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

During 2013, the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) entered 59 entrepreneurs into the Public Register of electronic communications network and service providers, who obtained, based on general authorization regime, the right to operate in this sector. The number of registered entrepreneurs increased over 2012 by 2,6% and reached 512 on 31.12.2013.

In 2013, ANRCETI had been applying, pursuant to the Law on Electronic Communications, the general authorization for electronic communications activities for 5 years. The procedure replaced the former system of licensing telecommunications activities in 2008.

The general authorization regime requires that the person or entity intending to provide publicly available electronic communications networks and/or services submit a notification to ANRCETI and can start operation. ANRCETI, within 7 days after receipt of notification must issue a standard informative declaration to the applicant, to confirm notification and registration in the Public Register of electronic communications network and service providers, as well as the general authorization conditions, providing for the rights and obligations. Unlike the former licensing system, the general authorization procedure is free of charge, while the right to provide networks and services is granted for an unlimited period.

Of the total number of 512 providers registered in the Public Register, 229 (44.7%) are new entrants to the electronic communications market and 283 (55.3%) – providers that previously operated under the licenses obtained by 2008, under the Law on Telecommunications in force at the time, and then regained the right to operate on the market under the new general authorization regime. The absolute majority of providers have the right to provide both publicly available electronic communications networks and services. The most requested types of activity are Internet access networks and services, audiovisual program retransmission and data transmissions.

In the five years since the general authorization for electronic communications activities has been applied, 133 providers were excluded from the Public Register, based on their requests, for the reason of inactivity.

January 13, 2014