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

The statistical data on the evolution of the fixed telephone market in the nine months of 2017, aggregated by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), show that during this time the voice traffic generated by fixed telephony users decreased by 13% to the value of 1 billion 205,4 million minutes. On average, one user monthly consumed two hours and 59 minutes, which is 9,6% less than in January - September 2016, a call lasting 2,3 minutes on average.

According to the data provided to ANRCETI by the fixed telephony service providers, during the reporting period, there was a decrease in both the number of subscribers and the revenues. The number of subscribers decreased by more than 19,5 thousand (-1,6%), as compared to the end of 2016 and was 1 million 151,7 thousand. Consequently, the fixed penetration rate per 100 inhabitants dropped by 1,6 percentage points and showed 32,4%.

As a result of the decrease in the number of subscribers and voice traffic, the total revenues from fixed telephony services decreased, compared to nine months of 2016, by over 21% and equaled over 530,7 million lei. At the same time, the average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) decreased by 18,8% to 50,7 lei.

ANRCETI specialists explain the drop of revenues on the fixed telephony market by the change of consumers’ preferences in favor of mobile telephony and alternative internet communication services (OTT services - Skype, Viber, etc.) that are more attractive and advantageous for users.

According to the situation attested on September 30, 2017, 21 fixed-line telephony operators were active. The largest market share in terms of revenues - 96% - was held by JSC Moldtelecom.

November 28, 2017