Georgia’s Communications Commission considering EU recommendations for improving fixed internet market competitiveness

The National Communications Commission of Georgia on Friday discussed "specific obligations" proposed by European Union experts to address "non-competitive environment" in the domestic fixed internet market, with the measures intended to be imposed on the local mobile telecommunications operator MagtiCom.

The public meeting focused on results of a complex research analysis by EU experts of the telecom sector, with input from interested parties and companies, the body said.

The EU experts recommended access to the relevant elements of the telecommunications network, tariff regulation, transparency, prohibition of discrimination, and the presentation of separate accounting of expenses in order to foster a “fair and competitive” market environment in the country.

They also categorised Georgian settlements based on competitiveness and prescribed different obligations for MagtiCom in each group. In settlements with “extremely non-competitive” environment, experts deemed it necessary for the operator to comply with all five obligations, while in settlements with ”effective competition”, lighter obligations were suggested.

The Commission said the implementation of the obligations would not only attract new players to the fixed internet market but also strengthen existing players. The move is expected to create a competitive environment, it said, offering Georgian subscribers a “variety of choices and favourable conditions”, similar to those enjoyed by European subscribers.

The decision regarding the preliminary regulation and specific obligations in the fixed internet market is set to be announced on August 8.