During the first quarter of 2019, broadcasting advertising revenues grew by 8% year-on-year. Time allotted to commercial advertising also increased by 25% in Q1 compared to the same period last year. All national broadcasters reported growing advertising revenues with the exception of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, where revenues fell by 52%. This is an interesting development, as GPB’s revenues decreased despite the changes to the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting coming into effect,...

The Communications Commission and the Media Academy, together with the Ministry of Education, will organise the media literacy competition “Truth or Fiction?” that is designed to develop critical thinking, analysis and fact-checking skills among youngsters. Applications are open from 16 May until 14 June 2019. As part of the competition, participants are required to identify fake news in Georgian media space (including the internet, television and print media) that has not yet been...

The Georgian National Communications Commission organised a two-day conference in Tbilisi involving regulators of electronic communications from the Eastern Partnership (EaPeReg) and European Union (BEREC) countries. This was the first time that the heads of 19 European regulatory commissions met in Georgia. The two-day meeting discussed the existing challenges in the field of electronic communications, as well as plans for the future. The conference was attended by the Vice Chair of BEREC...

The Georgian National Communications Commission has conducted an analysis of free and paid televised political advertising during the 2018 Georgian presidential election campaign. According to Article 50.1 of the Election Code of Georgia, a broadcast license holder, an authorised over-the-air broadcaster, the Public Broadcaster and Adjara TV and Radio of the Public Broadcaster must, if airtime is allotted for pre-election campaigning and political advertising, publicly announce and weekly...

From September this year, Georgian primary school pupils will learn the basics of programming and computer science through “Hello Ruby” – a successful series of books that has already been adopted by 25 countries. Finnish programmer and author of the “Hello Ruby” books Linda Liukas held a joint press-conference with representatives from the Georgian National Communications Commission and the Ministry of Education today. The 33-year-old Linda Liukas was named among...

The Georgian National Communications Commission has implemented internet quality control to protect consumer interests. Those who find it difficult to watch or download films, play games, or are generally unhappy with the quality of their internet service, can take advantage of the website www.sheamotsme.ge. This platform already allows all users to measure the speed and quality of their fixed internet, and to check whether the quality of service is in line with the terms of the contract...

In framework of Twinning project two informative workshops with the participation of EU experts were held at the premises of the GNCC. The workshop on broadband development is a part of Twinning project aiming at developing regulatory framework and operational capacities of the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC). At the workshops the Twinning expers presented EU best practice of wireless broadband development and discussed IP based broadband infrastructure and service provision...

The Communications Commission has prevented Magticom from raising tariffs. The company had announced its intention to this end on 18 February. The Commission took the decision during its recent meeting. Following the announcement made by Magticom and Silknet about their intentions to raise tariffs, the Commission called on both companies to halt the process and await the results of market research that is being conducted by the Commission. This request was only heeded by Silknet. Due to the...

To mark the International Safer Internet Day, the Communications Commission held a two-day training course titled “Our Internet is Our Choice – Significance of Informed Choice in the Digital World.” Participants of the interactive training course, which consisted of two stages, included 5th grade pupils from two public schools and youngsters from the Rustavi Shelter for Homeless Children. The subject of the training course was the significance of safe use of the internet....

The Communications Commission has initiated public administrative research on the subject of existing competition on the fixed and mobile service market. Over the course of three months, the Commission will study each segment of the fixed and mobile service market, including the internet, sound services, broadcast transit, short messages and service packages. To bring the sector in in line with the EU legislation in accordance with the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, the Commission has...