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

In nine months of 2016, the number of mobile broadband users (via smartphones and modems/cards/USB - dedicated access, 3G and 4G-based technologies) increased compared to the end of 2015, by over 321,8 thousand (+22%) and exceeded 1 million 777,8, show the statistical data aggregated by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI). Following this increase, the rate of mobile broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants reached 50 percent, which means that on average, every second citizen of the Republic uses those services.

According to data submitted to ANRCETI by the three providers (Orange Moldova, Moldcell and Moldtelecom - Unite), the largest increase in the number of users, depending on technical support for access was recorded by the segment of 4G Internet access. During the reporting period, the number of these users increased more than twice: from 132,7 thousand to 296,8 thousand.

In nine months, the total mobile broadband traffic increased over the same period of 2015 by 19% up to 33 million 708 thousand GB. 7 million 290,3 thousand GB of this volume was generated by smart phones users, while 26 million 418,3 thousand GB traffic – by users of dedicated Internet access. A user accessing the mobile Internet via a smart phone generated an average monthly traffic of 542 MB, while a user of dedicated Internet access – a monthly traffic of 9,8 GB.

The data aggregated by ANRCETI show that the total mobile broadband revenues increased, compared to the nine months of 2015, by 20,2% up to 516,1 million lei. Revenues increased with all the three mobile providers: Moldcell – by 33,3% up to 139,4 million lei, Orange Moldova – by 19,6% up to 303,7 million lei and Moldtelecom by 2,7% up to 73 million lei. Consequently, the average monthly revenue (ARPU) per dedicated mobile Internet user was 77,2 lei, the revenue per user of mobile Internet via smartphone – 23,1 lei and the revenue per broadband mobile user – 36,5 lei.

According to the statistical data for nine months of this year, the market shares of the three mobile broadband providers, by turnover, were the following: Orange Moldova – 58,8%, Moldcell – 26,9% and Moldtelecom – 1,3%.

ANRCETI mentions that the Internet access services based on 3G technology were launched in 2008 and the 4G services – in 2012. 4G networks provide Internet access speeds of up to 300 Mbps, 3G networks – speeds up to 42 Mbps.

November 28, 2016