The Communications Commission has published its activity report for 2019, which includes the projects implemented by COMCOM last year, as well as the challenges and plans for 2020. 2019 was a special year for media and broadcasting, as well as the telecommunications sector. There are currently more than 100 broadcasters, while the number of subscribers on the fixed internet market is dynamically growing. According to the 2019 figures, fixed internet penetration reached 80.8%, compared to only 42% in 2013. A total of 896,000 families have fixed internet access. According to the most recent report of International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Georgia is among Europe’s leading countries in terms of internet penetration, ranking ahead of the United States.  

Georgia now has the most liberal media policies in Europe, which is illustrated by the fact that anyone can start broadcasting with a simple authorisation within 10 days. As a result, there is now a broad variety and endless options with regards to media sources in Georgia.

To protect youngsters from online threats, COMCOM implemented 5 important media literacy projects in 2019, providing training for 60 teachers and over 800 pupils. The Media Academy became fully operational in all three fields. The Media School enhanced the qualifications of more than 120 media representatives. The media criticism platform, which helps both journalists and producers in their professional development, became fully operational in 2019. The media lab, which also began operating last year, will support and fund digital media start-ups.  

Authorised entities operating in the field of electronic communications posted total revenues of 1,185 GEL million in 2019. 

Last year was fruitful with regards to fixed and wholesale market liberalisation. COMCOM took revolutionary decisions to this end, reducing wholesale internet service costs for small operators tenfold, halving the wholesale service rates for accessing global internet resources, reducing wholesale global internet price from 32 GEL to 9 GEL and reducing two-way mobile network connection rates fourfold. All decisions taken by COMCOM in relation to wholesale market liberalisation have been aimed at making the market healthier, increasing competition and strengthening small and medium-scale operators. Ultimately, customers will benefit from increased competition by obtaining high-quality internet at more competitive rates.

A key decision taken by the Commission for the purpose of liberalising the mobile communications market was to allow mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which is a pre-requisite for the development of this sector. Virtual operators will increase competition on the market. Operating without their own infrastructure and instead using the infrastructure of existing large operators, MVNOs can start offering their services to the public from February 2021. They will greatly increase competition on the mobile service market, initially guaranteeing that service rates will not increase, while in the longer term, this decision will also make internet services more affordable.

The strategic importance of the telecommunications industry once again became clear during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Georgian telecom sector responded well to the crisis, which is the result of COMCOM’s liberal policies and effective work carried out by local telecom firms. To ensure that Georgia can effectively respond to the modern-day challenges and play a leading role in implementing new technologies, COMCOM will continue working towards technological development. The Commission is working hard to ensure that Georgia can start using 5G technology in 2020. The presence of 5G internet is a prerequisite for developing the economy, healthcare, education and other areas in the country.

Internet quality control became even more important during the pandemic. COMCOM’s innovative project Sheamotsme.ge, ensures that all Georgians receive high-quality service. The internet quality control system was implemented by COMCOM in 2019, allowing users to control the quality of their internet connection.

The 2019 COMCOM ANNUAL REPORT in full