The Communications Commission has held the final conference of the twinning project “Supporting the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) in Developing the Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications and Operational Capacities.” Project leaders reviewed the results of their 19-month collaboration and talked about future prospects. The documents devised as part of the project serve to gradually bring Georgian legislation in line with EU directives and regulations.

The twinning project is facilitating the process of bringing the legal framework for telecommunications in Georgia in line with the regulatory framework of the EU, which will create a competitive environment for all players on the electronic communications market in Georgia.

The guidelines that have been devised for the project include practical legislative recommendations that facilitate implementation of best European practices. Draft resolutions for the approval of public consultation rules and general permits, as well as draft changes to service provision and consumer rights regulations have also been devised. Draft resolution for placement of radio equipment on the Georgian market has been submitted to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Draft changes to regulations regarding consumer rights for international roaming were also prepared as part of the project. The document covers the main conditions of international roaming service, customer awareness, network management, alternative offers, fees and avoidance of ‘bill shock.’

The twinning project was initiated on 12 December 2017. It consisted of six components, and was funded by the European Union in partnership with the Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and the Electronic Communications Office of the Republic of Poland.