TIRANA, March 11 – The number of mobile phone subscribers and internet users continued growing even in 2012 while fixed-telephony registered another drop. Data made available by the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP) show the number of mobile phone subscribers in 2012 reached 5.6 million, double compared to the 2.8 million residents in Albania as revealed by the latest 2011 housing and population census. The number of subscribers is 7 percent higher compared to 2011, revealing that almost every Albanian holds at least two SIM cards. AKEP says the number of active subscribers (those who have used mobile services in the past three months) is 3.5 million which is 14 percent more compared to 2011 with a mobile penetration rate of 125 percent, almost the same compared to the EU average.
Mobile airtime grew by 14 to 17 percent while SMSs rose by a huge 75 to 83 percent measured by the number of active users. An active subscriber spend an average of 319 minutes of airtime a month compared to 277 minutes in 2011 and 35 SMSs a month compared to 19 SMSs in 2011.
“The trend of the reduction of mobile tariffs continued even in 2012 mainly as a result of tougher market competition, the reduction of termination tariffs among operators and the positive impact from the mobile number portability,” says AKEP.
The number of fixed-line telephone subscribers dropped by 27,000, or 8 percent in 2012. “The declining trend in the number of fixed line subscribers is following that of the European Union although the penetration rate at 11 percent in Albania continues remaining very low compared to the EU average of 40 percent,” says the report.
The number of broadband internet subscribers in 2012 reached 215,000 which is 24 percent higher compared to 2011. The number of subscribers having internet access on their mobiles reached 1.4 million in 2012, up from 1.2 million in 2011. Internet service tariffs offered by Albtelecom and alternative operators dropped by 20 to 50 percent in 2012, in line with regional tariffs.
The report shows the electronic and postal communications market shrank by 9 percent to 52 billion lek in 2012, registering negative growth rates for the fourth year in a row.
Enquiry
Citing an abuse of dominant position by market operators, the Competition Authority has launched an enquiry into the mobile telephony market after observing signs of limited competition. In a decision taken in late December 2012, the Competition Authority says it has launched a preliminary enquiry into the pre-paid mobile telephony market after observing potentially anti-competitive behaviour by market operators which could target or result in limited free competition.
“Statistical and financial indicators in the electronic communications market for 2011 show that the mobile telephony market generated around 39.2 billion lek in revenues from its four market operators. This market is characterized by enterprises of dominant position in the retail mobile telephony sector,” says the Authority.
Data by the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP) show pre-paid customers account for 91 percent of mobile phone users.
Mobile operators saw their revenues drop for the third year in a row in 2011, reflecting the crisis impacts and increased competition which has considerably lowered tariffs. A report published by the Electronic and Postal Communication Authority (AKEP) shows total revenues for all four mobile operators in 2011 shrank by 6 percent to 39.2 billion lek (Euro 275 million).
Currently four companies, AMC, Vodafone Albania, Eagle Mobile and Plus Communication operate in the Albanian market.
