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

In the first quarter of 2018, the number of mobile broadband users (3G, 4G and modems/cards/USB - dedicated access) increased by 2,8% compared to the end of last year and exceeded 2 million 497,7 thousand, while penetration rate per 100 inhabitants reached 70,3%, as shown by the statistical data regarding the evolution of this market in the timeframe January - March 2018, processed by National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI).

According to the data presented to ANRCETI by the three providers of mobile communications networks and services (Orange Moldova, Moldcell and Moldtelecom - Unite), the number of 4G users grew most dynamically, by 7,2%, reaching more than 741,9 thousand. Of these, in the first quarter of the year, 660,6 thousand used mobile Internet via smartphones and 81,4 thousand via modems/cards/USB.

The same data show that, during the given timeframe, the traffic generated by mobile Internet users via smart phones practically doubled (+96,4%) and reached more than 8 million 760,9 thousand GB, the traffic generated by dedicated access users increased by 16,1% up to 12 million 948,6 thousand GB, the total mobile broadband traffic being 21,7 million GB, up to 39%. In the first three months of the year, a user who accessed the mobile Internet via smartphone generated an average monthly traffic of 1613,3 MB, while a user of dedicated Internet access – a monthly traffic of 13,7 GB.

As a result of the increase in the number of users and the traffic they generated, the total volume of revenues form mobile broadband services grew by 20,8%, compared to the first quarter of 2017 and reached more than 244,2 million. This evolution occurred due to the revenue increases of all three providers of mobile communications networks and services: Orange Moldova – increased revenues up to 152,43 million lei, which makes 24,4%, Moldcell increased revenues up to 67,2 million lei, which makes 20% and Moldtelecom increased revenues up to 25 million lei, which makes 4,2%. As a result, the average monthly revenue (ARPU) per mobile dedicated access user increased by 2,2% to 79 lei, and the revenue per smartphone Internet user slightly dropped (-1%), to 26,3 lei.

At the end of the first quarter of 2018, the market shares of the three mobile broadband providers, based on turnover, was subject to minor changes. Orange Moldova had a market share of 62,25%, Moldcell and Moldtelecom – market shares of 27,52% and 10,23%, accordingly.

ANRCETI states that 4G mobile communications services, launched in November 2012, provide Internet access from mobile devices and Internet at high data transfer speeds of up to 300 Mbps. At the end of 2017, the population and territory coverage by 4G networks in the Republic of Moldova was 97% and 94%, accordingly, meaning that virtually all smart phone or tablet holders can benefit from high speed Internet access.

May 25, 2018