Strategy of efficient Frequency Usage in the Republic of

Moldova. Digital Dividend and Transition to Digital TV

Regional Meeting on Mobile Communications Spectrum Harmonisation

29-30 March 2012, Intercontinental Hotel, Bucharest

General

Moldova – country perspective

• Moldova is an Eastern European Country bordering Romania and Ukraine

• Pursuing European Integration and negotiating the candidate status to EU.

• GDP per capita is 3000 USD

• Population – 3.5 million (cca 4.5 mil with Transnistria region)

GeneralSpectrum management principles Moldova

• Law of Electronic Communications (2007) is complying to EU directives 21, 19, 20, 22/2002, 676/2002.

• Ministry of Information Technology and Communications is policy making body.

• State Radio Frequency Commission – is responsible for allocation of frequency bands on a national level and adoption of National Frequency Allocation Table (NFAT). http://www.cnfr.md/files/files/TNABF_eng_2010.doc

http://cept.org/eco/eco-tools-and-services/efis-eco-frequency-information-system/national-frequency-tables

• Radio Frequency Center – is responsible for technical management of radio spectrum allocated via NFAT for nongovernmental users.

• Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and IT is licensing and controlling body.

• Coordinating Council on Audiovisual – is licensing and controlling body TV and Radio Broadcasters

Current Situation

Spectrum usage by mobile cellular operators

• 450 MHz – CDMA operator (Moldtelecom)

• 900 MHz – 3 GSM operators (Orange Moldova, Moldcell (part of TeliaSonera), Eventis (license suspended due to bankruptcy)

• 1800 MHz – 1 GSM operator (Orange Moldova)

• 2100 MHZ – 3 UMTS operators (Orange Moldova, Moldcell (part of Telia Sonera), Moldtelecom)

Frequency Strategy

Strategy of Frequency Management is under development:

• Improving the coverage of the country

• Introduction of frequency neutrality

• Improving the competition in the industry

• Increasing efficiency of spectrum usage

• Creating clear position on extension the current licenses for 900/1800 MHz (due in 2013/ 14).

Frequency Strategy

Frequency Neutrality

• National Frequency Allocation Table is under revision to include neutrality principles in 900 and 1800 MHz frequency bands

• Current 900/1800 MHz licenses are technology oriented

• Further licensees will be given on technology neutral basis, as well as prolongation of current 900/1800 MHz licenses

• Law of Electronic Communications (2007) needs to be updated for compliancy

Digital TV plan

Draft Digital TV implementation program is under approval

• Usage of 3 multiplexes by the State Enterprise Radiocommunicatii in 2012 – while 3 multiplexes can be licensed out later

• Providing national channels in 1 multiplex at a first stage.

• Providing of subsidized STB for disadvantaged families

Digital Dividend

• After transition to the Digital TV the 790-862 MHz band is planned to be used for mobile services

• The planned release 2014-2015

• 3 operators of 2х10 MHz frequency block per operator can be deployed in that band

Current licensing & Future plans

4 licenses are being planned to be granted in 2012:

• 2500-2690 MHz – 3 licenses for 2x20 MHz frequency block per operator to be offered to existing mobile operators for fixed price of 8 MUSD valid till end of 2012.

• 3600-3800 MHz – 1 license of a 50 MHZ frequency block. The auction is planned till end of 2012.

• More licenses in bands 1800MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.5-2.69 GHz, 3.4-3.6GHz to be planned after approval of Frequency Strategy

Thank you for your attention !

gordea.stanislav@registru.mdimadan@cnfr.md