Yesterday, 5 February 2009, 17.00 hrs. was the deadline for submitting offers in the process of granting two licences for the use of radio frequencies in view of providing electronic communications services by means of the broadband wireless access (BWA) systems. None of the six companies that had purchased the Terms of Reference submitted any offers.
“Signals from the market indicate that the main problem with these frequencies is their price, which the operators find too high. We will propose the Government a lower licence fee and then re-launch the granting process, as soon as possible”, the ANC President, Mr. Liviu Nistoran declared.
The implementation of BWA systems at the national level enable the use of a technological solution which could substantially contribute to the development of broadband communications, facilitate access to broadband Internet in the disfavoured, poor or remote areas, as well as improve the efficiency of the radio spectrum use.
ANC organised the tender based on the Government Emergency Ordinance no.18/2008 regarding some steps for refarming the frequency spectrum within the 3600-3800 MHz range and on the Government Decision no. 638/200 on establishing the amount of the licence fee for the use of frequencies within the 3600 – 3800 MHz range.
Six companies bought the Terms of Reference: Asesoft International, Comcore Management, Cosmote Romanian Mobile Telecommunications, Media Sat, RCS & RDS and Vodafone Romania.