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

In the first qtr. of 2016, the total revenue in electronic communications sector (mobile telephony, mobile dedicated Internet, fixed telephony, fixed Internet, broadcasting and retransmission of audiovisual programs, other activities) decreased 3,32% over the same period of last year, and equaled 1 billion 633 mln lei, as shown in a report of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) regarding the evolution of the electronic communications market in the first quarter of 2016. The document was published on ANRCETI official website and is available: http://anrceti.md/files/filefield/Raport%20statist%201Q%202016.pdf.

On June 2-3, a workshop for Electronic Communications Regulators from Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries on competition in the electronic communications market took place in Chisinau. It was organized by Electronic Communications Regulators Network (EaPeReg), with the support of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), under a technical assistance project of the European Commission (EC).

In the first quarter 2016, the market for Internet access at fixed locations continued growing both in terms of subscribers, as well as revenues. The statistical data published by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) show that during January-March 2016 the number of subscribers to these services increased by about 3,5 thousand (+0,7%) up to 537,9 thousand, while the total revenues increased by 12,6 thousand lei (+4,9%) and exceeded 268 mln. lei.

According to statistical data on Pay TV market developments (cable and IP TV) in the first quarter of 2016, published on the official website of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), both the number of subscribers and the revenues decreased during this period. The number of subscribers equaled 271,8 thousand - decreased by 3,4 thousand (1,3%), while the revenues equaled 37,5 mln. lei - reduced by 939,1 thousand lei (2,1%). Thus the total revenue of the audiovisual sector constituted about 66 mln. lei, down by 14,6 mln. lei (15,3%).

In January - March 2016, the number of fixed telephony subscribers, voice traffic and revenues continued to decrease - a trend of this marked in the recent years. The statistical data on the evolution of the fixed telephony market, published by the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) show that the number of subscribers fell by more than 2,1 thousand (-0,2%) and totaled over 1,2 million, the volume of voice traffic dropped by 12% and totaled 516,4 million minutes and the revenues on this market segment decreased by 10,9% and equaled about 236 million lei.

The statistical data on mobile market developments in the first quarter of 2016, published on the official website of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) shows a slight decrease of the main indicators of this market over this timeframe. In the first three months of this year, the number of users decreased by 23,3 thousand (-0,5%) and totaled 4 mln. 300,2 thousand, the volume of voice traffic decreased compared to the same period of 2015 by 2,2% and totaled 1 billion. 5044 million minutes, while the total volume of sales in this sector decreased by 4,3%, making over 804 mil. lei.

On May 19, 2016, the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) hosted a working meeting with experts on postal service regulation of the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT) from Lithuania. It was an exchange of experience within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement signed by the two authorities in 2012.

Last week, a group of specialists from the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) attended a two-day seminar held in Chisinau. They studied the best European practices governing access to properties and shared use of infrastructure associated with electronic communications networks. The seminar was organized under TAIEX technical assistance instrument of the European Commission and delivered by two experts from the National Authority for Communications of Portugal (ANACOM).

As of April 29, 2016, the date when the Law on Postal Communications (Law no. 36/2016) became effective, the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) took over the powers of postal services market regulation, as provided by the mentioned Law. In order to fulfill its new responsibilities, ANRCETI determined the actions needed for the enforcement of the provisions stipulated by Law No.36/2016 as regards its competence. Previously, before Law no. 36/2016 became effective, the postal sector regulatory powers were exerted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications.

The National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) has been empowered by the Law on Access to Properties and Shared Use of Infrastructure Associated with Public Electronic Communications Networks (Law no. 28/2016), in force since April 15, 2016, to ensure compliance with this law of property rights holders and electronic communications network and/or service providers as related to obtaining and exercising the right of access to properties and shared use of infrastructure associated with electronic communications networks. To fulfill this task, ANRCETI developed an Action Plan for the implementation of Law. 28/2016, which provides for the regulatory acts and measures, scheduled by ANRCETI for 2016 and devised to ensure the implementation of the mentioned Law.