Hakom - Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency

ZAGREB, 23 October 2014 – The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) adopted the Ordinance on the manner and procedure for the allocation of funds from the Fund for the development of network industries. The Ordinance, that will enter into force on 1 January 2015, provides for the investment of HAKOM’s savings into the development of network industries through public tenders, that is, the return of collected funds to the market by means of targeted promotion of development in compliance with national priorities established in national strategies, programmes and implementation plans on the development of network industries, in particular of electronic communications. In this manner preconditions have been fulfilled for new HAKOM’s targeted investments into market development in case of positive business results of the regulator in the upcoming years, such as the current Programme for Internet and Broadband Development in Areas of Special State Concern, Hilly and Mountainous Areas and Islands, which was, upon consent provided by the Government, the Croatian Competition Agency and the European Commission, financed from unspent funds for regular HAKOM’s business operations in the previous years.
 
HAKOM has already been carrying out targeted development of broadband internet on the basis of its own Programme for Internet and Broadband Development in Areas of Special State Concern, Hilly and Mountainous Areas and Islands. Thus, more than HRK 40 million have been so far invested into connecting target users such as schools and health care institutions to high-speed broadband networks, around HRK 16 million has been invested into the development of socially useful applications, and, recently, a new stage in the implementation of programmes has been initiated, that is, the procurement of user equipment and severs for the launching of already developed applications that are ready for use.  
 

ABOUT HAKOM: HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary competencies in market regulation.