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ComCom Member Takes Part in the Fourth International Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection
Member of the Communications Commission Vakhtang Abashidze, together with leading representatives of fellow regulators, took part in the opening session of the Fourth International Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection, where he reviewed important projects implemented by the Communications Commission in Georgia to ensure the provision of quality services to consumers in the telecom sector, and to develop media literacy.
In his speech, Vakhtang Abashidze noted that the development of new technologies is of paramount importance to the Communications Commission, which is why ComCom announced additional auctions last year to implement 5G mobile internet. Consequently, all three major mobile operators in Georgia are now implementing 5G technology.
During the conference, Mr. Abashidze summarised the trends in the telecom market and focussed on the growth of mobile subscribers, mobile internet services, and internet usage.
In addition, Vakhtang Abashidze spoke about the Log-in Georgia project, which aims to develop modern infrastructure across the regions and facilitate internet access for the locals. As part of the project, the company Open Net, with the support of the Communications Commission, has already built around 2000 km of fibre-optic trunk lines, providing 150,000 residents with internet access. A total of 4,500 km of trunk lines will be built within the framework of the project. Log-in Georgia aims to provide high-quality internet access to up to 500,000 rural residents of Georgia and facilitate the use of digital services. The commissioner also spoke about the results of ComCom's Digital Support Programme, noting that 2,700 beneficiaries were trained in digital literacy in 65 target villages across 5 municipalities last year.
Vakhtang Abashidze further noted that, given Georgia's strategic geographical location, the country has the potential to become a digital hub, which will be facilitated by the country's economic development and strengthening of the digital ecosystem. The commissioner noted that the Communications Commission is implementing the IXP and IP Peering Market Development Project to support this strategic goal.
Vakhtang Abashidze also reviewed the activities carried out to protect the interests of consumers and noted that 125 informational meetings were held last year to raise public awareness. The commissioner highlighted the Sheamotsme.ge platform, which allows consumers to measure the speed and quality of the internet.
Head of the Market Regulation Department of the Communications Commission, Ekaterine Sichinava, took part in the international conference and reviewed the trends in the telecom market, as well as the holistic study of the mobile and fixed services market conducted by the Commission, highlighting possible violations of the Competition Law by the telecom operators. In addition, the event was attended by ComCom Ombudsman Gvantsa Chkheidze, who introduced the audience to the activities of the Public Defender's Office, statistics on consumer complaints, and the achieved results.
