Mobile phone penetration rate reaches 105%

The number of users of mobile phone services in 2011 rose by 18.1% compared with 2010, the mobile phone penetration rate reaching 105%, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the national electronic communications and IT regulator ANRCETI. 89.7% of the users of the services of the three mobile phone operators (Orange, Moldcell and Moldtelecom) are active users, while the rest are passive users. Following the rise in the number of users and traffic in the mobile phone networks, the sales of the three operators in 2011 increased by over 4.5% on 2010, to 3.61 billion lei. The three providers reported higher incomes from the sale of mobile phone services. SA Moldtelecom increased its turnover by about 31.1%, SA Moldcell – by 10.4%, while SA Orange Moldova – by 1.5%. The monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) in the mobile communications sector fell by 9.9% on 2010, to 89.6 lei. SA Orange Moldova reported an ARPU of 104.1 lei, SA Moldcell – of 67.2 lei, while SA Moldtelecom – of 66 lei. The largest market share by turnover was held in the period by Orange Moldova – 70.84%. The market shares of SA Moldcell and SA Moldtelecom were 25.57% and, respectively, 3.59%.