24.01.2012

 

ANCOM and the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MapN), as initiators, have submitted today to public consultation the draft Emergency Ordinance on the release of the 830-862 MHz, 1747.5-1785 MHz, 1842.5-1880 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz frequency bands. These bands, which are now partially used by MApN, are to be auctioned by ANCOM in view of the provision of broadband electronic communications services. ANCOM seeks thus to enhance the competition in the communications market in order to provide the consumers with more choices and to extend the access to these services in the rural areas and in the areas where the roll out of electronic communications fixed networks is difficult or economically inefficient.

The MApN release of these bands means changing the destination and refarming these bands, and this is only possible upon shifting the existing applications (military radio-electric systems allocated to the aeronautical radionavigation services, radiocommunications for the command and control of military forces and the surveillance of Romania’s aerial space) to other radio frequency bands. The refarming of these frequency bands requires a series of costs generated by the purchase of new equipment items and their installation in view of continuing to fulfil the duties incumbent on MApN or on its subordinated units, according to the law. It is therefore essential that MApN benefits from a sufficient time horizon to purchase and install the new equipment, as well as from the necessary financial resources to release these radio frequency bands.

MApN has evaluated the costs incurred by the change of destination or refarming of these bands to EUR 93 million, in the case of the 830-862 MHz band, EUR 130.2 million, in the case of the 2500-2690 MHz band, and EUR 11.2 million, in the case of the 1747.5-1785 MHz and 1842.5-1880 MHz bands.

These costs will be partly covered from the ANCOM budget (from the revenues achieved from the tariff charged by ANCOM for the use of spectrum), i.e. an amount equal to the equivalent in RON of EUR 30 million. This amount will be paid within 15 days from the date of approval of its payment from the budget of incomes and expenditures. The remaining amount of the estimated costs will be borne from the licence fee charged from each of the winners of the selection procedures ANCOM will hold in order to award the rights to use the radio frequencies in the bands released by MApN. This measure of cost compensation will ensure that the government services will continue to function and will enable Romania to fulfil the attributions deriving from its capacity as a NATO Member.

According to the deadlines proposed under the draft ordinance, MApN will release the bands within maximum six months from the payment of the amounts provided for in the draft normative act.

The technical conditions related to the release of the bands, as well as other relevant details will be established under a protocol to be concluded between ANCOM and MApN.

The draft emergency ordinance is available for consultation on the ANCOM website, here. The interested persons are invited to send their comments and suggestions to the ANCOM headquarters in 2 Delea Noua Street, Bucharest 3, or directly to the ANCOM Registry Office. Comments and recommendations may also be sent by fax to +40.732.845.404 or by e-mail to consultare@ancom.org.ro.