With regards to the consultation document published by the Georgian National Communications Commission on radio broadcast licensing competition regulations, there have recently been false reports about the Commission’s strategy creating additional financial liabilities and difficulties for radio broadcasters. Such claims do not correspond to the truth and serve to mislead the public. 

We must emphasise that any changes determined by the strategy do not apply to licenses that have already been issued. These are valid for a total of 20 years under law. The new procedures will only concern new radio broadcast license applicants. It is therefore absolutely irrational to see existing radio broadcasters complain about changes that do not affect them at all.

First of all, the aim of COMCOM’s draft document concerning the licensing competition is to use finite frequency resources in the most effective and rational manner. Secondly, it is our key goal to ensure that the radio broadcast signal covers as many settlements as possible. Thirdly, the changes concern local zoning, which means that the territory of Georgia will be divided into 15 broadcasting zones. Furthermore, the aim is to expand the area of private radio broadcasters and introduce new radio broadcasters on the market through the changes in question.

Crucially, the new zoning strategy will ensure that not only large towns and cities but even small settlements are covered by the radio signal in each zone. It is currently not possible to listen to the radio in many small settlements, as the current radio broadcast licenses are mainly issued in large towns and cities.

In accordance with the current legislation, COMCOM will issue licenses biannually based on public opinion. Radio broadcasters whose licenses are due to expire and who wish to have them extended can also take part in the competition.