National Radiocommunication Company, sole winner in digital television tender

Following the final round of the digital television tender, which took place on June 10, the National Radiocommunication Company (SNR) won three multiplexes for EUR 1,020,002, representing the license tax, as announced by the national telecom watchdog ANCOM.

RCS&RDS and SNR were the two candidates in the tender.

The first two primary rounds took place on Thursday, and an additional round was held on Friday.

SNR won the “free to air” multiplex and other two multiplexes in the UHF (ultra-high-frequency) bandwidth.

The license tax should be paid over the next 90 calendar days, after which ANCOM will grant it the licenses which will allow to operate the three national multiplexes.

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In the case of the “free to air” multiplex, SNR must transmit in transparent, fair and non-discriminatory conditions the public and private TV channels whch are currently broadcast in terrestrial analogue system, in conformity with the stipulations of the Audio-visual Law.

This multiplex will provide fixed reception coverage of 90 percent of the population and 80 percent of the territory until December 31, 2016.

In the case of the other two acquired UHF multiplexes, by May 2017, SNR should install at least 36 reception stations for each of the corresponding networks installed in each area.

The licenses are granted for ten years and will come into force starting June 17, 2015.

In 2006, Romania committed, along with another 102 countries from Europe, Africa and Asia, to switch from analog cable to digital terrestrial television before June 17, 2015. Romania will be among the last European countries to make this transition.

The strategy for the digital switchover and the national implementation of digital multimedia services was approved by the Romanian government on June 19, 2013.

 Otilia Haraga