Internet in Moldova

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Internet in Moldova is one of the fastest ^[1] and least expensive in the world.^[2] The country ranks 3rd in the world by gigabit coverage with around 90% of the population having the option to subscribe to a gigabit plan.^[3] The overall infrastructure is well developed which allows many users to experience good quality services throughout the country. However, despite high speeds and cheap prices, the penetration level is quite low when compared with many EU or CIS countries. In 2018, 49% of Moldovan households had broadband access.^[4] In 2015, there were 80 registered Internet Service Provider's (ISP's) in the country,^[5] with the majority being local or regional with only a few offering their services throughout the country. Moldtelecom and StarNet are the country's leading providers sharing around 88% of the market.^[6] The remaining 12% are shared between other ISPS, like SunCommunications, Arax Communications and others. Almost all ISPs that offer their services across the country have their headquarters located in the capital-city of Chişinău.

Moldtelecom is the only ISP that offers its services throughout the country on a wide scale, StarNet follows offering its services in several large towns and regional centers. Other ISPs are limited to their town or region.

Since 2008 all carriers offer 3G HSDPA Internet access throughout the country. While Moldtelecom and StarNet are major players on the "wired Internet access" market, Orange Moldova and Moldcell are major players on "mobile Internet access" market.

After the War of Transnistria in early 1990s, the Transnistrian self-proclaimed government denied access of operation for many Moldavian-based companies on its territory, including telecommunications companies. As such, the only major ISPs in that area are local IDC or Interdnestrcom (Интерднестрком) and LinkService, both operating only on Transnistrian territory.

Top Level Domain: MD