“WiMAX is one of the most recent developments in communications and, in this domain, Romania has proved its openness for new, state-of-the-art technologies. Considering the current 1,2 million broadband connections in Romania, at a 5.5% penetration at the population level, WiMAX may trigger a major change in the broadband offer in our country. Thus, for 2007, we estimate a 10% broadband penetration rate that would bring us closer to the European average of 14.1%”, Dan Georgescu, President of the National Regulatory Authority for Communications and Information Technology, declared today during the opening session of the conference “WiMAX in the telecom competition”, organised by Finmedia.
Dan Georgescu presented our country’s status as regards the number of Internet broadband connections compared to the other European countries, the opportunities that WiMAX brings as a support to the increase of broadband penetration in Romania, as well as the necessity for implementing the broadband strategy. WiMAX represents a possible solution for ensuring broadband Internet access and telephony to the remote rural areas, where access to communications services is low.
The participants to the event debated issues related to the spectrum allocation and to adapting the regulations in order to support this technology, but also aspects regarding wireless access to broadband communications, main technical challenges of WiMAX and granting licenses for the use of scarce natural resources.
The main themes of the conference, supported through presentations, interactive discussions and practical demonstrations, were Examining and understanding the market, Regulations for the global dynamics of wireless broadband, Technology, Business Models.
The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry for Communications and Information Technology, the National Regulatory Authority for Communications and Information Technology and the Inspectorate General for Communications and Information Technology.
The industry was well represented by providers of publicly available telephone services, manufacturers and providers of telecommunications equipment, as well as by beneficiaries of communications services.