View source for Telecommunications in Lithuania

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

'''Telecommunications in Lithuania''' include internet, radio, television, and telephony.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (RRT) functions as the [[independent regulator]] for the country's [[electronic communications]] industry. Established under the Law on Telecommunications and the provisions with [[European Union]] [[Directive (European Union)|Directives]], its role is to facilitate a competitive environment within the industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About RRT |url=https://www.rrt.lt/en/about-rrt/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Lietuvos Respublikos Ryšių reguliavimo tarnyba |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[European Commission]]’s 2022 [[Digital Economy and Society Index]] (DESI) report evaluates Lithuania's digital progress among 27 [[European Union|EU]] nations. Ranking 23rd in overall connectivity, Lithuania stands out with Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) and [[Fiber-to-the-premises|Fiber-to-the-Premises]] (FTTP) coverage. In [[human capital]], Lithuania ranks 20th, with a strength in digital skills. Notably, in the integration of digital technologies, Lithuania performs 13th, with advancements in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and [[e-commerce]]. Digital public services earn the 10th rank, with aspirations for 100% [[online]] key [[public service]]s by 2026. Additionally, the country has focused on enhancing broadband infrastructure, particularly in less urban areas. Efforts in [[cybersecurity]] and the development of [[smart city]] solutions are also highlighted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lithuania in the Digital Economy and Society Index {{!}} Shaping Europe's digital future |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/desi-lithuania |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2022 Lithuania |url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/88694 |website=European Commission}}</ref>

== Internet and digital progress ==

=== Users and skills ===
In 2022, [[internet usage]] among individuals in Lithuania reached 87%, just below the EU average of 89%. The country has made progress in enhancing digital skills but still encounters hurdles in achieving the Digital Decade targets set for 2030. As of 2022, 49% of the population had attained at least basic digital skills, slightly under the EU average of 54%, and the proportion of individuals with above-basic digital skills was 23%, marginally lower than the EU benchmark of 26%.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Digital Decade Country Report 2023 - Lithuania |url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/98619 |website=European Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-27 |title=Country reports - Digital Decade report 2023 {{!}} Shaping Europe's digital future |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/country-reports-digital-decade-report-2023 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

=== Fixed broadband ===
In Lithuania, the uptake of [[broadband]] services with speeds of at least 100 Mbps was 52% in 2022, marginally below the European Union (EU) average of 55%. Coverage of Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) and [[Fiber to the Premises]] (FTTP) was at 78%, surpassing the EU averages of 73% and 56%, respectively. The "Development of Next Generation Access Infrastructure" project, funded by the [[European Regional Development Fund]] (ERDF) for the period 2018–2023, facilitated the installation of 1,235 kilometers of [[fiber-optic]] lines and initiated the construction of telecommunication towers. Additionally, as part of the revised National Broadband Plan, the "Development of gigabit broadband infrastructure for digitally sensitive users" project, supported by EUR 49 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), is designed to extend connectivity to 5,000 users across private companies, non-governmental and governmental organizations, municipalities, and municipal companies.<ref name=":02" />

=== Mobile broadband ===
Lithuania's adoption of [[mobile broadband]] demonstrated growth, increasing from 74% in 2018 to 85% in 2021, marginally below the EU average of 87%. The expansion of [[5G]] coverage in the country was notably rapid, commencing from 0% in 2020 to 33% in 2021, and subsequently increasing to 90% in 2022, thereby surpassing the EU average of 81%. Moreover, Lithuania's advancement in the allocation of 5G spectrum experienced a marked rise, advancing from 5% in 2021 to 47% in 2023, catching up to the EU average of 68%.<ref name=":02" />

=== Ultra-fast broadband goals ===
The [[European Commission]]'s "Broadband in Lithuania" report from September 2022 outlines Lithuania's plan, initiated in October 2021, to implement [[Ultra-Fast Broadband|ultra-fast broadband]]. This plan aims to provide [[Internet-Speed|internet speeds]] of at least 100 Mbit/s (megabits per second) to households and public institutions in both [[Urban area|urban]] and [[rural area]]s by 2027. Such speeds are suitable for various online activities. Aligned with the Lithuanian Information Society Development Programme and the Digital Agenda of the [[Republic of Lithuania]], the initiative is designed for nationwide broadband infrastructure expansion.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-18 |title=Broadband in Lithuania {{!}} Shaping Europe's digital future |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/broadband-lithuania |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

In terms of [[infrastructure]], Lithuania has committed €75 million to construct [[communication tower]]s and install [[fiber optic]] lines, striving for 95% of households to have access to these high-speed Internet services by 2025. Additionally, the [[Ministry of Transport and Communications (Lithuania)|Ministry of Transport and Communications]] is guiding the country's [[5G]] advancements. Guidelines established in 2020 focus on rolling out next-generation mobile networks, including uninterrupted 5G services along major transport routes by 2025.<ref name=":0" />

=== Digital public services ===
In 2022, Lithuania's usage of [[e-government]] services by internet users reached 83%, exceeding the EU average of 74%. The nation's digital public services for citizens and businesses scored 84 and 94 out of 100, respectively, surpassing the EU averages of 77 and 84. Mobile friendliness in Lithuania was rated at 97 out of 100. Additionally, Lithuania's access to [[e-health]] records scored 92 out of 100, exceeding the EU average of 72. The country is implementing a digital public and administrative services reform with a budget of EUR 115 million, aiming for completion by 2026. This includes modernizing the State Information Resources Interoperability Platform (Electronic Government Gateway).<ref name=":02" />

== Radio and television ==
{{Update|part=section|date=March 2024}}

=== Radio ===
{{See also|List of radio stations in Lithuania}}
*Three radio networks operated by the [[Public broadcasting|public broadcaster]] (2007).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013">[https://web.archive.org/web/20260116085353/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/ "Communications"], Lithuania, ''World Factbook'', U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 6 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.</ref> 
* Many privately owned commercial broadcasters, many with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country (2007).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
* Radios: 1.9 million (1997).{{Update after|2013|12|26}}

=== Television ===
{{See also|Television in Lithuania}}

*Three channels operated by the public broadcaster, with the third, a satellite channel, introduced in 2014.<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" /> 
* Various privately owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels (2007).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
* Many privately owned local TV stations (2007).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
* Multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available (2007).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
* Televisions: 1.7 million (1997).{{Update after|2013|12|26}}

== Telephony ==
{{See also|Telephone numbers in Lithuania}}{{Update|part=section|date=March 2024}}
* Main lines: 667,300 lines in use (2012), 89th in the world;<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" /> 819,147 lines (2004).
* Mobile cellular: 5 million lines, 110th in the world (2012).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
* Telephone system: adequate, but is being modernised to provide an improved international capability and better residential access (2010).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
** Domestic: national fibre-optic cable interurban trunk system; rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of fixed-line connections; mobile-cellular teledensity stands at about 140 per 100 persons (2010).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
** International: major international connections to [[Denmark]], Sweden, and [[Norway]] by [[submarine communications cable|submarine cable]] for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to [[Latvia]] and [[Poland]] (2010).<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />
* [[List of country calling codes|Country calling code]]: 370.<ref name="CIAWFB-Lithuania-2013" />

== Internet censorship ==
There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors e-mail or Internet [[chat rooms]] without appropriate legal authority. Individuals and groups generally engage in the free expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail, but authorities prosecute people for openly posting material on the Internet that authorities considered to be [[hate speech|inciting hatred]].<ref name="USDOS-CRHRP-Lithuania-2012">[https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204308 "Lithuania"], ''Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012'', Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 22 March 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.</ref>

The constitution provides for [[freedom of speech]] and [[freedom of the press|press]], and the government generally respects these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote these freedoms. However, the constitutional definition of freedom of expression does not protect certain acts, such as incitement to national, racial, religious, or social hatred, violence and discrimination, or slander, and disinformation. It is a crime to deny or "grossly trivialise" Soviet or Nazi German crimes against Lithuania or its citizens, or to deny genocide, [[crimes against humanity]], or [[war crimes]]. In the first 11 months of 2012 authorities initiated investigations into 259 allegations of incitement of hatred and six of incitement of discrimination, most of them over the Internet. Authorities forwarded 69 of those allegations to the courts for trial, closed 68, and suspended 113 for lack of evidence; the others remained under investigation. Most allegations of incitement of hatred involved racist or [[anti-Semitic]] expression, or hostility based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or nationality.<ref name="USDOS-CRHRP-Lithuania-2012" />

It is a crime to disseminate information that is both untrue and damaging to an individual's honour and dignity. [[Libel]] is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to one year, or up to two years for libellous material disseminated through the mass media. While it is illegal to publish material "detrimental to minors’ bodies" or thought processes, information promoting the sexual abuse and harassment of minors, promoting sexual relations among minors, or "sexual relations", the law is not often invoked and there are no indications that it adversely affects freedom of the media.<ref name="USDOS-CRHRP-Lithuania-2012" />

The constitution prohibits arbitrary interference in an individual's personal correspondence or private and family life, but there were reports that the government did not respect these prohibitions in practice. The law requires authorities to obtain judicial authorisation before searching an individual's premises and prohibits the indiscriminate monitoring by government or other parties of citizens’ correspondence or communications. However, domestic human rights groups allege that the government does not properly enforce the law.<ref name="USDOS-CRHRP-Lithuania-2012" />

==See also==

* [[Media of Lithuania]]
* [[LITNET]], an academic and research network in Lithuania
* [[Ministry of Transport and Communications (Lithuania)]]
* '''''<small>{{portal-inline|Lithuania}}</small>'''''

==References==
* {{CIA World Factbook}}
* {{US DOS}}
{{reflist |30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.domreg.lt/ .lt domain registrar], Kaunas University of Technology.

{{Clear}}
{{Telecommunications in Europe}}
{{Telecommunications}}
{{Internet censorship by country}}
{{Lithuania topics}}

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[[Category:Telecommunications in Lithuania| ]]
[[Category:Internet censorship by country|Lithuania]]
[[Category:Internet in Lithuania]]