Romania Communication Profile 2012

Convergence, Broadband & Internet Market
Romania's broadband market has grown rapidly due to strong competition. Broadband services are available from widely accessible cable TV operators and micro LAN-based ISPs, as well as fixed-line incumbent, RomTelecom.

Increasing broadband uptake is fostering development of Romania's Internet society, encompassing e-commerce, e-government and e-health. Triple play services have been launched by the cable TV operators, which pose a significant threat to RomTelecom given the reach of their networks.

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.

Regulatory & Fixed Line Telecoms
Romania's fixed-line telecoms market is evolving under the weight of competition and technological change. Implementation of EU Directives has opened the telecoms market to competition and implemented a regulatory framework designed to foster fair competition. Alternative operators have launched competing services in the liberalised fixed-line voice market, with cable TV operators the most successful to date. Both alternative operators and the incumbent have invested in network capacity upgrades and implemented NGN technologies due to the shift towards offering broadband services and implementing converged networks.

Mobile Market
Romania's mobile communications market is served by five mobile network operators utilising a mixture of GSM, CDMA and WCDMA technologies, although the market is dominated by two major players.

Market competition has intensified following the introduction of mobile number portability, the entrance of a new market player and the launch of four competing WCDMA 3G/HSDPA services. Mobile broadband is now widely available with competing services bundled with prepaid data allowances set to develop the nascent mobile data market.