Fiber Optic Dominates Romanian Internet Landscape
Romania's fixed internet landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with fiber optic connections taking center stage. According to data presented by the National Authority for Communications (ANCOM), at the end of 2023, fiber optic accounted for an impressive 75% of all fixed internet connections, marking a 13% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in fiber optic adoption has driven the number of Gigabit connections to surpass 2 million.
Key Highlights from ANCOM's Report
Fiber Optic Dominance: Fiber optic connections now dominate the Romanian fixed internet market, with 5 million users enjoying the benefits of high-speed, reliable internet.
Gigabit Growth: The number of Gigabit connections has more than doubled, reaching 2 million, reflecting the growing demand for ultra-fast internet speeds.
Rural Adoption on the Rise: The adoption rate of fiber optic connections in rural areas is outpacing urban areas, demonstrating the commitment to bridging the digital divide.
Overall Internet Penetration: The overall internet penetration rate in Romania has exceeded 80%, reaching 86% in urban areas and 72% in rural areas.
Mobile Internet and Telephony Trends
While fiber optic takes the lead in fixed internet, mobile internet and telephony also saw notable developments in 2023:
Mobile Internet Usage: The number of active mobile internet connections reached 21.5 million, with 4G and/or 5G technology utilized by 17 million connections.
5G Adoption Skyrockets: 5G connections tripled compared to 2022, reaching 2.3 million, indicating a rapid shift towards next-generation mobile technology.
Mobile Data Consumption: Average monthly mobile data consumption per user increased by 32%, reaching 11 GB per month.
Mobile Telephony: The total number of active mobile SIM cards remained stable at 23.6 million, with two-thirds of these being postpaid subscriptions.
Television Trends
The television landscape in Romania witnessed a continued preference for cable TV services:
TV Subscribers: The number of TV subscribers remained steady at 7.8 million.
Cable TV Dominates: Cable TV subscriptions grew by 4%, reaching 6.8 million, while satellite/DTH subscriptions declined by 22% to 0.9 million.
Revenue in the Telecom Sector
The overall revenue in the Romanian telecom sector remained stable at 16.9 billion lei (approximately 3.4 billion euros) in 2023. Fixed and mobile internet accounted for 37% of total revenue, followed by mobile telephony (29%), TV retransmission (15%), fixed telephony (9%), and other networks/services (10%).
Celebrating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
The release of these statistics coincides with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, commemorating the signing of the first International Convention on Telegraphy in Paris in 1865, which led to the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
ANCOM's report highlights the remarkable progress made by Romania in expanding access to high-speed internet and embracing new technologies, paving the way for a more connected and digitally empowered society.
Source: Business Magazin
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