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

2010 was the third consecutive year when the fixed telephony market was subject to the tendency of diminishing in value against the background of increasing number of subscribers to these services. The number of subscribers increased from 2009 by 22,42 thousand (1.97%) and reached one million 161 thousand. The volume of sales of fixed telephony services decreased by 0.66% and recorded 1 billion 915 million lei. These are the data available with the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI).

In 2008 the sales on this market decresed by 5,8%, in 2009 – by 12,7%. The Agency account for this decrease by the intensifying process of fixed-to-mobile and IP telephony substitution and the effects of market marturity.

The insignificant decrease in the value of this market occurred exclusively due to the drop in the sales recorded by alternative fixed operators. Their turnover was 22,18 million lei, reduced compared to 2009 by 14,45 million lei (39,4%). The revenues of JSC Moldtelecom, however, generated by fixed telephone services increased by about 2 million lei (0,09%) and totaled 1 billion 893 million lei. As a result of this evolution, the average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) increased slightly (by 0,67%) in comparison with 2009 and totaled 143,52 lei.

According to the Agency data, due to the fact that in 2010 the number of fixed telephone subscribers raised to 1 million 161 thousand, the penetration rate per 100 inhabitants increased by 0.69 percentage points and reached 32,61%.

Of the 22,42 thousand new subscribers, registered in 2010, 13,42 thousand were connected to JSC „Moldtelecom” network, and 9 thousand – to the networks of alternative fixed operators. As per December 31, 2010, JSC „Moldtelecom” had 1 million 123,7 thousand subscribers, alternative operators – 37,4 thousand. By the number of subscribers, JSC „Moldtelecom” market share, at that date, was 96,78%. The other 3,22% was shared between 16 alternative providers, among them are companies Arax-Impex and Sun Communications, with 0,97% and 0,77% market shares.

More details on the dynamics of fixed market development in 2010 are available on the Agency Web page, under „Statistical Data”.

Under the Electronic Communications Act, before April 30, the Agency will make publicly available a comprehensive report on the evolution of electronic communications market in 2010.

March 10, 2011