendinga á enda". RÚV. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  7. ^ a b "Alþjónustuframlag til Neyðarlínunnar ohf" [General service contribution to [company] Neyðarlínan ohf.]. www.fjarskiptastofa.is. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  8. ^ "Niðurlagning koparheimtaugakerfis Mílu". Míla ehf (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  9. ^ Electronic Communications Office of Iceland, 2024. (Case no. 2022020045) https://www.eftasurv.int/cms/sites/default/files/documents/gopro/Appendix%20B_Results%20of%20national%20consultation%20on%20markets%20M3ab_Public.pdf
  10. ^ Electronic Communications Office of Iceland. "Lokun 2G og 3G farsímaþjónustu". www.fjarskiptastofa.is. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  11. ^ Fjarskiptastofa. "Samráð Póst- og fjarskiptastofnunar um úthlutun tíðna fyrir hljóðvarp – FM og DAB".
  12. ^ "PFS Tölfræðaskýrsla 2018" (PDF). 1 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Nova launches first 4G network in Iceland". telegeography.com. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  14. ^ "5G-væðingin hafin að fullu – Kortunum fjölgaði úr 119 í tólf þúsund á sex mánuðum". Kjarninn (in Icelandic). 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  15. ^ "Icelandic 2G network to shut down by end of 2024, 3G by end of 2025". www.telecompaper.com.
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