The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, today issued a Decision creating a single regulator for the communications sector in BiH, combining regulatory responsibilities for telecommunications, currently under the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (TRA), with those for broadcasting, currently under the Independent Media Commission (IMC).
The single Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA) is an independent state-level agency and brings together the experience and knowledge of both the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency and the Independent Media Commission. This will lead to cost savings, an increase in regulatory clarity and effectiveness to the benefit of the population and the industry.
Converging technology and transmission methods of radio-communications, broadcasting and telecommunications is a world-wide trend. Other European countries have already addressed this issue with a single regulator, most recently in the UK.
CRA will continue the present ongoing work of the IMC and the TRA unabated. For example, the issuance of long-term broadcasting licences will continue, as planned.
The High Representative has appointed Mr Jerker Torngren as the Chief Executive of the new organisation. He has an extensive experience as a regulator from within the European telecommunications industry. He has worked in Central and Eastern Europe, and in the European Union. His focus has been the reform of the telecommunication sector, which nowadays is heavily influenced by convergence between broadcasting and telecommunications. He will manage the work of the CRA Council, which will consist of reputable persons from the industry and BiH society.
This Decision marks a significant step forward on the road to creating a market-oriented communications sector in BiH. At the same time, it is a response to the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Declaration, made in Brussels on 24 May 2000, which called on all BiH authorities to increase efficiency and economies of scale by using a country-wide approach in a number of areas, including telecommunications.
A reformed telecommunications system will mean a viable industry, lower prices and better services for all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who now have to pay some of the highest telecommunications charges in Europe.
The High Representative issued the Decision in accordance with the powers entrusted in him under Annex 10, Article V of the Dayton peace agreement and the Declaration of the Peace Implementation Council in Bonn on 10 December 1997.