Broadband services development in Moldova: ways of moving forward
Sergiu Gandea, Ion Cosuleanu, Veaceslav Sidorenco
Status of Broad band (BB) development level is a key indicator of telecom access infrastructure of each
country and Republic of Moldova with only 3.8 % current penetration level of BB has to make a enormous
effort in bridging the “BB divide/gap” and trying to catch the average European level of 20% BB
penetration.
In the paper the main constraints in developing of Broad Band services in the Republic of Moldova will be
addressed and, also the possible ways of moving forward.
Main focus areas:
1 Fix BB:
• Further development of fix infrastructure based on xDSL, FTTx/GPON technologies
• De-monopolization of access to the existing canalization used for telecom infrastructure purposes
• Improving the interconnection regulatory and assure fair competition for all telecom players for
access to local loop, mainly owned by Moldtelecom, the national incumbent
• Developing the independent public community network like MAN (Metropolitan Access Networks)
staring with main cities from RM: Chişinău, BălŃi, Ungheni, Cahul, others, which will be run by
special public enterprises, created by local authorities.
2 Mobile BB
• Further development of national mobile infrastructure based on WCDMA, HSDPA/HSPUA, LTE
technologies
• Granting the preferential rights and conditions to mobile operators for using the limited radio
resources for development and offering mobile BBs services in rural area. For example, launching
UMTS (3G) services in the 900Mhz spectrum used now by GSM operators
• Public subventions in developing of passive infrastructure (towers for base stations / fiber optic
network) or granting fiscal facilities for infrastructure projects in rural area
• Launching of “national roaming” of mobile phone services