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

In the first half of 2015 the number of mobile broadband users (via 3G and 4G networks, modems/cards/USB dedicated access) increased since the end of 2014 by more than 51,2 thousand (+ 4,3%) and made about 1,2 mil., most of whom are users of 3G services. These are statistical data on quarterly mobile broadband evolution, published today on the official website of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI).

According to data reported by the three mobile service providers (Orange Moldova, Moldcell and Moldtelecom) in the six months of 2015, the number of 4G mobile broadband users increased by 80% up to 59,3 thousand, the number of 3G broadband users (UMTS/HSPA) - by 9,3% up to 1 million 293 thousand, mobile dedicated access users - by 10,7% reaching 295,5 thousand.

During this timeframe, mobile broadband users generated 18,8 million GB traffic, which is 40% increase over the same period of 2014. On average, a mobile broadband user generated 321 MB monthly traffic, a dedicated mobile Internet user - 9,2 GB.

The increase in the number of mobile broadband users entailed an increase of broadband penetration rate per 100 population up to 34,9%, 1,5% higher than at the end of 2014.

During the reporting period, the total revenues from mobile broadband services increased over the first half of 2014 by 43,4 million lei (+18.6%) up to 276,4 million lei. The revenues of Moldcell increased by 30,5% and equaled 67,6 million lei, the ones of Orange Moldova - by 16,3% up to 162 million lei and those of Moldtelecom - by 11,7% up to 46,8 million lei. The average monthly revenue (ARPU) per user of mobile broadband constituted 27 lei, per user of dedicated mobile Internet - 96,6 lei.

According to ANRCETI estimations, in the first half of 2015, the market shares of the three mobile broadband providers, according to turnover, were as follows: Orange Moldova – 58,6%, Moldcell – 24,4% and Moldtelecom – 17%.

More information about the evolution of mobile broadband market in the first half of 2015 are available on ANRCETI web page: www.anrceti.md, Statistical Data Section.

September 2, 2015