The mobile and fixed Internet access services in 2016 were the most dynamic in the electronic communications sector. According to a report published on the website of the national ICT regulator ANRCETI, the total sales of the two types of services increased by 12% on 2015 to 1.8 billion lei, which is 27% of the total value of the electronic communications market, IPN reports.

The number of users of mobile broadband Internet access services, based on 3G and 4G technologies and by dedicated access, rose by 30% to over 1.893,5 million, while of users of fixed Internet access services grew by 4.3% to over 557,400. Consequently, the mobile Internet penetration rate per 100 people de rose to 54%, while the fixed Internet penetration rate to 15.7%.

After a period of stagnation of several years, sales of mobile telephony services in 2016 fell by 4.4% on 2015 to 3.4 billion lei, while of fixed telephony services, which have been in decline for ten years, decreased by 14% to 876 million lei. The sales of audiovisual programs broadcasting and retransmission services diminished by 18.9% to 297 million lei.

The ANRCETI notes the declines are due to the modification of preferences of voice service users from landline telephone to mobile broadband and from mobile telephone to alternative communications services through the Internet, which are cheaper or are provided free (Skype, Viber, WhatsApp etc.).

The total sales of electronic communications services decreased to 6.7 billion lei.