Strategy of efficient Frequency Usage in the Republic of Moldova. Digital Dividend and Transition to Digital TV Regional Meeting on Mobile Communications Spectrum Harmonisation 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)

General Spectrum 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). 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 MHz band is planned to be used for mobile services The planned release 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: 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 MHz – 1 license of a 50 MHZ frequency block. The auction is planned till end of More licenses in bands 1800MHz, 2.1 GHz, GHz, GHz to be planned after approval of Frequency Strategy

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