The number of fixed Internet connections in Romania reached 3.13 million in the first half of the year, up 4.4 percent on the previous six months, according to the country's Communication Authority (ANCOM). Most of these connections – around 2.8 million – were used by individual subscribers. 98 percent of the broadband connections had a transfer speed of at least 2 Mbps, while 62 percent had at least 10 Mbps in speed.

Around 88 percent of all the Internet connections use the FTTx fiber optic technology, which allows high Internet speeds. The penetration rate for broadband Internet access is 14.6 per 100 inhabitants, while the penetration rate for households is 38.7 percent. Romania has around 20 million inhabitants.

The number of internet connections for companies went down by 1 percent during the first half of this year, while connections for individuals grew by 5 percent.

On the mobile internet connections front, the the total hit 3.53 million, up 18 percent on the end of 2010, according to data from the six providers of mobile Internet services. Of this total, 2.6 million connections came from mobile phones, while 0.97 million from modems, cards or usb sticks.

There were 5.1 million terminals and SIM cards that allowed mobile Internet access based on 3G technology. ANCOM reported over 1,000 Internet service providers in Romania mid-2011.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Photoxpress.com)