HAKOM's “Market Day” gathered stakeholders from the electronic communications, rail and postal services markets
The gathering included a panel discussion on the topic of «Advantages and Opportunities on the EU Single Market» that covered the current situation and expectations of some stakeholders and their plans and priorities, including key business decisions and investments in the upcoming period.
ZAGREB, 25 January 2016 – The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) organized in Zagreb the third “HAKOM's Market Day”, an annual gathering focused on the regulation of the electronic communications, postal and rail services markets. This year's gathering included more than one hundred and fifty representatives of the electronic communications, postal and rail services markets and of state institutions, business and the media. HAKOM's activities on the regulated markets were presented, as well as HAKOM's objectives in the upcoming period. A panel discussion was held on the topic of “Advantages and Opportunities on the EU Single Market”. Representatives of HAKOM, the independent national regulatory authority, which is competent for the regulation of these markets, reviewed the situation on the market and presented main indicators from last year and announced new trends in market development and regulation.
It was emphasised during the gathering that HAKOM's activities will be oriented towards maintenance and further improvement of a favourable legislative framework for investments, modernization of electronic communications networks and introduction of new services with simultaneous protection of market sustainability. Special emphasis will be placed on the growth of the number of broadband internet connections in order to decrease the digital divide between urban and rural areas, create a regulatory framework for easier and faster introduction of new technologies and multimedia services and increased level of protection of users, in particular children and other socially sensitive groups. It is expected that the fully liberalized postal services market will contribute to an increased share of new services, including the parcel delivery service, primarily because of e-trade, while on the rail services market it is expected that the transportation of passengers and trade will increase accompanied by the improved quality of service.
Mr. Dražen Lučić, President of the Council of HAKOM emphasised during his speech that “HAKOM will continue with socially responsible market regulation and it will work with other stakeholders on further development of the electronic communications and postal services markets and on the development of the rail services market, which has been liberalized less than two years ago. Significant increase in investments into modern electronic communications networks and into rail infrastructure and growth of revenue on the postal services market, primarily due to e-trade, indicate that Croatia could significantly improve the position of its digital economy on the EU single market.”
A panel discussion organized during the gathering focused on the topic of “Advantages and Opportunities on the EU Single Market”. The discussion was attended by Mr. Davor Tomašković, Chairman of the Management Board of Hrvatski Telekom, Mr. Adrian Ježina, a member of the Management Board and technical director of Vipnet, Ms. Renata Suša, Chairman of the Management Board of HŽ Infrastruktura, Mr. Ivica Kranjčić, Chairman of the Management Board of Hrvatska pošta and Domagoj Jurjević, Deputy President of the Council of HAKOM. The discussion was moderated by Veronica Bocarova from Cullen International. The panel discussion covered the current situation and expectations of individual stakeholders as well as their plans and priorities, including key business decisions and investments in the upcoming period. They also discussed the challenges brought about by the European market and the importance EU development funds for the financing of infrastructure projects. Among other things, it was mentioned that the European Commission claimed that a fully functional single digital market could contribute EUR 415 billion per year to the European Union economy. In order to realize that potential, the European Union is planning comprehensive reforms. In the telecommunications sector the measures to be proposed by the European Commission by the end of 2016 include the simplification of coordination of the RF spectrum and its management and the stimulation of investments into broadband networks and improvement of the regulatory institutional framework. The so-called «TSM Regulation» adopted at the end of last year was mentioned as the first step. This Regulation provides for the cancellation of roaming fees from July 2007 and the introduction of rules on network neutrality. In the postal services sector measures are envisaged for the clearer presentation of prices and regulatory supervision of the crossborder parcel delivery market. One of the most significant measures on the rail services market proposed within the framework of the new trans-European transport policy of the European Union, launched on 1 January 2014, included the fourth rail package aimed at removing the remaining obstacles for the creation of the single European railway area.
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For additional information please contact:
Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM)
Roberta Frangeša Mihanovića 9
10110 Zagreb, Croatia
Tel. + 385 (0) 1 700 70 07
Fax + 385 (0)1 700 70 70
Media inquiries can be submitted online using HAKOM’s official website: https://www.hakom.hr/
Registration required.
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.