Sales decrease despite rise in number of fixed-line phone subscribers

The number of subscribers to fixed-line telephone services in the first half of this year rose by 1.9% compared with the corresponding period last year, to over 1 million users, but the sales of such services fell by about 1%, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the national electronic communications and information technology regulator ANRCETI. The sales of Moldtelecom in the period decreased by 0.07%, while of the alternative fixed-line telephone operators – by over 51%. The monthly average revenue per user dropped by 2.9% compared with January-June 2009. The decrease in sales of fixed-line telephone services is caused by market saturation and the substitution of these services by mobile phone services. The ANRCETI says the number of subscribers to the fixed-line phone services provided by Moldtelecom exceeds 1 million, while the clients of the alternative operators total about 35,000. Seventeen operators provided fixed-line phone services in the first half of this year. SA Moldtelecom has a market share of 98.96%, while the other 16 operators – of 1.04% together.