National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology of the Republic of Moldova

In the first quarter of 2014, the number of mobile users increased by 280,9 thousand or 6,7% over the same period of last year and exceeded 4 million 492 thousand, while the penetration rate of these services per one hundred inhabitants increased by 8,0% and reached approximately 126,3%, according to the data of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) on the development of the mobile telephony market in the first quarter of 2014.

The penetration rate show an average of 126,3 SIM cards per one hundred population, which means that some users have two or more SIM cards. As shown by the data provided to ANRCETI by the three mobile providers (JSC "Orange Moldova", JSC "Moldcell" and JSC "Moldtelecom"), as of April 1, 2014, the number of active mobile users was about 3 million 711 thousand, passive users (who have not used or paid for any mobile service in the last three months) was 781, 3 thousand.

During the timeframe under report, JSC “Orange Moldova” connected to its network the largest number of new users - more than 150,4 thousand. The client base of JSC "Moldcell" increased over the same period last year, by over 80,4 thousand (+5,1%), the one of JSC "Moldtelecom" which offers mobile services under the brand "Unite" – by 50,1 thousand (+17,1%).

The total volume of voice traffic in mobile networks increased over the first quarter of last year by 16,7% and reached about 1,5 billion minutes, while the average monthly traffic per user grew to 203 minutes (10,2%).

Statistical data also show that the total sales volume by the three providers decreased by 0,5% compared to the first qtr., to 795,9 million lei. The revenues of JSC “Orange Moldova” dropped by over 2%, while JSC „Moldcell” and JSC “Moldtelecom” increased the volumes of sales by 3,6% and 2,3% accordingly. Following this development, the average revenue per mobile user (ARPU) dropped by 7,5% and made about 59,5 lei. The ARPU of JSC "Orange Moldova" was 74,3 lei, of JSC "Moldcell" – 42,1 lei, JSC "Moldtelecom" – 32 lei.

In the first quarter, the market shares of the three mobile providers did not undergo significant changes. The largest market share based on turnover – 70,3% – was owned by JSC "Orange Moldova". JSC "Moldcell" and JSC "Moldtelecom" had market shares estimated at 25,7% and 4% accordingly.

More information on mobile market evolution in the first qtr. of 2014 are available on www.anrceti.md, section Statistical Data.

June 2, 2014