On Thursday, March 2, 2006, the National Regulatory Authority for Communications (ANRC) organised, at its headquarters, the opening of the offers for the installation of telecentres in the 70 rural localities listed in the tender launched in December 2005.
The companies who submitted offers for the installation of telecentres in the 23 counties are: S.C. Euroweb S.A., S.C. Orange Romania S.A., S.C. Parlatel S.A., S.C. Radiocomm S.R.L., S.C. Rartel S.R.L. and the National Company Radiocomunicatii S.A.
ANRC will analyse the offers submitted by the 6 providers and – by April 3, 2006 – is to designate a universal service provider for each of the 70 localities. Each of these universal service providers will have the obligation to install, in the locality or localities for which it has been designated, one telecentre where all the inhabitants of the respective villages may have access to telephone, facsimile and Internet services.
The main criterion to be taken into consideration by ANRC in the designation of the winning offers is the net cost (the requested subsidization) for the installation of the access link and of the equipments. Nevertheless, there are additional criteria in the designation procedure:
– previous experience in providing the services within the scope of universal service envisaged by this bidding process or in providing other electronic communications services;
– amount of the retail tariffs to be charged within the telecentre;
– the solution for access to emergency call services;
– provision of additional services;
– provision of additional equipments (e.g.: copier);
– the deadline for commissioning the telecentre.
The financial proposal will amount to 70% of the overall score of each offer.
The net cost for the installation of the telecentres, as well as for the purchase and insurance of the equipments to be installed shall be compensated by ANRC from the universal service fund. The telecentres are to be available by the end of August 2006.
Additional Information
The designation of the universal service providers who have the obligation to install telecentres is part of a national multi-annual plan launched by ANRC in 2004. This plan aims to ensure access to a minimum set of electronic communications services (telephone, facsimile and Internet services) for the rural communities where these services feature a low penetration degree. In 2005, 5 telecentres were commissioned. Following the 2005 tender, 5 universal service providers were designated to install telecentres, until May 2006, in 33 rural localities with low telephone coverage. The companies to be designated as universal service providers in the second tender will have the obligation to install the telecentres by the end of August 2006. All the providers who participated in the two tenders and were designated to install telecentres will benefit from the partnership of the local authorities. The main responsibilities undertaken by the local authorities include the followings: making available the telecentre space, utilities, security, maintenance and equipment operation, as well as the end-users’ invoice issuance. (read more…)