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

Having regard to the policy of European integration, pursued by the Republic of Moldova, ANRCETI was assigned with the following duties:
• To promote the implementation of European standards and norms in the field of electronic communications and information technology;
• Launch and conduct specific actions in order to harmonize the national regulatory framework applied in electronic communications and information technology with EU requirements;
• Ensure efficient participation of the Republic of Moldova in the activities pertaining to the development and regulation of electronic communications and information technologies, organized worldwide, at European and regional levels, as well on bilateral basis with EU member states.

The objective of European integration of the Republic of Moldova is set to support the efforts of gradual development of the electronic communications market and eliminate development gaps in transition to Information Society, taking into account both the need to align to EU standards and norms and to keep pace with the fast evolution of the new technologies.

In order to attain this purpose, a series of specific actions were devised and included in a set of national plans and programs, targeted at electronic communications development and support. One such document is R. Moldova – EU Action Plan 2005-2007, signed February 22, 2005. The Plan sets forth a number of activities, classified per separate areas and meant to ensure alignment to EU standards.

The Chapter “Information Society” of the Action plan, including the sub-chapter 67 „Accelerate progress in electronic communications regulation and policy” and sub-chapter 68 „Accelerate progress in the development of information society services and integration of the Republic of Moldova in the IST Investigation Program”, sets the objective of adjustment of the regulatory framework, norms and standards governing electronic communications to the ones applied in EU, of competition promotion and development of new services and technologies.

In order to achieve the said objectives, a new Law on Electronic Communications was adopted in November 2007, a document developed in compliance with the requirements of the EU 2002 regulatory framework. The adoption of the law was an event of major importance both for the regulator and for all providers of electronic communications networks and services from the Republic of Moldova. The law provides for a simplified market entry by applying the general authorization regime, whereas the Agency was additionally given the powers in terms of ensuring access and interconnection, promote effective competition and prevent anti-competitive behavior on relevant markets. The law also contains many other new clauses, strictly necessary for proper functioning of the electronic communications market.

Throughout 2008, ANTCETI was engaged, mainly, in the development and approval of draft regulatory acts to support the implementation of the Law on electronic Communications. In the said process the agency takes guidance from the EU regulatory framework which tends to a uniform, flexible and harmonized market regulation. The uniformity of the process is reflected by the introduction of the same type of regulation for different types of networks and services, the so called technologically neutral treatment. The flexibility is defined by the fact that the regulation can be applied to the extent it is necessary. Where there is sufficient competition on relevant markets the specific regulation can be reduced, whereas a higher level of regulation will be applied in case of insufficient competition. Harmonization is realized by the use of unified rules throughout the European Community.

It should be mentioned that ANRCETI is an active participant to the negotiations between the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and European Commission experts, within Moldova – EU cooperation sub-committees, with the view of harmonizing the national legislation and the regulatory framework with the European norms and standards. ANRCETI is also engaged, together with European Commission experts, in the analysis of the electronic communications market developments, for the purpose of bringing it in line with EU norms.