Telecommunications in Lithuania Overview

Lithuania has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, with a high penetration rate of mobile and fixed-line services.

The country has a population of around 2.8 million people, with a mobile phone penetration rate of over 140% as of 2020.

Mobile network operators in Lithuania include Tele2, Tele2's subsidiary Tele2 Lithuania, and TEO LT, which offers a range of services including voice, data, and SMS.

The country's fixed-line infrastructure is also well-established, with a high-speed internet penetration rate of over 70% as of 2020.

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Lithuania's broadband services have made significant strides in recent years. The country boasts an impressive 52% uptake of broadband services with speeds of at least 100 Mbps, marginally below the EU average.

A major factor contributing to this growth is the extensive coverage of Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) and Fiber to the Premises (FTTP), which stands at 78%. This is a notable achievement, surpassing the EU averages of 73% and 56%, respectively.

The government has also invested heavily in broadband infrastructure, with the "Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure" project facilitating the installation of 1,235 kilometers of fiber-optic lines.

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In Lithuania, the uptake of broadband services with speeds of at least 100 Mbps was 52% in 2022, marginally below the European Union average of 55%.

The country has made significant progress in expanding its fixed broadband infrastructure, with coverage of Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) and Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) reaching 78%.

Lithuania's "Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure" project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), facilitated the installation of 1,235 kilometers of fiber-optic lines and initiated the construction of telecommunication towers.

This project has been instrumental in bridging the digital divide in rural areas.

Additionally, the "Development of gigabit broadband infrastructure for digitally sensitive users" project, supported by EUR 49 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), aims to extend connectivity to 5,000 users across private companies, non-governmental and governmental organizations, municipalities, and municipal companies.

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Lithuania's mobile broadband adoption has grown significantly, reaching 85% in 2021, just below the EU average of 87%. This growth is a testament to the country's increasing demand for fast and reliable internet connectivity.

The expansion of 5G coverage in Lithuania has been rapid, with 0% coverage in 2020 increasing to 33% in 2021 and then to 90% in 2022, surpassing the EU average of 81%. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the short timeframe.

You can easily find prepaid SIM cards in most supermarkets, convenience stores, and operator shops, offering flexibility and no long-term contract commitment. This makes it easy for tourists or short-term visitors to get connected.

Lithuania has several mobile network operators, including Telia, Tele2, and Bitė Lietuva, which offer a wide range of prepaid and contract plans to suit different budgets and communication needs.

In Lithuania, you'll find a variety of radio and television options to suit your needs. Radio networks operated by the public broadcaster numbered three in 2007, with many privately owned commercial broadcasters also on the air.

You can tune into 1.9 million radios in Lithuania, a number that was reported in 1997. Many of these radios are part of repeater stations that broadcast in various regions throughout the country.

If you're looking for TV options, Lithuania has a public broadcaster operating three channels, including a satellite channel introduced in 2014. You can also access national and regional channels through privately owned commercial TV broadcasters, as well as local TV stations.

In total, there were 1.7 million televisions in Lithuania in 1997. Today, you can enjoy multi-channel cable and satellite TV services, making it easy to catch your favorite shows or stay up-to-date with the news.

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Lithuania's mobile broadband adoption has been impressive, growing from 74% in 2018 to 85% in 2021, and even surpassing the EU average in 2022 with 90% coverage.

The country's 5G expansion has been particularly rapid, with coverage increasing from 0% in 2020 to 90% in 2022, outpacing the EU average.

You can choose from several mobile network operators, including Telia, Tele2, and Bitė Lietuva, which all offer a range of prepaid and contract plans to suit your needs.

Prepaid plans are a great option if you want flexibility, and you can top up your balance as needed. Some popular prepaid plan operators include Pildyk, Ežys, and Labas.

The country calling code for Lithuania is 370, making it easy to stay in touch with friends and family abroad.

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Lithuania has several mobile network operators, including Telia, Tele2, and Bitė Lietuva, which offer a wide range of prepaid and contract plans to suit different budgets and communication needs.

You can easily find prepaid SIM cards in most supermarkets, convenience stores, and operator shops. This makes it convenient for tourists and locals alike to stay connected while traveling or at home.

Prepaid plans are ideal for those who want flexibility and don't want to commit to a long-term contract. You can top up your balance as needed with operators like Pildyk, Ežys, and Labas.

Contract plans, on the other hand, often come with better rates for calls, data, and international services, but may require a contract commitment.

Setting up services for telephony and mobile is relatively straightforward. You'll need a valid ID, such as a passport or residence permit.

To get started, you'll need to provide proof of your identity. This can be in the form of a passport or residence permit.

You'll also need to have a bank account for contract or monthly payment plans. This is essential for setting up services.

To set up home internet services, you'll need to have an address in Lithuania. This is a requirement for most service providers.

To summarize, here's a list of the required documents and information:

Lithuania's government is actively supporting the development of digital connectivity networks in rural areas, using funds like ERDF and RRF to build high-capacity networks in remote regions.

The country's recovery and resilience plan has invested EUR 73 million in digital connectivity, aiming to further develop the rollout of very high-capacity networks, including 5G and fibre infrastructure in rural and remote areas.

An investment project called High-speed communication infrastructure aims to connect 5,000 locations to gigabit speeds in areas where commercial services wouldn't be provided.

This project plans to benefit 14,909 households and 1,348 companies, and enable 138 electronic communications service providers to use the created infrastructure.

For the latest data on digital connectivity coverage, subscriptions, and penetrations, you can check the Digital Decade country reports.

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Lithuania's Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for state policy in digital connectivity development. They act as the national Broadband Competence Office.

The State Digital Solutions Agency under the Ministry of Transport and Communications participates in shaping state policy in the development of information and communications technologies in Lithuania. They coordinate the implementation of these policies.

Public Enterprise Plačiajuostis Internetas is a non-profit entity owned by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, responsible for implementing the national digital connectivity strategy. They operate a public backhaul wholesale fibre network, providing equal access to retail operators.

The Communications Regulatory Authority is the independent national regulatory institution that monitors and regulates Lithuania's digital connectivity markets. They adopt rules for electronic communications infrastructure installation, maintenance, and use.

The Communications Regulatory Authority assumes the functions of a single information point and national dispute settlement body. They developed an advanced tool for end-users to measure internet access speeds.

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Here are the key authorities involved in regulating telecommunications in Lithuania:

The Communications Regulatory Authority has also taken measures to combat fake text messages sent by fraudsters. They have established a procedure for identifying fake SMS and require mobile operators to detect and block such messages.

You can contact the national Broadband Competence Office (BCO Lithuania) at the following address: Gedimino av. 17, 01505 Vilnius, Lithuania. They can also be reached via email or phone at +370 5 239 3870.

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The state supports the development of digital connectivity networks in rural areas using various funds, making these areas more attractive for private investors.

Lithuania's recovery and resilience plan is investing EUR 73 million in connectivity to further develop the rollout of very high-capacity networks, including 5G and fibre infrastructure in rural and remote areas.

An investment project aims to connect 5,000 locations to gigabit speeds in areas where these services wouldn't be provided on a commercial basis.

The project plans to provide ultra-fast digital connectivity to 14,909 households, 1,348 companies, and enable 138 electronic communications service providers to use the infrastructure created during the project.

For the latest data on digital connectivity coverage, subscriptions, and penetrations, you can check the Digital Decade country reports.

Lithuania's focus on digital connectivity is evident in its efforts to develop high-speed communication infrastructure, aiming to bring gigabit speeds to rural areas.

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