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

In the first quarter of 2018, the main indicators on fixed voice market continued to decline. The statistical data regarding the evolution of the fixed voice market in this timeframe, aggregated by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), show that the number of subscribers decreased by over 10,9 thousand (-0,96%), to a total of 1 million 133 thousand, the volume of voice traffic went down by 63,5 million minutes (-14,3%) and amounted to 379,7 million minutes and the volume of revenues dropped by 39,8 million lei (-21,8%), compared to the first quarter of 2017, coming to more than 143 million lei.

According to the data presented to ANRCETI by the 23 active fixed voice service providers, the decrease of the total number of subscribers was caused by the decrease of the subscriber base of JSC Moldtelecom, by 6,6 thousand (-0,7%), representing 1 million 11 thousand, and that of alternative suppliers, by 4,3 thousand (-3,4%), the number reaching 121,3 thousand at the end of first quarter. As a result of this evolution, the penetration rate of fixed voice services per 100 inhabitants decreased during three months by 0,3 p.p. and reached 31,9%.

The decrease of the total volume of voice traffic in fixed networks was driven by the reduction of all types of traffic. Thus, the traffic to international networks decreased by 29,5%, the traffic to mobile networks – by 17,6% and the in-network traffic – by 15,8%. As a result, average monthly voice traffic per subscriber (MoU) decreased by 12% and was equal to 177 minutes (two hours 57 minutes).

The decrease in the total revenues from fixed telephony services was caused by the decrease in revenues of operators on this market. Thus, revenues of JSC Moldtelecom decreased by 39,7 million lei (-22,5%) and were estimated at 136 million 930 thousand lei, and the cumulative revenues of alternative providers decreased by 82,9 thousand (-1,3%) estimated at 6 million 121 thousand lei. As a result of this evolution, the average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) decreased by 10,2 lei (-19,6%) and was equal to 41,9 lei. JSC Moldtelecom reported 45 lei ARPU, alternative providers 16,5 lei.

At the end of the first quarter 2018, the market share of JSC Moldtelecom, based on revenues, was estimated at 95,7%, and the cumulative share of alternative fixed voice providers – 4,3%.

May 28, 2018