Policy Statement of Romania
by Dan Nica

Liberalizing the telecommunications sector by January 1st, 2003 is a firm commitment that the Romanian Government has made, along with the decision to accelerate the transition to Information Society and to the knowledge-based economy, in order to reduce the digital divide, improve the life standard of the Romanian citizens and increase the overall competitiveness of the Romanian economy.

The Romanian Government recognized communications and information technology as a national priority, as the development of IT&C can stimulate economic growth, it can guarantee the respect of fundamental human rights and provide the infrastructure for a new, modern society. The communications sector has provided several success stories in Romania, by fostering foreign investment, further economic development and democracy. Many new opportunities will be offered in the perspective of the full opening of the market, in 2003. Operators are already taking major steps in order to position themselves for this outstanding event and many investors, Romanian as well as foreign, expect it with great interest.

But all reforms, especially in the public sector, require a clear vision, leadership and a considerable amount of effort to bring about systemic changes in organizations so that their performance is improved and they create better ways of delivering services to the public, whether it is to the business community or the civil society.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) was created in Romania at the beginning of year 2001 as a new structure designed to ensure the coordination of the large reform process planned for the IT&C sector and the decisional power indispensable for the timely accomplishment of all the measures intended. Thus, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was entrusted with the role to implement the policy of the Government in the field of telecommunications and information technology and to elaborate the strategy necessary for the accomplishment of the goals of this policy.

The policy of the Romanian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was focused on the two main areas of the sector, communications and information technology, but has also taken into account the convergence between these two, a tendency more and more present all over the world.

One of the most important issues that MCIT has concentrated on was the regulatory framework for this sector. To give consistency to the commitments of the Romanian Government, MCIT promoted a reform program in communications, the end result of which was the establishment of a legislative framework fully harmonized with the latest provisions of the European Union acquis in this field, but also adapted to the specific conditions of the Romanian market and to the international tendencies.

MCIT has drafted a consistent regulatory package that has undergone sessions of public consultation, open to the service providers and users alike, and was then submitted to and approved by the Romanian Parliament. In the spirit of convergence, the new comprehensive concept of electronic communications was to replace and include the classic concept of telecommunications. Under a unique cover of electronic communications network, satellite networks, electricity cable systems - to the extent that they are used for the purpose of transmitting signals -, fixed (circuit-and packet-switched, including Internet) and mobile terrestrial networks, networks used for radio and television broadcasting, and cable TV networks, irrespective of the type of information conveyed, will all be treated in an identical manner.

The objective of the new legislation was to create a modern regulatory framework for the Romanian telecommunications sector, fully capable of supporting the transition of the Romanian market from monopoly to competition. One of the key elements of this framework was the setting up of the Romanian regulatory authority in the field of electronic communications and postal services.

The National Regulatory Authority for Communications (ANRC) was set up as a public institution in the structure of the Government, with the role to implement the national policy in the field of electronic communications and postal services. It enjoys the status of structural, operational and financial independence in relation with both MCIT, as the entity that exercises the rights deriving from the state's position as a shareholder in the national fixed telephony operator, and the market players.

ANRC has attributions in the management of the numbering resources for electronic communication services by the elaboration of the national numbering plan, is to elaborate and adopt technical norms, and initiate national standards and it will be the arbiter and the decision-making body for the settlement of the disputes between the providers of networks and services in the field of electronic communications and postal services, with a view to ensuring the free competition and the protection of the interests of the users.

The objectives of the National Regulatory Authority include the promotion of transparency in the relations between the providers and their users. ANRC ensures the conditions for the Romanian citizens to exercise their right of access to universal service, and will also promote media convergence and technological neutrality, cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as media pluralism.

ANRC has the obligation to exercise its attributions in a transparent and impartial way and to maintain its operational and financial independence from the providers of electronic communications networks and services, the manufacturers of equipments intended for the provision of electronic communications networks and services and the providers of postal services.

The Romanian Government has elaborated a coherent long-term (10 years) strategy for the development of the Information Society and has created the first solid projects, which are closely monitored and tailored to the specific needs of Romania. In March 2001, the Promoting Group for Information Technology was set up, an IT task force led by the Prime Minister and having as members another seven Ministers. This task force ensures a coherent and coordinated approach for the implementation of the Information Society in Romania, having as main tasks the elaboration of the strategy and the approval of all major projects in the field of information technology and communications initiated by public institutions, initiated by or benefiting to national companies or by companies where the state is a major shareholder.

The implementation of e-Government applications was on the agenda of every meeting of the IT task force and over 50 pilot projects were approved up to now. The extension of the e-Procurement system to national use by governmental institutions has proved to be a success, bringing along average economies of 25% as compared to public acquisitions expenditures in the traditional system. The payment of local taxes via the Internet is the next national e-Government project, and the effective use of e-Tax systems will be possible in every city in Romania by mid 2003.

The Government of Romania decided to initiate the use of new technologies within its own structures, approaching the e-Government concept with enthusiasm and determination. Improving the internal operation of State services by offering electronic services and digital content to the citizens and business community, the public institutions actively foster the development of Information Society in Romania.

It is the role of Governments to put the interest of their citizens above every other issue, and in its activity in the IT&C field the Romanian Government has struggled to focus on the users as much as on the providers and the technical issues. Citizens look to technology for ways in which they can improve their lives. In that respect, digital content, online services and applications are decisive. Among the means by which Governments can make a difference for their people, content development is as important as allowing for new technologies to develop.

Research and development, setting up co-operation for different work areas using computer and global communication systems, involvement in international educational and research projects also play a key-role in the national IT&C development strategy of Romania. The evolution of technology is essential in the advancement of every society, and the Romanian Government has now opened the door to the next generation of communications. The Romanian market is now open for 3G.

Romania has learned from the experience of others, who have tackled this issue in the last years, that 3G does not have to be considered as an elite solution, but rather as a mass technology which allows for a truly universally accessible Internet, making the network available anywhere, anytime by anyone. A realistic model, carefully applied to the market can have spectacular results, especially on an emerging market as the Romanian one, 3G being the ideal platform for e-Government development and the dissemination of democratic and pro-active practices.

January 2003 will find our country ready to reap the benefits of complete liberalization, with businesses prepared for the challenges of a competitive market, citizens familiarized with their rights and having an ever increasing level of expectation where services and tariffs are concerned, and an administration that has acknowledged that economic competitiveness requires embracing IT&C and employing them in the current dealings with the public. Reform is far from over in the Romanian communications and information technology sector, but we have the will and the capacity to continue these processes and successfully conclude the building of a new economy and Information Society.