Guidelines on Calculation and Compensation of the Net Cost of Universal Service Obligation and as well as Determination of Unfair Financial Burden

ZAGREB, August 31, 2015 – On its 17th session held on July 3, 2015, Croatian Parliament Adopted the Proposal of the Act on the Amendments to the Postal Services Act according to which the national legislation is further aligned with the relevant EU acquis communautaire. The most important change refers to the abolition of the compensation fund and simplification of the financing mechanisms for universal service provision fees under non-commercial conditions.

By abolishing the compensation fund, the unfair financial burden fee for the universal service provision thus ensuring the universal service obligations as a service of general economic interest is settled exclusively by the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia, in accordance with state aid rules.
Consequently, the above-mentioned Guidelines on calculation and compensation of the net cost of universal service and the evaluation of unfair financial burden of the universal service provider, adopted in June 2014, are in compliance with recent legislative amendments.

Due to a series of necessary substantive changes, it was considered reasonable to adopt new Guidelines for calculating and compensation of the net cost of universal service and determination of unfair financial burden, aimed at total transparency and clarity. Therefore, at its meeting held on August 31, 2015 the Council of HAKOM adopted new Guidelines for Calculating the Net Cost of the Universal Service Obligations as well as Determination of Unfair Financial Burden of the Universal Service Provider.

 

HAKOM (www.hakom.hr) - Croatian Post and Electronic Communications Agency – 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.