Mobile service market penetration in Georgia remains high, amounting to 148% in 2020. The number of mobile subscribers was 5.1 million at the end of 2020. These figures indicate that customers have more than one mobile phone number in their possession, meaning that people are aware of the market service rates and use different networks for different services based on their needs. The share of subscribers per company was as follows: MagtiCom – 41%, Silknet – 33%, and Beeline –...

The Communications Commission has published its 2020 Annual Report, which provides an overview of the projects implemented last year, as well as the challenges and plans for 2021.  The report states that against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, the communications sector assumed an even more important role in 2020. As nearly all services switched to the online mode, the Georgian telecommunications sector managed to successfully respond to new challenges, for which it received...

The Communications Commission has once again ruled that Caucasus Online violated the legislation. The company has been instructed to return 100% of its shares to the pre-sale status quo within three months.  On 22 March, the Commission found out that following the  previous violation of the legislation by selling 49% of company shares, Caucasus Online unlawfully sold the remaining 51% without approval of the Commissionto Weco Investments and Finance S.A. – a subsidiary of...

In the first quarter of 2021, total advertising revenues of television broadcasters increased by 3% compared to the same period of 2020 and amounted to GEL 14.5 million, whereby direct advertising and sponsorship account for GEL 13.2 million. TV Pirveli, Silknet, Formula, POSTV, GDS TV and RBG recorded increase in total advertising revenues, while the advertising revenues of Teleimedi, Rustavi 2, Mtavari Arkhi and the Georgian Public Broadcaster decreased.  Advertising revenues by channels...

The pilot project of the State Internetization Programme has been inaugurated inOzurgeti Municipality. The project, which will enable up to 29,000 people to access high-speed broadband internet, was officially launched today by the prime minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili. The event was attended by Commissioner Natia Kukuladze, Minister of the Economy Natia Turnava, Minister of Education and Science Mikheil Chkhenkeli, iDrector of Open Net Mariam Sulaberidze, and Regional Director of...

The Communications Commission has published ComCom Digest for the month of April, which provides an overview of the activities and important decisions taken by the Commission over the past month.  The first important issue presented in the latest edition of ComCom Digest concerns the new ruless adopted to protect the rights of consumers. New regulations will allow all subscribers to receive high-quality and safe communication services. Detailed information about  new rulescan be found...

The Communications Commission and the Information Centre on NATO and EU will implement joint projects aimed at informing the population about Georgia’s NATO and EU integration, developing media literacy and raising awareness on the aforementioned issues. The parties signed a cooperation agreement that foresees projects supporting the development of media literacy and promoting European values in Georgia. The aim of the agreement is to enhance public knowledge and awareness about important...

The Communications Commission and the Media Academy have announced the “Truth or Fiction?” contest, which is designed to develop critical thinking, analysis and fact-checking skills among young people. The contest will take place between 4 May and 30 June, and will be open to all 9th, 10th and 11th grade pupils. The winners will be chosen by a competent jury panel, and will receive impressive prizes. The first-place winner will get an iPhone 12 Pro, the second-place winner...

The Communications Commission has decided not to uphold the complaint against TV Formula regarding the TV show Chemi Tsolis Dakalebi (“My Wife’s Friends”). Complainants were seeking to have the broadcaster fined for violating the legislation. The case concerns the episode titled “Chemi Tsolis Dakalebi will Return on 13 March,” which was aired on 7 March 2021, at 22:07. During the episode, actor Shota Nozadze addressed the viewers using the language that is typical...

The Communications Commission has held certified training sessions for students who distinguished themselves during the media literacy contest “Truth or Fiction?” Students learned about important issues such as social media algorithm discrimination, human rights violations on social media, and data protection. Students also received detailed information about the ways of combating the fake news and protecting freedom of expression, the meaning of hate speech and the responsibilities...