ComCom member Vakhtang Abashidze, together with fellow heads of regulatory bodies, opened the 3^rd International Consumer Protection Week, where he summarised the important projects implemented by the Commission across the country to ensure quality service delivery to consumers in the telecommunications sector and to develop media literacy. 

Mr. Abashidze started his summary with one of ComCom’s largest projects in the shape of the comprehensive study of the Georgian telecom sector. He emphasised that the study was implemented with EU funding and within the framework of the assistance for the implementation of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia (AA Facility II) with the aim of enhancing competition and creating beneficial conditions for Georgian consumers: “The study assessed the existing environment in the fixed and mobile markets, the accessibility of communication services for customers, and the development opportunities in the sector. The study showed that the telecom market is stagnating and requires ex-ante regulation. One of the operators was also found to have significant power on both markets, and had specific obligations imposed on them by the Commission in order to enhance competition,” Vakhtang Abashidze stated. 

The commissioner also talked about the results of the auctions announced by ComCom for the implementation of 5G internet. “Last year, the Commission held the second round of 5G auctions, seven of which were won by MagtiCom. As you know, Cellfie Mobile was the only participant in the first round of auctions. As it is vitally important for the Commission to facilitate the implementation of new technologies, it took the request of operators into account and allowed them to participate in the second auction in order to implement 5G technology and provide customers with high-quality services.” 

Vakhtang Abashidze talked about ComCom’s achievements regarding the development of media literacy in Georgia, and specifically about the Log-in Georgia project, which is co-funded by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, and has been implemented since 2020 to support the Georgian State Internetization Programme: “Since the start of the project, the company Open Net, with the support of the Communications Commission, has already built a 1300 km fibre-optic network that provides 150,000 people with internet access. Last year, the fibre-optic infrastructure was extended by 500 km, which enabled internet access for more than 30,000 people. In total, the project aims to provide around 500,000 people in 1000 villages and rural settlements in Georgia with access to affordable high-quality internet services. As for the Digital Support Programme, which is directly implemented by the Communications Commission, it aims to raise digital awareness among the rural population, teach them how to use the internet purposefully, and facilitate their involvement in the digital economy. Last year, the programme covered 65 target villages and settlements in the municipalities of Tsageri, Lentekhi, Zugdidi, Abasha and Khobi. More than 200 seminars were held for 2700 beneficiaries, who were trained free of charge,” Mr. Abashidze noted. 

The commissioner proceeded to talk about the project Sheamotsme.ge, which is an internet quality control mechanism that allows users to measure the speed and quality of fixed internet, and to check if the service provided to them corresponds to the terms stipulated in the contract. According to him, Sheamotsme.ge allows us to monitor 24/7 how well companies are complying with their obligations towards customers, and in case of any violations, the Communications Commission will take legal measures against internet service providers in order to ensure the quality of the internet service. 

With regards to consumer rights protection, Vakhtang Abashidze summarised ComCom's activities by talking about the issue of approving the accessibility of audiovisual projects for people with disabilities, which ComCom was tasked with in accordance with the amendments to the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting, in order to bring it closer to the European Audiovisual Media Services Directive: “The new rules oblige media service providers to gradually make their production accessible to people with disabilities, which involves the introduction of subtitles, sign language, and audio description. In addition, we devised the rules for the online portal that can be used by people with disabilities to submit a complaint to the Public Defender's Office through,” Mr. Abashidze stated, and wished the participants a productive working day. 

As part of the International Consumer Protection Week, ComCom Ombudsman Gvantsa Chkheidze will hold presentations in Akhalkalaki, Zugdidi and Batumi, where she will report on the 2024 activities of the Public Defender of Consumer Interests and talk about consumer complaints and response data; the need to raise public awareness in the telecom sector; the importance of informing consumers in a timely manner; research and monitoring activities implemented by the Public Defender's Service; as well as the events planned for 2025 to protect consumer rights and legitimate interests.