Broadband internet services increasingly popular in Moldova's districts

The average growth rate of the number of users of broadband internet services at fixed locations in the country's districts last year rose by 21.3 percentage points from the previous year to 66.3 percent, the National ICT Regulatory Agency reported. Last year, in each of the 20 districts of the country the number of users of broadband internet services at fixed locations rose by more than 1,000 persons. The highest leaps, of over 2,000 users, were registered in four districts: Cahul, Orhei, Hincesti and Straseni. In Cahul, the number of broadband internet users rose by 69.2% to 6,815, and in Orhei the number rose by 65% to 6,286 users. In the districts of Hincesti and Straseni the numbers stood at 5,019 (+69.4%) and 4,949 (+70.2%), respectively. The lowest growths, from 321 to 989 users, were registered in seven districts: Basarabeasca, Criuleni, Donduseni, Dubasari, Leova, Rezina and Soldanesti. In the country's districts, municipalities excepted, the average penetration rate of broadband services at fixed locations per 100 households rose by 5.4 percentage points to 13.8%. The highest rates, between 18% and 19%, were registered in the districts of Basarabeasca, Cahul, Ialoveni, Straseni and Taraclia, and the lowest, between 8% and 9%, in the districts of Soldanesti, Donduseni and Dubasari. At the beginning of 2011, there were 196,500 broadband internet users in urban areas, or 73% of the total, and 72,600 in rural areas, or 27%. ANRCETI ascribes this situation to poorer purchase power, limited availability of digital technology and weaker competition in rural areas. ANRCETI expects that in 2011 the number of users of broadband internet services at both fixed and mobile locations will rise by 35%-40% to 350,000 users and 165,000 users, respectively. The penetration rate of broadband services at fixed locations, calculated per 100 population, will reach 10%, and at mobile locations at 4.7%. Under the 2010-2013 Broadband Internet Development Strategy, by the end of 2013 the penetration rates should rise to 20% for both fixed and mobile locations.