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Economic Crisis, Competition Increased Traffic On Romanian Mobile Networks

The economic crisis and stronger competition have led to 33% increased traffic on Romanian mobile networks in the first six months, compared to the end of 2008, while the number of users dropped to 24.4 million, said Monday Catalin Marinescu, head of the Romanian telecom regulator ANCOM.
Economic Crisis, Competition Increased Traffic On Romanian Mobile Networks
19 oct. 2009, 12:35, English

Marinescu, attending the IT&C Global Forum 2009 held Monday, said the total mobile voice traffic was more than 19.5 billion minutes in the first half of the year, 33.9% more than the level recorded in late 2008. Of all the customers, 9.7 million had a subscription, while 14.8 million used prepaid cards.

Compared to June 2008, the number of subscribed mobile users increased by 9.6% to 9.7 million, from 8.5 million, while the number of prepaid card users went up by 14.1%, to 14.8 million, according to Marinescu.

„Although the number of lines, 5.3 million, is 17.8% higher, voice traffic through fixed lines declined by 16% compared to June 2008,” Marinescu said. The fixed phone penetration rate is now 24.7% per 100 people, up by 3.6% since June 2008. Relative to households, the rate increased by 3.1 points, to 54.6% per 100 households.

Marinescu said Internet penetration and use rates have continued to grow, with mobile links soaring by 58% in six months, probably due to developing 3G networks. ANCOM data states the number of Internet connections was 5 million at the end of the first quarter of the year, up from 3.9 million in December 2008 and 3.2 million a year ago. Internet penetration rate is now 12.3% per 100 people, up by 1.8% since June 2008.

Marinescu said that, on account of stiffer competition, the financial crisis and regulation framework, mobile operators have adapted their offers, lowering fees and increasing the number of minutes included in the subscription.

ANCOM is the Romanian communications market regulator and watchdog. The most important players on the local market are Orange Romania, Vodafone Romania, Cosmote Romania, Telemobil (Zapp Mobile) and RCS&RDS, together with Romtelecom and UPC Romania.