Hakom - Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency

ZAGREB, October 13, 2015 -. This summer HAKOM's Experts Conducted Measuring Activities with the Objective of Identifying and Monitoring Interference from Italy appearing on radio and TV channels. The measurements were carried out along the coast and on the islands where the interferences are the strongest.
 
In the past seven years more than 3,200 international complaints against interference have been sent to the Italian administration and 700 new complaints have been sent this year with the demand for their removal The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), responsible for the implementation of international agreements in the field of electronic communications has been informed about submitted complaints. HAKOM regularly informs the competent authorities of ITU, Radio Regulations Board (RRB) and the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR), on the status of interference asking for help in resolving this important issue for the Republic of Croatia.
 
Within the framework of the RRB HAKOM has initiated dispute resolution mechanism concerning the interferences, and by accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union HAKOM initiated and actively included in solving the problem of interference between Italy and neighbouring countries in the working group on Cross-border coordination with the European Commission Advisory Group on Frequency Management Policy.
 
Within the framework of the working groups positive progress has been achieved in the area of TV As a result of international activities by the Republic of Croatia and HAKOM’s experts Italy adopted three legislative decrees. The decree amended the TV Frequency plan by eliminating the frequencies causing the interferences with neighbouring countries and established a compensation fund ensuring funds for the switching off of the interfering transmitter laying down the appropriate switch off procedure.
 
Unfortunately, the start of the implementation of adopted decrees and measures related to the switch off dates of the interfering submitters such as December 2014 then later April 2015.have been postponed by Italy up to this date and the implementation of adopted measures aimed at reducing the interference with Croatia has not started yet.
 
HAKOM regularly informs the competent ministries the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, which have become involved in the resolution of these issues at the diplomatic level as well. Numerous promises have been given in the last few years including deadlines for the elimination of interferences. Agreements and conclusions have also been signed with representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development, the Italian regulatory authority AGCOM and diplomatic representatives but, unfortunately, up to this date, Italy has not eliminated any significant interference reported by the Republic of Croatia. Due to the constant delay of the process by Italy, HAKOM initiated the issue on Italian interference which will be discussed at the plenary meeting of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group which will be held in Brussels at the end of this week.

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.