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

Today, December 10th, the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) announces an auction for a license to authorize the use of 3750 - 3800 MHz, for the provision of publicly available electronic communications broadband radio access networks and services. Interested persons are invited to submit applications for participation in the auction and the related documents, as required in the Auction Procedure and the Terms of Reference (docs in state language) before February 18, 2013, 16.00 p.m., in sealed envelopes, at ANRCETI Office address: 134, Stefan cel Mare bd., MD-2012, Chisinau municipality.

The Auction shall admit for participation: legal entities from the Republic of Moldova and legal entities from abroad, civil societies/legal entity associations from the Republic of Moldova and/or from abroad, for the purpose of joint applications and bids. The auction shall take place in four stages: (1) presentation of applications/dossiers, (2) qualification of candidates, (3) auction, (4) designation of a winner. 

The candidates must meet a number of eligibility criteria, with reference to professional and financial capacity. They will be required to prove that are properly specialized and experienced in installation, operation, maintenance of public electronic communications networks and services and in service provisions via these networks or in the production and marketing of radio equipment or equipment which include radio modules for data transmission. The candidate’s experience in the field must be at least 15 years and the annual turnover - minimum of 10 million euro in the past three years or since its foundation, if founded less than three years ago. At the same time, the candidate must provide proof of holding enough equity to install a public electronic communications network for the provision of publicly available electronic communications services. Otherwise, he must prove that his shareholders and/or finance suppliers are willing to provide the necessary financial resources, by presenting a written commitment.

For the purpose of the auction, ANRCETI shall appoint the Auction Commission, entitled to review the dossiers, to take decisions on qualification and to present the results to ANRCETI Administrative Board for approval. According to ANRCETI plan, qualified candidates shall be notified thereof on February 25, 2013, the auction shall be launched on March 21, 10.00 a.m. and the results shall be made publicly available on March 28. 

According to Government Decree no. 365 (doc. in state language) of 06.06.2012 on development of public electronic communications broadband radio access networks and services, the license fee for the use of 3750 - 3800 MHz radio frequency sub-band shall be determined during the auction, the minimum price for it starting with 1 million euro.

The license shall be granted for 15 years. According to Special License Conditions, the license holder shall have to ensure the provision of a minimum set of public data transmission services and launch these services before one year expires since the license is issued. The license holder shall have the right to use any technology available, declared during the auction, provided that it does not contradict the obligations of compliance with the technical and operational conditions, set in the Terms of Reference.

As a rule, the 3600 - 3800 MHz spectrum is used for the WiMax technology (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), which ensures fast access to Internet via radio waves at long distances. ANRCETI consider that the issuance of such a license will contribute to inviting investments for the development of new Internet access technologies and will enhance competition on the market for broadband Internet access, in particular for services in rural areas.

December 10, 2012