A number of providers of electronic communication services will have direct access to global Internet this year. Only Moldtelecom now has direct access to global optical fiber Internet at the western border of Moldova and can therefore impose exaggerated prices on other providers that use its Internet access services, the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) said, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. In order to create favorable conditions for developing the broadband Internet access services market, the ANRCETI approved the procedure for coordinating the installation and management of the electronic communication networks at the state border with the competent public authorities. Orange and Starnet were the first providers that asked to be authorized to install their networks up to the Moldovan-Romanian state border. Norma is the third company that filed a similar application. The facilitation of direct access to global Internet will significantly stimulate the development of broadband Internet access services and contribute to improved high-speed Internet offers and lower tariffs for such services. Last year, the broadband Internet penetration rate per 100 people was 5.23%.