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

In the timeframe between January and September 2017, the main indicators of the fixed broadband market continued its growing trends, as attested in recent years. In nine months, the number of fixed Internet subscribers increased by more than 16,7 thousand (+2,9%) up to a total of over 574,1 thousand, the revenue from these services increased, compared to the same period of 2016 by 99,3 million lei (+12,1%) and exceeded 923 million lei.

According to the statistical data aggregated by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), as a result of the increase in revenues from fixed Internet access services, in nine months of 2017 the average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) increased by about 7% and amounted to 181,1 lei.

Data processed by ANRCETI show that the fixed broadband Internet infrastructure, which makes it possible to access the global network at high data rates, is dominated by fiber optic connections (FTTx). The number of subscribers connected to the network via these technologies increased by more than 20,6 thousand (+6,1%) and exceeded 335,7 thousand, which represents 58,5% of the total number of subscribers. Meanwhile, the number of subscribers connected to the network via coaxial cable (DOCSIS technology) increased by 1,7 thousand (+4,4%) up to 40,3 thousand (7% of the total number of subscribers), while the number of those connected via xDSL technologies decreased by 5,6 thousand (-2,9%) up to 195,8 thousand, which represents 34,1% of the total number of subscribers. In nine months, the penetration rate of fixed Internet access services per 100 inhabitants increased by 0,5 percentage points and reached 16,2%.

As per September 30, 2017, most subscribers to fixed Internet access services – 51,2% of their total – have data rates between 30 and 100 Mbps and 6,9% – have rates above 100 Mbps. 33,2% of subscribers have transfer rates between 10 and 30 Mbps, 4,7% – from 2 to 10 Mbps and 3,9% – up to 2 Mbps. Rates between 30 and 100 Mbps are considered as high data transfer speeds, and those over 100 Mbps – very high speeds.

At the end of the reporting period, the fixed Internet access market was operated by 79 providers. The most important market shares, according to revenues, were owned by Moldtelecom – 63,2%, Starnet Solutions – 23,4% and Sun Communications – 5,1%. The other providers cumulative share was 9,3%.

November 30, 2017