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

In 2014, the aggregated sales volume on the electronic communications market (mobile, fixed telephony, mobile and fixed broadband, broadcasting and retransmission, other activities in this area) increased, compared to 2013, by 2,4% and exceeded 6,8 billion lei. The most significant increases occurred on the market for mobile and fixed broadband (18%), other electronic communications services (26,5%). These data were conveyed to the public today, April 23, at a press conference organized by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), during which the ANRCETI officials presented the current situation and trends of the electronic communications market.

According to Roman Bahnaru, Deputy Head of the Regulation Executive Department of ANRCETI, 2014 was remarkable due to a significant, 84% growth of investments in the sector: from 1,29 billion lei in 2013 to 2,37 billion lei in 2014. The largest volume of investments was directed to mobile networks, this amount increased almost three times: from 656 million lei, in 2013, to 1,7 billion lei in 2014. The bulk of this investment - around 1 billion lei - was paid by the three mobile providers (JSC "Orange Moldova", JSC "Moldcell" and JSC "Moldtelecom") to the state budget for the new licenses for the use of radio frequencies in 800, 900 and 1800 MHz spectrum, for the provision of public mobile communications services, for a 15-year timeframe. Receiving the licenses, the three providers increased investments in mobile networks, particularly in developing 3G / 4G networks. At the same time, investments in fixed networks increased by 3,7% up to 625,3 million lei, in broadcasting networks - by 27,5% up to 41,5 million lei.

Other important events occurred on the mobile and fixed broadband markets. In 2014, Moldovans downloaded a greater volume of data and more frequently used mobile devices to access the Internet. During one year, Internet traffic via mobile phones doubled and the number of 4G users increased 6 times: from 4000 subscribers in 2013 to 26,000 in 2014. The first ranked consumers’ preference was the connection to high-speed or very high speed Internet services (above 30 Mbps or 100 Mbps). The average fixed Internet access speed (download) increased by over 10 Mbps up to 42,7 Mbps, which fact ranked Moldova the 18^th in the world, according to this indicator. The average upload speed was 36,2 Mbps, which ranked Moldova the 11^th in the world.

ANRCETI experts believe that the main trends perceived on the electronic communications market the last two years will continue in 2015. According to ANRCETI estimations, mobile and fixed broadband markets will continue to be the most dynamic markets; sales, as well as Internet traffic and access speed, number of subscribers and penetration rate will be increasing. The upward trend on these markets is enhanced by the growing influence of Internet on daily lives of citizens, by the development of 3G and 4G Internet access infrastructure, optical fiber deployment, better and more attractive offers for users.

Following the analysis of electronic communications market developments last year and global development trends, ANRCETI estimated that in 2015 the turnover will keep to the level of 2014. Should the sales on the mobile telephony market decline, the turnover in this sector could reduce by about one percent. The significant influence of the mobile market on the situation in the electronic communications sector is explained by the fact that this market accounts for half of total sales of the sector. Even if the sales on the fixed and mobile broadband market increase, according to ANRCETI estimations, by 15%, the situation in the sector will not change substantially, since the fixed telephony revenues are expected to fall by 10%, while those from broadcasting and retransmission of audiovisual programs will remain at the level of 2014.

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April 23, 2014