Connections to broadband Internet surged by 60% on the local market in the first half of 2006 compared with last December, to 1.2 million, according to the preliminary data issued by the National Communications Regulating Authority.
Broadband Internet connections are witnessing the highest growth rate among all the other segments of the local telecom market, and one of the highest in Europe - justified by the low penetration of Romanian web access services, compared with other similar segments of the communications market.
In late June, the penetration rate of Internet access services stood at 11%, a modest level compared with the 70% penetration rate of mobile telephony, 50% of TV (cable, satellite and web) and the 20.5% claimed by fixed telephony.
The major players on the local communications market - fixed and mobile telephony and cable TV operators - are making significant investment plans, motivated by the strong growth potential of the Internet services segment. According to IDC, the local Internet access services market amounted to 81 million euros last year.
The offers of Internet services also witnessed a surge in the first half of the year, according to ANRC data. In late June, there were 1,154 companies providing web access services, 17% more compared with the end of 2005.
Mobile telephony operators attracted 1.9 million new clients in first six months of the year, reaching 14.9 million users. The number of users rose by some 15%, against the 11% growth rate posted in first half last year and the 17% rise in the second half of 2005.
The total number of audiovisual programmes subscribers has grown by some 7% since the beginning of the year, to about 4 million in June.
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