2015 Romania - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

Romanian State’s third attempt to offload stake in Telekom Romania delayed

Romania’s fixed-line telecoms market continues to evolve under the impact of competition and technological change. The country’s implementation of EU Directives opened the telecoms market to new players and implemented a regulatory framework which has affected the market in a number of ways, not least on operator revenue. Alternative operators and the incumbent Telekom Romania alike have invested in network upgrades to accommodate the shift towards higher use of data services.

Broadband platforms include widely accessible cable TV, micro LANs, DSL, wireless and a fibre sector which has become one of the strongest in Europe in recent years. Increasing broadband take up is fostering the development of Romania’s internet society, encompassing e-commerce, e-government and e-health services. Digital TV is available via cable TV, satellite and digital terrestrial TV, with the satellite-based digital pay-TV operators instrumental in driving digital TV uptake. DTTV developments are progressing following the approval of a DTTV migration strategy.

Romania’s mobile communications market is served by a number of network operators utilising a mixture of GSM, 3G and 4G technologies. Penetration rates are high as a result of multiple SIM-card ownership. Mobile broadband has become widely available following the early launch of 3G networks, and subsequently the launch of services based on LTE networks. In recent years investment in networks has meant that 3G is available widely, while LTE has a growing footprint and is expected to be available nationally by early 2016. Market competition has also rendered services increasingly affordable for consumers.

This report provides an insight into Romania’s developing telecommunications market, covering regulatory developments, the major players and fixed-line infrastructure. It also provides an overview of the growing mobile market, covering market developments, spectrum auctions and regulatory measures, as well as profiling the major operators and offering a variety of financial and performance statistics. In addition the report provides insights into Romania’s growing broadband and broadcasting markets, covering the technologies and operators.

Key developments:

• Government signs off on new NGN strategy;
• RomTelecom rebranded as Telekom Romania;
• Government makes third attempt to sell its 46% stake in Telekom Romania;
• Weakened currency contributing to decline in telecom market revenue;
• Third round of licenses for DTT broadcasting initiated;
• UPC Romania launches free shared WiFi network for subscribers;
• Telekom Romania and RCS & RDS launch 1Gb/s FttP services;
• UPC extends 200Mb/s service across its network;
• Government secures €84 million EU funding to extend broadband to unconnected areas;
• Digi Mobil launches LTE services in 12 cities;
• Operators bid for spectrum in the 3.4GHz band, to be made available in early 2016;
• Lycamobile launches services as an MVNO;
• Telekom Romania Mobile launches commercial LTE service;
• Report update includes the regulator’s market data for 2014, telco’s operating and financial data to Q2 2015, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Telekom Romania, RCS & RDS, UPC Romania, GTS Telecom, SN Radiocomunicatii, DigiTV, Boom TV, Dolce, Vodafone Romania, Orange Romania, Digi Mobil, Telemobil.