February 2001
FYR of Macedonia
Master Report
|
FYR of Macedonia Master Report |
This Master Report covers the whole period of the ESIS project surveying FYR of Macedonia, October 1999 - January 2001 inclusive.
1. Regulation and actors
1.1 Regulation of telecommunications and alternative networks
According to the Macedonian Telecommunications Act (http://www.srd.org.mk/bc/codes.htm) (Official Gazette of RM 33/96) and amended Telecommunications Act (Official Gazette of RM 17/98), the Macedonian Telecommunications (http://www.mt.com.mk) shall have the exclusive right, until 31 December 2004, to provide fixed voice telephony services, telegraphy services, telex services, public pay phone services, and leased line services, and to construct, own and operate fixed public telecommunication networks.
The negotiations between the European Commission and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for Stabilisation and Association finished by signing the agreement on the 24th November 2000 in Zagreb. During the negotiations the due date of the Macedonian Telecommunications' exclusive rights was an issue. It has been agreed to change the due date from 31st December 2005 to 31st December 2004.
Until 31 December 2004, no legal or natural person, except the Macedonian Telecommunications, may:
1.2 Regulation and status of public utilities and public organisations regarding a potential entry in the alternative networks industry
Concessions shall be issued by the Minister of Transport and Communications, on the proposal of the Telecommunications Administration (a body within the Ministry), and shall be public documents. Concessions may be issued to domestic and foreign legal and natural persons. The Telecommunications Administration may establish different classes of concessions for different types of telecommunications activities.
The Minister of Transport and Communications shall not issue any licenses or concessions that infringe the exclusive rights granted to the Macedonian Telecommunications.
In accordance with this Act, telecommunication networks for satisfying the needs of certain governmental bodies, enterprises and other legal and natural persons can be designed, built and maintained in order to exclusively perform their activities. The holders of the telecommunication networks for their own needs are not allowed to perform public telecommunication services to third parties.
1.3 The actors and their strategies
So far, own telecommunication networks have been established by Macedonian Railway, Electric Power Company of Macedonia and Makpetrol-TEAS (established by the Macedonian leading oil company). They are continuing their efforts to upgrade and modernise their telecommunications resources.
The incumbent operator, Macedonian Telecommunications, exchanges the facilities on some links they have with the major alternative networks owners.
2. Inventory of the major " public " utilities with a potential for use in IS applications:
Macedonian Railway has built its own telecommunication infrastructure along the railroads. It is based on wire technology but there is an orientation towards upgrade with optic technology. The network provides voice telephony services, telegraphy services, telex services and data communications. The network is connected with the telecommunication networks of the neighbouring countries: Yugoslavia and Greece.
The World Bank credit of total 9.7 million EURO is aimed for the modernisation of the Railway Information and Telecommunication system. So far, a Feasibility Study has been accepted and the tendering documentation is being prepared.
Communication equipment:
The Board of management of Macedonian Railway took a decision for procure and install an integrated communication network (fibber-optic network for Corridor X and Corridor VIII, for implementation of the new computer system and radio-dispatching system, and than completion of the CTC project which has been started several years ago. The Study on the development of an integrated communication network in the Macedonian Railways is elaborated by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University Sts. Cyrill and Methodius of Skopje, within the framework of the agreement between the Macedonian Railway and the faculty on long-term technical-technological co-operation.
A scientific expert team has been engaged with previous experience on certain projects in Macedonia financed by the World Bank.
Radio Dispatching System
The selection of a consulting firm has been made. The firm will develop a Study on radio waves propagation and Tender bidding documents, Technical Specification. The realisation of the contract is to commence on February 2001 and to be completed in May 2001.
The Electric Power Company of Macedonia (http://www.esmak.com.mk/) has built its own telecommunication facilities. They are based on VF Power Lines, wire HDSL, Radio Microwave and Fibber Optic Cable. This infrastructure is used for providing fixed voice, mobile and data services for their own needs. On some links they exchange the facilities with Macedonian Telecommunications. Their strategy is to upgrade and extend their network and possibly provide services.
A World Bank credit has been allocated to the Electric Power Company for procurement of optical grounded wire (OPGW) cable. Bidding for a tender for 185 km long optical wire for the western ring was completed in December 2000. The company will carry out the installation of the cable itself in 6 months after selection of the best offer. The next phase of purchasing the SDH equipment is planned for the end of 2000. The whole project should be carried out in a two-year period.
Makpetrol (http://www.makpetrol.com.mk/) (the Macedonian leading Oil Company) is owner of 51% of the shares of Makpetrol-Teas - the Telecommunications Company. Its communications’ facilities are based on radio communications. The company is providing telephony services and data communications on a commercial basis and the customer targets are large companies and institutions, small offices, taxi services, rural communities, Macedonian Telecom etc.
2.1 Types of companies offering networks (gas, railway, water and draining networks, waterways, motorways, electrical networks, cable...): description, choice and strategies (alliance opportunities, vertical integration,…), and customer targeting.
According to the present regulations they are not allowed to offer their networks.
|
