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

In the first three months of 2010, the number of subscribers to fixed telephony services has increased with more than 7,7 thousand and reached one million 146 thousand, whereas the penetration rate of these services per one hundred inhabitants of the Republic, reached 32.1%, as shown by the data available with the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) regarding the situation in this market.

The Agency states it is for the first time in 120-year history of fixed telephony in Moldova that the 32% threshold has been exceeded. The first one million fixed telephony subscribers was registered in autumn 2006.

In the quarter under report, JSC MOLDTELECOM connected to its network 2,5 thousand new subscribers, alternative fixed telephony operators – 4,2 thousand. In early April MOLDTELECOM had a million 113 thousand subscribers and alternative operators – over 33 thousand. The market share of Moldtelecom, by number of subscribers, was 97.2% and the one of alternative operators reached 2.8%.

However, during the same timeframe, this market underwent a slight decrease in sales volume, compared with the first quarter of 2009. This indicator decreased by 1.6% and made up 466 million lei. The revenues from fixed telephony activities of MOLDTELECOM constituted 461.7 million lei, the alternative operators’ revenue was 4.27 million lei. This decrease was caused by the reduced traffic in fixed networks, which, in its turn, is generated by the reduced consumption of fixed telephony services. Following these developments, the average monthly income per user (ARPU) fell by 3.5%, showing 136 lei.

In the first quarter, 15 providers operated on the fixed telephony market. The biggest player on this market is MOLDTELECOM, holding 99.1% market share, according to turnover. The other part of the market is divided between alternative providers, such as “Calea ferată din Moldova” (Railway of Moldova), companies RISCOM JSC, ARAX-IMPEX LLC, SICRES LLC, Starnet LLC, etc.

Further details of fixed telephony market developments can be found on the Agency website: www.anrceti.md, in the „Statistical Data” division.

May 21, 2010