National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology of the Republic of Moldova

In 2009, the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI – www.anrceti.md) authorized 202 economic entities to operate in the sector: 166 – to provide electronic communications networks and/or services and 36 – information technology services.

The mentioned 166 companies were authorized based on the new general authorization regime, as provided by the Law on Electronic Communications no. 241-XVI of 15.11.2007. 75 entities are new market players, whereas 91 – previously operating providers, who were authorized upon their request, due to the expiry of their license validity terms or due to voluntary renunciation of licenses in favor general authorization. Most of these companies – 141 – filed in notifications for the provision of public electronic communications services. The top three preferred types of requested services are Internet access services, data transport and audio-visual services, followed by telephone and leased line service provision.

In 2009, at the request of 36 economic entities and on the basis of the Law on Regulating Entrepreneurial Activity by Licensing no.451-XV din 30.07.2001, the Agency issued licenses for operation in information technology area. Every one of the 36 companies were issued two licenses: one for projecting, elaboration, implementation of automated information systems and resources of state interest and ensuring their functioning and the other – for elaboration, maintenance and implementation of software and information systems of state interest.

In this timeframe, the Agency also granted to authorized providers, at their request, 95 licenses for numbering resources and 16 – for the use of radio frequencies and/or channels in the provision of public electronic communications networks and services. As well, the regulator issued 2405 technical permits for radio communications stations, of which 2077 – for mobile stations, 55 – for fixed stations and 255 – for radio amateurs.

As per January 1, 2010, 241 companies had the right to operate on the electronic communications market, namely providing electronic communications networks and/or services, other 50 license holders – providing information technology services. As well, other 975 license holders had the right to run different other activities in telecommunications and informatics, under the Law on Telecommunications, previously in force, who are now expected to transfer to the general authorization regime.

The general authorization regime has been applied since September 2008. It provides that legal and natural persons, intending to provide public electronic communications networks and services, need to notify ANRCETI, at least 7 days before launching the provision. The Agency, within 7 days from notification date, issues a standard informative statement to confirm notification receipt and enters the provider into the Public Register of Electronic Communications Networks and Service Providers. Once this is completed, the applicant has the right to operate on this market. The Republic of Moldova is among the first CIS countries to apply the general authorization regime, widely used in the European Union.

January 12, 2010