The National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) submits for public consultation the draft decision on the procedure for granting the first two licences for the use of radio frequencies in the digital terrestrial television system, part of the first stage of the switchover from analogue television to digital terrestrial television.
According to the ANCOM Decision, the licences for the use of frequencies in the 470 – 862 MHz band in view of operating the two national multiplexes of digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) in Romania are granted by means of distinct comparative selection procedures. The interested persons may submit offers for both selection procedures organised by ANCOM.
The draft decision ANCOM has launched for public consultation today follows the adoption of the Government Decision whereby the conditions, licence fees and type of procedure for granting licences in view of digital switchover were established.
In order to designate the winners of the first two licences for the use of radio frequencies in the digital terrestrial television system, both the phases preceding and the phases of the selection procedures must be underwent. The detailed schedule of the selection procedures phases will be established by ANCOM in the Terms of Reference, to be published following the adoption of the Decision launched today for public consultation.
The phases preceding the selection procedures organised by ANCOM include:
a) the publishing of the draft Terms of Reference in view of consultation;
b) the transmission of comments relating to the content of the Terms of Reference;
d) the publishing of the notice of participation in the organised selection procedures.
After completing these steps, ANCOM will proceed with the following phases of the selection procedures in view of granting the first two national multiplexes:
a) the purchase of the Terms of Reference by the interested persons;
b) the submission of the clarification requests and transmission of responses to these requests;
d) the offer assessment;
e) the communication of the offer assessment results;
f) the dispute settlement.
The procedure will be completed with the designation of the winner and the granting of the licences for the use of frequencies. The Audiovisual National Council (CNA) will then grant the digital audiovisual licences for radio-broadcasters. The switchover process will continue with the granting of four regional digital multiplexes, upon undergoing the same phases as those described above.
The draft decision is available for consultation on the ANCOM website, here. The interested persons are invited to send their comments and suggestions, by 10.06.2010, at the ANCOM headquarters in 2 Delea Noua Street, Bucharest 3, directly to the Registry or by means of the Authority’s regional divisions. Comments and recommendations may also be sent by fax to +40 732 845 404 or by e-mail to consultare@ancom.org.ro.