Internet in Moldova

Internet In Moldova

Moldova has one of the best wired Internet connections in the world as well as one of the cheapest in terms of price per Mbit. The overall infrastructure is well developed which allows many users to experience good quality services throughout the country. However despite high speed availability and cheap prices, the penetration level is quite low when compared with many EU or CIS countries. In 2012 there were 53 registered ISPs in the country with the majority being local or regional only with only a few offering their services throughout the country. Moldtelecom (or MTC) and StarNet are the country's leading providers sharing around 88% of the market. The remaining 12% are shared between other ISPs like Orange Moldova, SunCommunications, Arax Communications, IDC, Moldcell and others. Almost all ISPs that offer their services across the country have their headquarters located in the capital city of Chişinău, the exception being IDC whose headquarters are located in the city of Tiraspol.
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 Mobile Network Operators 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 Transnistrian 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 Interdnestrсom (Интерднестрком) and LinkService, both operate only on Transnistrian territory.

Top Level Domain: MD