The Romanian National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) submits to public consultation a series of measures which concern the implementation of the strategy and action plan for awarding the frequency usage rights in the 3400-3800 MHz band, as well as the determination of the tariff due for the use of this spectrum. The Authority proposes to temporarily extend, until 31 December 2015, the usage rights in the 3400-3600 MHz band, upon payment to the state budget of a licence fee of EUR 116,000 per licence.
At present, there are nine licences for the use of radio frequencies awarded for the 3400-3600 MHz band, whereby 2×7 MHz radio channels are allotted at a national level. Before the expiration date of the currently held rights, the holders of these licences will be able to request the extension of their validity period until 31.12.2015, upon paying to the state budget a licence fee of EUR 116,000, in two even instalments, until 31 October 2013, respectively 28 November 2014.
As per the documents submitted to public consultation, the 3400-3600 MHz band will be available inclusively for nomadic wireless access – NWA applications, at the request of the licence holders therefor.
Furthermore, the Authority intends to hold a selection procedure in 2014 in view of awarding the radio frequency usage rights for the entire spectrum ranging between 3400 MHz and 3800 MHz. The usage rights will become effective as of 1 January 2016 and will allow the provision of BWA (broadband wireless access) applications, without any other additional conditions concerning the use of spectrum.
The Authority’s intentions related to the 3400-3600 MHz band, respectively the 3600-3800 MHz band, were previously presented in the Strategy Paper on the national implementation and development of BWA systems, following the public consultation carried in 2011.
“We chose this approach in order to support the holders of radio frequency usage rights by offering them enhanced predictability with regard to the possibilities available to them. Moreover, the temporary extension of the usage rights is an intermediate step necessary in view of the harmonisation of the 3400-3600 MHz band use at the EU level, which will eventually lead to the adoption and application of appropriate standards by the equipment manufacturers”, the President of ANCOM, Mr. Catalin Marinescu, said.
In the context of the temporary extension of the usage rights and of the selection procedure to be held in 2014, ANCOM also proposes to review the spectrum tariff which must be paid for the use of the 3400-3600 MHz band, respectively the 3600-3800 MHz band.
Considering that the usage rights in the 3400-3600 MHz band expire this September, the Authority deems that the proposed measures should be adopted as a matter of emergency and therefore the draft normative acts are submitted to public consultation for a 10-day period, pursuant to the provisions of art. 135 paragraph (3) of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 111/2011.
The documents are available for consultation on the ANCOM website, here. The interested persons are invited to send their comments and suggestions, by 20.09.2013, at the ANCOM headquarters in 2 Delea Noua Street, Bucharest 3, or directly to the ANCOM Registry Office. Comments may also be sent by fax to +40.372.845.404 or by e-mail to consultare@ancom.org.ro.