“In June 2005, there were more than 522,000 connections for access to broadband Internet services; approximately 160,000 of these were provided by means of coaxial cable, which is the widest used support for high-speed Internet through dedicated connections. These figures feature a significant rising trend, thus proving the success of the cable operators’ strategies oriented towards integrated services. Promising development prospects arise, given the fact that 63.55% of the urban households and 24.08% of the rural households are connected to cable networks, which ensures a relatively high growth potential for cable operators”, the ANRC Vice-president, Ms. Alexandrina Hirtan, declared today, November 15, 2005, during the opening session of the Cable Communications Convention.
The prospectives for development of successful business on the cable communications market are enhanced by the regulatory framework created by ANRC. This regulatory framework aims to foster competition and encourage effective investments in infrastructure. The new cost-oriented interconnection tariffs imposed on Romtelecom in October represent an incentive for the providers of services of audio-visual programmes re-transmission offering integrated packages to devise more competitive offers. The same beneficial effect on the development of competition will be triggered by the cost-orientation of the tariffs for interconnection with the mobile networks. To this end, ANRC has announced preparations for launching the public consultation on the maximum interconnection tariffs to be charged by the mobile operators Mobifon and Orange Romania. The cable operators without an extensive access network of their own will be able to provide fixed telephone services upon concluding an agreement for access to the Romtelecom local loop, under the terms established by ANRC. Some of these operators have already concluded such access agreements and will have the opportunity to develop their business under better auspices, after the close entry into force of the new ANRC regulations. These regulations will provide for greater transparency and for a more accurate implementation of the non-discrimination principle in the relationships between Romtelecom and the operators requiring access to the local loop.
Moreover, the ANRC Vice-president pointed out that the development of CATV networks will be further stimulated by the adoption of the draft law on the regime of the communications network infrastructure. This law will enable ANRC to settle the disputes regarding the limitation of the CATV providers’ access to infrastructure elements (masts, ducts, pillars etc.) owned by electronic communications operators or by public utility providers – power line, public transport companies etc.
“Under the same law, cable operators will be allowed to install their networks on public property under transparent and non-discriminatory conditions. The local administration authorities will have the obligation to publish the access conditions, including tariffs, which must be justified and proportionate, providing for recovery of costs, not for profit”, Ms. Alexandrina Hirtan also declared.
The agenda of the 10th Cable Communications Convention, held during November 15 -16, 2005, encompasses topics related to the stage of competition in the field, regulatory activities and best practices in the cable industry.