05.12.2018

 

On average, a Romanian user consumed 26 GB over fixed internet connections and 2.3 GB over mobile internet connections. In the first half of 2018, the average monthly fixed internet traffic per inhabitant increased by 15%, while mobile internet traffic soared by 49% per inhabitant.

Mobile internet

The data processed by ANCOM for the first half of 2018 show that the number of 4G connections kept growing steadily, by 12%, up to 9 million. Thus, 4G connections stand at 46% of the total number of mobile internet connections, while 39% are 3G connections, the share of high-speed connections reaching 85% of the 19.3 million mobile internet connections.

The total mobile internet traffic increased by 48% in the first half of 2018, up to 0.26 million TB, i.e. the average monthly mobile internet traffic per inhabitant reached 2.3 GB.

Based on the number of mobile internet connections active at mid-2018, the market leader held a market share of 38%, the second largest provider 24%, the next one 19%, while the rest of the providers totalled 19%. 

Fixed internet

According to ANCOM’s statistics, the number of fixed internet connections in Romania reached 4.9 million in H1 2018, up by 3.6% compared to end-2017.

The penetration rate of fixed internet per 100 households was 60% at national level, respectively 72% in urban areas and 43% in rural areas. The gap between urban and rural areas kept narrowing: the number of fixed internet connections in rural areas exceeded 1.5 million, rising 8% for the second semester in a row. Approximately one third of the rural connections enable speeds above 100 Mbps, up by 32% in the first half of 2018.

At national level, the share of high-speed connections (at least 100Mbps) reached 66%, mainly due to the roll-out of fiber optic networks, which are getting ever closer to the end-user’s location. Moreover, 58% of the fixed internet connections are achieved over FTTH or FTTB.

In H1 2018, the total fixed internet traffic reached 3 million TB (+14%), therefore the average monthly fixed internet traffic per inhabitant was 26 GB.

Based on the number of fixed internet connections at the end of H1 2018, the market leader held 49% market share, the second largest provider 24%, the next one 13%, whereas the rest of the providers totalled 14%. 

Statistical data report

The statistical data report on the Romanian electronic communications market for the first semester of 2018 is carried out by ANCOM on the basis of the statistical data reported half-yearly by the providers who are obliged to transmit to ANCOM the values of the indicators corresponding to the categories of services according to Decision no. 333/2013 and will be soon available on www.ancom.org.ro.