Today, September 14, 2005, ANRC has launched for public consultation the document establishing the terms under which the providers of broadband communications services are allowed to conduct tests in the Romtelecom access network. These tests will provide for the evaluation of the VDSL compatibility with the other technologies used for the provision of Internet access services and will facilitate the implementation of this technology.
VDSL belongs to the digital technology family (xDSL) and can be easily installed on twisted metallic pair local loops, over relatively short distances, thus ensuring the highest data transfer rate (15-25 Mbps) for local loops of up to 1.1 km. VDSL allows the provision of high-speed Internet access services, digital television or video services upon request.
In July 2005, the Authority issued the ANRC President’s Decision no.1251/2005 on the adoption of the Management Plan for the Frequency Spectrum of the Local Loop and Sub-Loop, by which ANRC created the conditions for extending the activities of provision of broadband communications services by introducing the possibility that the providers of electronic communications services offer integrated services (voice, data, video), through the existing twisted metallic pair infrastructure (the Romtelecom network), similar to those provided through CATV networks (cable modem-based). The xDSL technologies within the Plan, by means of which these services are to be provided, use frequencies up to 2.2 MHz.
Taking into account the interest of part of the alternative providers in implementing the VDSL technology, which uses frequencies of up to 12 or even 30 MHz, ANRC deemed necessary that this technology be tested prior to its introduction in the Plan and implementation. Tests are required in order to evaluate the interferences that may occur between VDSL and xDSL (especially ADSL), as well as for assessing the VDSL compatibility with applications for radio amateurs or with audio-visual communications – which use the same frequency spectrum.
The tests for the implementation of VDSL technologies on the local loop and sub-loop of the Romtelecom network may be conducted by any provider of electronic communications networks or services (including Romtelecom), based on a set of documents to be submitted for evaluation to a working group consisting of representatives of ANRC, IGCTI and of the profile industry. During the test period, experimental access to high-speed Internet, multi-channel digital television or video services will be provided upon request. Upon the completion of the tests, the providers having requested the tests will send the working group a report on the test results. The working group will analyse the report and – if needed – will propose amendments to the management plan.
The explanatory memorandum on the on the testing conditions in the access network of „Romtelecom” – S.A for the purpose of evaluating VDSL technologies, is available on the ANRC website, The deadline for receiving suggestions and comments is October 14, 2005.
Comments and suggestions may be submitted by mail to the ANRC headquarters: 14 Libertatii Blvd., sector 5, Bucharest, as well as directly to the ANRC registration office or to the closest territorial offices of ANRC. Comments may be sent also by fax to: +40 21 307 54 02 or by e-mail to: consultare@anrc.ro
Additional information:
The local loop is the circuit between the port connecting a users’ telephone set to the main distribution frame of the operator’s exchange.
The local sub-loop is the local loop connecting an end-users’ telephone set to an intermediate access point on the way to the operator’s exchange.
The management plan for the frequency spectrum of the local loop and sub-loop sets out certain technical measures in view of limiting interference risk and ensuring the compatibility of the frequency spectrum for the services and technologies using twisted metallic pairs of the same cable. The management plan is valid for all the transmission systems implemented on the local loops of the Romtelecom network, irrespective of their implementation by Romtelecom or by other providers of public electronic communications networks or of publicly available electronic communications services.