Spectrum Harmonisation and the Regime of Harmonised Bands
The use of radio-frequency spectrum in Georgia is regulated by the Law on Electronic Communications, whose Article 47-2 defines the procedure for the harmonisation of spectrum: for the purpose of its effective management and use, the Commission ensures the harmonisation at national level of the bands harmonised for the services and terrestrial systems provided for by the decisions of the European Commission, through amendments to the National Frequency Allocation Plan and the modification of licences for the use of scarce resource.
In harmonised bands licences are issued under the principle of technological and service neutrality, for a term of 15 years. To promote the introduction of new technologies, an existing licence is subject to modification: the designation of the resource is modified so that it may be used in a neutral manner; the validity of the licence is set at 15 years from the modification decision; and the fee is recalculated by the Commission’s rules — from the new fee is deducted a part directly proportional to the amount already paid. The licensee may request modification for only a part of the resource and cede the remainder, or refuse modification altogether — the licence is then deemed revoked at its own initiative and the fee paid is not returned. The payment schedule must not require more than 50 per cent of the fee to be paid within 1 year.