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

On May 7, 2023, Sergiu Gaibu, Director of the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), took part in a videoconference with the ambassadors of the Republic of Moldova in the European Union countries and European Economic Area (EEA), organized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova.

During the meeting, Sergiu Gaibu presented the main provisions of the Declaration on Mutual Reduction of roaming rates, signed on May 31, 2023, by the mobile providers in Moldova - Moldcell, Orange Moldova and Moldtelecom and the operator groups from the EU and EEA – Orange Group, Deutsche telecom and Telefonica Group.

Also, the participants discussed the fundamental premises and objectives laying the basis for signing the Voluntary Declaration, as well as the necessary actions to increase the number of telecommunications operators in Europe to adhere to the Voluntary Declaration on Reduction of Roaming Rates and, respectively, the increase in the number of countries where the reduced roaming rates will apply.

In their turn, the ambassadors welcomed the signing of the Voluntary Declaration between the operators, expressed their support for the process of expanding the number of signatory operators, thus specifying the interaction mechanisms, participation in possible bilateral discussions and expert support from ANRCETI.

Note that as a result of the signing of the Voluntary Declaration between the operators, the timeline of October 1, 2023 was set for the negotiation of the roaming rate reduction plan, which will be implemented starting from January 1, 2024. At the moment, the signatory operators of the Voluntary Declaration cover approx. 12 EU countries. The May 7 event and ANRCETI's collaboration with Government institutions and Diplomatic Missions are aimed at expanding the list of signatory operators and expanding the number of countries where roaming services will be offered at reduced rates.