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

Statistical data about the evolution of the market for Internet access at fixed locations for the first half of 2016 published by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) show that in this timeframe the share of subscribers to high speed Internet services reached nearly 53 percent. Most of them are connected to the Internet by means of fiber optic technologies, which provide high-speed access and data transfer.

According to the data presented to ANRCETI by 80 active providers of fixed Internet access services, in the timeframe January – June 2016 the number of subscribers connected to the Internet by optical fiber (FTTB - Fiber to the premises) increased over 2015 by more than 12 thousand (+4,2%) and reached 301,3 thousand. Meanwhile, the number of subscribers connected to the Internet by xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line) dropped by 2,1 thousand (-1,1%) and resulted in 201,3 thousand, those connected via coaxial cable – by 1,9 thousand (-5%) and made 37,4 thousand. At the end of June 2016, the share of subscribers accessing the Internet via optical fiber was 55,6%, via xDSL – 37,1%, via coaxial cable – 6,9%, other technologies – 0,4%.

The same data show that in six months of 2016, the total number of subscribers to fixed Internet access services increased since the end of 2015, by 7,8 thousand (+1,5%) and reached about 542 thousand, while the penetration rate per 100 inhabitants raised to 15.3%.

Most subscribers to fixed Internet access services – 47% of their total number – have access and data transfer speeds between 30 and 100 Mbps, 5,8% – up to 100 Mbps. Meanwhile, 35,4% of subscribers have internet access speeds between 10 and 30 Mbps, 7,3% – speeds of 2-10 Mbps and 4,5% – up to 2Mbps. ANRCETI specifies that speeds of 30-100 Mbps are qualified as high speeds of Internet access and browsing.

Within the same timeframe, the total volume of sales of fixed Internet access services increased over the first half of 2015 by 4,7% and reached 541,3 mil. lei. The biggest volumes of sales were realized by Moldtelecom, Starnet Solutions and Sun Communications. The sales of Moldtelecom increased 5,5% up to 346,7 mil. lei, those of Sun Communications increased by 22,3% to a total of over 28,4 mil. lei, the sales of Starnet Solutions increased by 4,5% up to 114,3 mil. lei. The volume of sales realized by the other 77 providers grew by 13,6% to a total of 51,8 mil. lei. As a result, the average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) for these services slightly increased – by 0,2% and totaled 167,6 lei.

ANRCETI experts explain the increase in the volume of sales of fixed Internet access services by the growing number of subscribers and the more frequent use of bundled offers of several electronic communications services, including fixed Internet connections.

In the first half of 2016, the market shares of the largest providers of fixed Internet access services, based on turnover, did not change significantly. The market shares of companies Moldtelecom and Starnet Solutions were 64,1% and 21,1%, the share of Sun Communications was 5,2%, while the combined shares of 77 other suppliers – 9,6%.

Other data on the evolution of the market for Internet access at fixed locations in the first half of 2016 are available on ANRCETI Web page: www.anrceti.md, Statistical Data section.

September 5, 2016