Goga Gulordava: “Every Decision of the Communications Commission is Focused on Consumer Interests”

Chairman of the Communications Commission, Goga Gulordava, delivered an opening speech at the 4^th International Consumer Protection Week held in Batumi, where he reviewed the key challenges in consumer rights protection, as well as the Commission’s achievements and ongoing projects.

“As you know, the main priority and guiding principle for the Communications Commission is the consumer. Therefore, all projects and decisions of the Commission are focused on consumer interests. As the regulatory authority in the telecommunications sector, our main objective is to ensure that subscribers have favorable conditions both for the development and accessibility of telecommunications services. In the media sector, our goal is to ensure that the public has access to information based on facts and journalistic standards,” Mr. Gulordava stated.

In his speech, the ComCom Chairman summarised key trends in the telecommunications market. According to him, by the end of 2025 the number of mobile service subscribers reached 6.4 million, with Magticom accounting for 2.6 million subscribers, Silknet for 2.3 million, and Cellfie Mobile for 1.5 million. The number of mobile internet users reached 5.1 million, with Magticom accounting for 1.95 million subscribers, Silknet for 1.80 million, and Cellfie Mobile for 1.37 million. The average monthly mobile data consumption per user approached 16 GB, showing consistent annual growth. As for fixed internet, the total number of subscribers reached 1,208,000, with 97% of households having access.

During the event, Mr. Gulordava also highlighted the Commission’s consumer protection tools and platforms: “ComCom has developed several tools to simplify internet usage for subscribers. More specifically, the Commission has created platforms that allow users to check the quality of fixed internet services 24/7 and, in case of issues, submit their complaints to the Commission, who will respond in accordance with the law.”

Goga Gulordava also talked about the State Internetization Project, noting that since its launch, the company Open Net, with the support of the Communications Commission, has built a 3,000-kilometer fibre-optic backbone, providing internet access to 260,000 people. The Chairman also emphasised that, in support of the internetization project, the Commission is implementing the Digital Support Programme, which aims to increase digital awareness among residents of selected municipalities and rural areas, teach them how to use the internet effectively, and facilitate their inclusion in the digital economy. “Since the launch of the project, nearly 800 seminars have been conducted across various regions and villages nationwide, and more than 10,000 beneficiaries have been trained free of charge,” Mr. Gulordava stated.

At the end of his speech, the ComCom Chairman focused on the Commission’s role in broadcasting regulation and protection of viewers’ rights. He noted that Georgia has media pluralism, freedom of expression, and more than 100 television channels, including 21 national broadcasters. However, he also highlighted that media diversity has brought new challenges, such as disinformation, fake news, and violations of the principles of accuracy, impartiality, and fairness, which negatively affect viewers.

“To address these challenges, we already have a fully EU-aligned legislation in place. The Commission’s goal is to ensure that the media complies with the law and adheres to the fundamental journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness and impartiality, so that viewers’ interests are protected and they are able to make informed choices. This is essential for each citizen, as well as for the country’s development,” Goga Gulordava stated.

Within the framework of the event, the Telecommunications Ombudsman, Gvantsa Chkheidze, moderated a panel discussion focused on consumer rights protection mechanisms and the implementation of the established standards.

The International Consumer Protection Week is organised in Georgia by the Communications Commission, the Competition and Consumer Protection Agency, the National Bank of Georgia, the State Insurance Supervision Service of Georgia, Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission, and the National Food Agency of Georgia, and is held in Tbilisi and across the regions.