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

The fragmentation of functions related to spectrum management, the lack of a clear policy and principles in this area, meant to guide the planning and solving important issues in terms of spectrum, in particular connected to the transition to digital television, to the implementation of strategies for broadband and other technologies and services creates impediments to the efficient use of spectrum, a factor that hampers the economic growth of the Republic of Moldova.

This is one of the conclusions, made in a Report about the institutional aspects of spectrum management in the Republic of Moldova, prepared by the visiting international experts Martin Cave (UK) and Adrian Foster (Canada), consultants within the technical assistance project „Communications Regulatory Development” that is currently delivered to the National Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI). The report was presented and discussed on Tuesday, February 8, during a workshop held at the Agency and attended by officials from ANRCETI, the Ministries of Economy, Information Technology and Communications (MITC), Broadcasting Coordinating Council (BCC), National Radio Frequency Center (NRFS), the Association of Private ICT Companies, operators and independent experts.

The report provides the assessment of the current situation in R. Moldova compared to best European practice, the analysis of future challenges, recommendations as to the authorities in the area and measures for improving spectrum management. The authors, who conducted the workshop, concluded: the existing institutional structure in the spectrum area (State Radio Frequency Commission, MITC, ANRCETI, NRFS and BCC) does not correspond to international practice, is inefficient and hinders the management of spectrum resources, which directly affects the social and economic development of the country.

They recommended two ways to optimize spectrum management: first - institutional restructuring, realignment of responsibilities and creation of a renewed regulatory structure; second - launching policy and planning initiatives in order to set a framework for increasing the economic, technical and social benefits deriving from spectrum use. Since the first way requires legislative changes and will take time, the experts insisted on the need to develop, for a short, the strategy and policies for use of spectrum, the procedures for cooperation between the institutions involved in spectrum management, in order to have better planning, cooperation and coordination, to develop new ways in which different sectors can be encouraged to increase efficiency of wireless services by means better access, flexibility and innovation. In the opinion of the two experts, the best solution is to combine the realignment of responsibilities in the authorities in this area by implementing a plan of action for policy of spectrum use.

The „Communications Regulatory Development” project is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and implemented by the Great Village International Consultants (GVIC) from Canada in a consortium with other four consultancy companies. The project was launched in 2009 and aims at providing ANRCETI with due assistance in the implementation of the Law on Electronic Communications and harmonization of the national regulatory practices with the EU norms and standards.

Photo Gallery

February 9, 2011