“The rules of the game in the broadcasting market have been established. After having completed the consultation process, we adopted the first regulations for this market, we designated SNR as an operator with significant market power (SMP) and we will impose on it obligations that will lead to the removal of the competition deficiencies identified in this market”, Liviu Nistoran, the ANC President, stated.
The decision on identifying the relevant markets for the analogue terrestrial broadcasting transmission of public radio and television programme services was sent for publication in the Romanian Official Journal, on 3 March 2009, and will become effective on the publication date. Following the entry into force of this decision, ANC will communicate SNR the decision regarding its designation as an SMP operator on this market and the corresponding remedies.
The market surveys revealed that there are indications of potential competition deficiencies in this sector, mainly due to the monopoly position held by SNR on the market of broadcasting transmission services for the purpose of delivering public television and radio programmes by the Romanian Television and Radio Companies (SRTV and SRR).
ANC will impose on SNR the obligations of tariff control and cost-orientation. Thus, ANC will launch for consultation and adopt a regulation on the development of a cost calculation model, whereas SNR is to develop and implement this costing model within one year from the adoption date. Until the costing model is implemented, SNR will have right to increase its tariffs for the regulated services, once and only upon ANC’s prior approval.
The markets for the analogue terrestrial broadcasting transmission of public radio and television programme services include the initial analogue terrestrial broadcasting of public audiovisual programme services at a national and local level, the transport of these services through electronic communications networks and the final transmission, in their integrality and without modification, in view of their reception by the end-users. ANC identified three relevant markets susceptible to be regulated, depending on the different characteristics of the provision of television programme services, respectively of radio programme services.