incumbent telecom operator—decreased its tariffs, allowing other providers into the
market. However, low computer penetration rates and inconsistent government policy
remain major impediments to Internet growth.
The state has officially committed to developing Moldova as an information society,
although many of its policies undermine this objective. Moldtelecom, which is also
the major national ISP, remains under state control despite large-scale criticism and
four failed privatization attempts. Moldtelecom also controls Unite, one of the four
mobile operators created in 2007. At present, ISPs are forced to rent access from Moldtelecom’s well-developed infrastructure, a necessity which increases their costs and
diminishes their competitiveness. Moldtelecom provides the nondiscriminatory Reference Interconnection Offer, the last version having been approved by the regulator
after much delay in December 2007. Even though some interconnection agreements
are now agreed between the incumbent and IP and data transmission operators, some
new entrants have complained about insufficient access to Moldtelecom’s network
leading to inefficient usage of infrastructure. 21 In April 2009, the Moldovan regulator
introduced new guidelines on interconnection tariffs. The regulation addresses the
issues of obligations imposed on operators, with emphasis on transparency and nondiscriminatory stances toward competitors. 22 It remains to be seen in practice how the
new guideline will be applied by Moldtelecom.
The Ministry of Information Development is the main policymaker in the field of
information and communications and was drafting new Policy Strategy 2009–2011.
The ministry’s objective is to implement the National Strategy and Program on establishing ‘‘e- Moldova.’’
The main law regulating the Internet is the 2007 Law on Electronic Communication.
The law established the National Agency for Telecommunications and Information
Regulation (NATIR) as the telecommunications regulator in Moldova. This law mandates the government to harmonize national legislation with European standards. The
law is intended to give NATIR full autonomy over the sector and replaces the licensing
regime. Internet service providers can now start operating immediately after notifying
NATIR. 23
This agency is responsible for monitoring ISPs’ compliance with the law and keeping
the Public Register of Electronic Communications Network and Service Providers. The
law specifically provides for the possibility of introducing anticompetitive restrictions
on service providers. The agency can demand that ISPs provide additional accounting
information, can make them change to cost-oriented tariffs, and can introduce other
measures in order to stimulate efficient market competition; and NATIR also regulates
the management of the country’s highest-level Internet domain (‘‘.md’’). The National
Security Doctrine of Moldova as of 1995 did not include the Internet. The Supreme Security Council (SSC), which oversees implementation of the president’s decrees related
to national security, monitors ministries’ and state agencies’ various activities to ensure
204
Moldova
market. However, low computer penetration rates and inconsistent government policy
remain major impediments to Internet growth.
The state has officially committed to developing Moldova as an information society,
although many of its policies undermine this objective. Moldtelecom, which is also
the major national ISP, remains under state control despite large-scale criticism and
four failed privatization attempts. Moldtelecom also controls Unite, one of the four
mobile operators created in 2007. At present, ISPs are forced to rent access from Moldtelecom’s well-developed infrastructure, a necessity which increases their costs and
diminishes their competitiveness. Moldtelecom provides the nondiscriminatory Reference Interconnection Offer, the last version having been approved by the regulator
after much delay in December 2007. Even though some interconnection agreements
are now agreed between the incumbent and IP and data transmission operators, some
new entrants have complained about insufficient access to Moldtelecom’s network
leading to inefficient usage of infrastructure. 21 In April 2009, the Moldovan regulator
introduced new guidelines on interconnection tariffs. The regulation addresses the
issues of obligations imposed on operators, with emphasis on transparency and nondiscriminatory stances toward competitors. 22 It remains to be seen in practice how the
new guideline will be applied by Moldtelecom.
The Ministry of Information Development is the main policymaker in the field of
information and communications and was drafting new Policy Strategy 2009–2011.
The ministry’s objective is to implement the National Strategy and Program on establishing ‘‘e- Moldova.’’
The main law regulating the Internet is the 2007 Law on Electronic Communication.
The law established the National Agency for Telecommunications and Information
Regulation (NATIR) as the telecommunications regulator in Moldova. This law mandates the government to harmonize national legislation with European standards. The
law is intended to give NATIR full autonomy over the sector and replaces the licensing
regime. Internet service providers can now start operating immediately after notifying
NATIR. 23
This agency is responsible for monitoring ISPs’ compliance with the law and keeping
the Public Register of Electronic Communications Network and Service Providers. The
law specifically provides for the possibility of introducing anticompetitive restrictions
on service providers. The agency can demand that ISPs provide additional accounting
information, can make them change to cost-oriented tariffs, and can introduce other
measures in order to stimulate efficient market competition; and NATIR also regulates
the management of the country’s highest-level Internet domain (‘‘.md’’). The National
Security Doctrine of Moldova as of 1995 did not include the Internet. The Supreme Security Council (SSC), which oversees implementation of the president’s decrees related
to national security, monitors ministries’ and state agencies’ various activities to ensure
204
Moldova