Moldova Telecoms giant justifies landline price rise as copper network fades
The largest national telecoms operator in Moldova has responded to speculation about a rise in landline phone tariffs.
The operator, which provides internet, television, mobile and landline services, insisted the move is not a general price hike but involves only isolated cases.
Radio Moldova asked residents how often they use their landline, given the shift towards mobile devices, and for their views on the potential rise.
The national operator said landline services use two different technologies. The first is the older copper network, where the subscription remains 40 lei per month. The second is the modern SIP network, where those who also have fixed internet or television pay only 10 lei per month. As such, prices are not changing for all users, but depend on the technology available in each local area.
Representatives of the national operator say the copper network is aging, equipment is no longer manufactured, and the company is gradually transitioning to more modern systems.
Subscribers affected by the change are offered several options: mobile telephony at 30 lei per month, landline telephony at 10 lei per month if combined with internet or television, and independent SIP telephony. The independent option requires the installation of the fibre optic network, bringing internet to the customer, and supplementary equipment.
The cost for this option is 90 lei per month, reflecting the higher investment required. The operator specifies that this variant applies only in special cases where the copper network can no longer be maintained.
When asked, several residents gave their views on the landline price increasing to 90 lei, and how often they use the service:
"90 lei for us pensioners is too much of a squeeze, even though we have mobile phones. A landline—to call friends, to call relatives—is very expensive. They should also consider us who are retired."
"I've practically forgotten about my landline. It's not convenient; a mobile is much more useful."
"I don't use the landline; I don't feel the need to use it. We have a mobile phone, we can talk to our parents at any time, we can see each other, but I think that price is quite exaggerated."
"I haven't used it for about two or three years. We all have mobile phones already, and we are used to calling our parents, friends, and work colleagues using our mobiles. Landline telephony is now unimportant; it's not necessary at all, and we even disconnected after moving into the apartment."
"I don't use the landline, but I know my grandma has one. Every time I visit, my younger brother and I pretend to play pranks on people: he holds the landline to his ear while I put my hand to my ear."
In recent years, the number of landline phone users has decreased. Data shows that last year, only about 7,094 Moldovans still used landline telephony.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
