Summary of broadband development in Romania
The reference framework in the field of broadband network development in Romania supports the Gigabit Society 2025as well as Digital Decade 2030 targets. The National Strategy for the Implementation of 5G was adopted in 2019 and set strategic objectives for 5G rollout.
National broadband plan and policy
Responsible authorities
- Romania’s broadband policy is implemented by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (Ministerul Cercetării, Inovării și Digitalizării).
- The role of the Authority for the Digitisation of Romania (Autoritatea pentru Digitalizarea României) is to achieve and coordinate the implementation of public strategies and policies in the field of digital transformation and the information society.
- The National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (Autoritatea Naţională pentru Administrare şi Reglementare în Comunicaţii, ANCOM) is responsible for regulatory measures.
Main aims and measures for broadband development
In July 2023, the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (MCID) announced the reference framework in the field of broadband network development in Romania - a new policy in the field of broadband communications. The policy is to ensure a general strategic approach for different intervention and financing tools for the development of networks and the identification of support measures encouraging the adoption of broadband ser-vices, an essential pre-condition for the e-government. The policy commits to the Gigabit Society 2025 and Digital Decade 2030 targets and lays out an analysis of public intervention options, measures increasing the demand and pro-motion of use of very high capacity networks. An action plan will support the implementation and sets the following four objectives:
- Objective 1 - Updating, simplifying and increasing the degree of application of the legal framework necessary to the development and operation of broadband infrastructures and services,
- Objective 2 - Accelerating and coordinating broadband infrastructure development projects,
- Objective 3 - Improving the competitive conditions on the broadband market,
- Objective 4 - Increasing the degree of digital literacy in rural areas.
A set of measures is formulated under each objective. The measures are to be implemented by 2026.
Objective 2 “Accelerating and coordinating broadband infrastructure development projects” will be tackled by establishment of regional bodies for approval of broadband projects, launch of regional consultative structures to support operators in public procurement, increasing the administrative capacity of institutions in managing broadband projects, a centralized system for monitoring in-vestment works. A construction of the electronic communications infrastructure for 945 localities in the white and grey areas is also to implemented under the objective 2. Approximately 945 localities will be covered by circa 4,000 km of optical fibre is planned to be rollout out with a total cost of EUR 94 million.
The National Strategy for the Implementation of 5G has been adopted in 2019. It sets 4 strategic objectives: rapid launch of 5G services, frontloading 5G benefits by 5G services coverage, reducing barriers for deployment of 5G networks and promoting new uses and stimulating cooperation. The strategy envisaged the organisation of the spectrum multiband auction in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3400-3600 MHz bands. By 2025, 5G coverage should be available: in all urban areas, on the main highways, express roads and railways, in international airports and ports, in 10 industrial parks.
National and regional broadband financial instruments
Romania’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP)contributes with EUR 5.97 billion (i.e. 20.5% of total) to the digital transformation. Of this, EUR 4.98 billion is estimated to contribute to the Digital Decade targets. Component 7, with commitment of EUR 1.81 billion, focuses on the digital transformation of the public sector, cybersecurity and connectivity. Reforms such as the 5G security law, the 5G auction and the adoption of the government cloud and interoperability laws are included.
Data on broadband development and technologies in Romania
For the latest data on broadband coverage, subscriptions and penetrations, coverage of different broadband technologies and costs check the scoreboard reports and the country reports of the Digital Economy & Society Index (DESI).
Spectrum assignments for wireless broadband
For details on harmonised spectrum assignments consult the European 5G Observatory.
National publications and press documents
English
- Broadband Connectivity Reports and Analyses
- Mobile and fixed broadband prices in Europe
- Study on broadband coverage
Romanian
- Stabilirea cadrului de referință în domeniul dezvoltării rețelei de bandă largă în România
- Strategia 5G pentru România
Contact information
BCO Romania (national Broadband Competence Office): Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization
Address (Main Headquarters): D. I. Mendeleev 21-25, district 1, Bucharest, 010362, Romania
Contact via email
Minister's Office Phone: +40 21 319 23 26
Website
Address (Electronic Communications Directorate Headquarters): 14th Libertatii Av., district 5, Bucharest, 050706, Romania
Contact via email
Website
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Big Picture
Find current information on broadband development in each country, as well as national strategies and policies for developing broadband.
See Also
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