06.02.2024

ANCOM has launched its action plan for 2024 for public consultation. This year, the Authority plans – inter alia – to continue projects concerning the technical and economic regulatory framework of electronic communications services, with particular focus on the strategic planning of the sector, as well as on mapping the availability of electronic communications services. Since Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council becomes mandatory in the Member States, ANCOM has planned actions regarding the application of this regulation and the elaboration of specific secondary legislation. Postal services will require specific actions, as the designation of the universal postal service provider expires at the end of 2024.

Regulations on electronic communications services

For mapping the availability of electronic communications services, the Authority aims to implement projects such as: publishing the list of areas without functional broadband internet services at a fixed location and conducting a study on determining the territorial coverage area of fixed public networks capable of providing broadband services.

Romanian citizens have the right to be ensured, to a reasonable extent, access to at least one functional broadband internet service over a fixed connection. In order to ensure this right, ANCOM will draw up a decision establishing the reasonableness criteria for providing this type of service, taking into account, as the case may be, the costs of installing the service, the positioning of the building in relation to a terrestrial communication route, the special geographical conditions, the housing situation of individuals, etc.

During 2024, ANCOM will finalize the 2026 regulatory strategy for electronic communications and will update the mobile network coverage map www.aisemnal.ro with the results of the 2024 campaign for measuring signal coverage.

Other projects provided in the draft action plan aim at updating the decision on collecting statistical data, reviewing the market for local access services provided at fixed locations, reviewing Decision no. 1023/2008 on the implementation of communications to the Single National Emergency Call System, as well as the establishment of indicative tariffs for access to some road physical infrastructures, the latter contributing to the continued implementation of the provisions of the Infrastructure Law.

Following the application of the Agreement on reducing tariffs for the provision of international roaming services and international calls between Romania and the neighboring country, assumed by the governments of the two states in February 2022, this year ANCOM will monitor and report on the developments registered in 2023, together with ANRCETI - the communications authority of the Republic of Moldova. 

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council

For the application of the European Regulation in Romania, a draft law has been laid down establishing the national legislative measures necessary for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Single Market for Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (DSA Regulation) in Romania. The DSA Regulation will be fully applicable in all EU member states as of 17 February 2024. The draft law is in the process of being adopted by the Parliament.

The Authority will develop secondary legislation on how to submit information regarding the notification of the providers of intermediary services, the complaint handling procedure, conditions and procedures for granting, suspending, terminating and revoking the capacity as trusted flagger and vetted researcher. Moreover, the general rules for carrying out inspections by ANCOM's control staff will be established, as well as the conditions and procedure for granting, terminating and revoking the certification of out-of-court dispute resolution bodies.

Regulations on postal services

In the postal services sector, the Authority is considering conducting a procedure for the designation of one or several universal service providers, given that the designation of the universal service provider in the field of postal services expires on 31 December 2024. Another project with an impact on the postal services sector aims to develop the regulatory strategy in the field of postal services 2025.

The draft action plan for 2024 also provides conducting a study on the implementation of self-service services for the delivery of postal items, a report on the quality of parcel services and the impact of e-commerce on the postal services market, as well as a report on the sector statistical indicators. Furthermore, the Authority will continue the project of monitoring the implementation of Regulation No. 2018/644 on cross-border parcel delivery by collecting and verifying statistical data and information transmitted by postal service providers. 

Administration and management of spectrum and numbering resources

In the field of administration and management of radio spectrum and numbering resources, the Authority has planned to develop a decision on the procedure regarding the allotment and assignment of codes allocated to Romania by international agreements, for radio communication stations, as well as to organize a public consultation on establishing the modality of licensing the frequency bands 1980-2010 MHz (Earth-space)/2170-2200 MHz (space-Earth) assigned to the mobile satellite service, after the expiry of the licenses granted to Inmarsat Ventures SE and Echostar Mobile Limited based on the European Commission’s Decision no. 2009/449/EC.

In the context of updating the general regulatory framework for communications in Romania, the Authority proposed to review the provisions of Decision no. 543/2017 on the certification of personnel operating radiocommunication stations. 

Public consultation process

ANCOM's Action Plan for 2024  is available, in Romanian, here. Interested persons can submit comments and suggestions no later than 20.02.2024, to the ANCOM headquarters (2 Delea Noua Street, sector 3, Bucharest), via the Online Registry or through the regional divisions of the Authority. Comments can also be sent by fax to +40 372 845 402 or by e-mail to consultare@ancom.ro.

Satisfaction assessment survey

ANCOM has launched a survey to assess the satisfaction of the end-users of communications services (electronic communications services and postal services) regarding the Authority’s activity, in order to better understand the users' needs and expectations, and thus to ensure adequate information on the communications market. The survey form is available until 29 February 2024, here.