On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, the National Regulatory Authority for Communications (ANRC) organised, at its headquarters, the opening of the offers for the installation of telecentres in 40 rural localities.
The bidders were: Euroweb Romania, Mobifon, Orange România, Rartel, Romtelecom and SN Radiocomunicatii.
ANRC will analyse the offers submitted by the 6 providers and – by November 18, 2005, at the latest – will designate a universal service provider for each of the 40 localities. A universal service provider will have the obligation to install, in the locality or localities for which it has been designated, one telecentre where all the inhabitants of the respective villages will have access to telephone, facsimile and Internet services.
The main criterion to be taken into consideration by ANRC for the designation of the winning offers is the net cost (the requested subsidization) for the installation of the access link and of the equipments. Nevertheless, there are additional criteria in the designation procedure:
– previous experience in providing services within the scope of universal service envisaged by this bidding process or in providing other electronic communications services;
– retail tariffs to be charged within the telecentre;
– the solution for access to emergency call services;
– provision of additional services;
– provision of additional equipments (e.g.: copier);
– deadline for commissioning the telecentre.
The financial proposal will amount to 70% of the overall score of each offer.
The net cost for the installation of the telecentre, as well as for the purchase and insurance of the equipments to be installed shall be compensated by ANRC from the universal service fund. The telecentres are to be installed by the end of March 2006.
Additional Information
The designation of the universal service providers who have the obligation to install telecentres is part of a national multi-annual plan launched by ANRC in 2004. This plan aims to ensure access to a minimum set of electronic communications services (telephone, facsimile and Internet services) for the rural communities where these services feature a low penetration degree. The companies to be designated as universal service providers in the 40 localities will benefit from the partnership of the local authorities. The latter have already concluded a pre-contract with ANRC, and committed themselves to participating in the implementation of universal service by ensuring the management and full payment of the local operation of the telecentre to be installed in their locality. The main responsibilities undertaken by the local authorities include: making available the telecentre space, utilities, security, maintenance and equipment operation, as well as the end-users’ invoice issuance. (read more…)