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

Statistical data on the evolution of mobile voice market, reported to the National Agency for Regulation in Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) show that, in 2019, the volume of voice traffic in mobile networks increased, compared to 2018, by 0.7 % and surpassed 6 billion 218 million minutes, while the average monthly traffic per user (MoU) increased by 4.3% and was estimated as 278 minutes (four hours and 38 minutes), the average duration of a call being 1.8 minutes. At the same time, the total number of users of these services decreased by 0.2% and totaled 4 million 438.4 thousand; the volume of revenues on this market segment decreased by 2%, totaling 3 billion 143 million lei.

According to the data presented to ANRCETI by the three mobile communications providers (Orange Moldova, Moldcell and Moldtelecom), the most significant increase in voice traffic - by 10.2% - was reported by JSC Moldtelecom, this indicator estimated at about 406, 3 million minutes; in JSC Moldcell network this indicator increased by 0.7% and made up 1.6 billion minutes. The traffic on JSC Orange Moldova network decreased by 0.2% and constituted 4.2 billion minutes.

The same data show that a subscriber of JSC Orange Moldova consumed a monthly average of 323 minutes, a subscriber of JSC Moldtelecom -299 minutes, and one of JSC Moldcell - 199 minutes. Following this evolution, the average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 1.1% and equaled 73.3 lei. Moldtelecom registered an ARPU of 81.2 lei, Orange Moldova - 78.1 lei and Moldcell - 63.8 lei.

The decrease in the total number of mobile voice subscribers was determined by the decrease of subscriber number of Moldcell company, by 1.9%, making up 1 million 493.1 thousand and Orange Moldova company, by 0.1%, totaling about 2 million 538 thousand. At the same time, the subscriber base of Moldtelecom company increased by 5.9% and totaled 407.3 thousand.

Out of the total number of subscribers, 3 million 613.8 thousand (81.4%) were active subscribers, and about 824.6 thousand (18.6%) - passive subscribers (subscribers who have not used or paid for a mobile service in the last three months). The penetration rate of mobile voice services, relative to 100 inhabitants, increased by 1.6 percentage points and reached 134.8%.

At the end of 2019, the market shares, by turnover, were as follows: JSC Orange Moldova - 63.9%, JSC Moldcell - 30.2%, and JSC Moldtelecom - 5.9%.

March 27 2020