About This Service
Telecommunications activity in Georgia operates inside the statutory framework built by the Law of Georgia on Electronic Communications. Article 1 of that law defines its scope: the legal and economic foundations of activity through electronic communications networks and facilities in Georgia, the principles for forming and regulating a competitive environment in the sector, the functions of the national regulatory authority — the Georgian National Communications Commission — and the rights and obligations of natural and legal persons owning, using, or providing services through such networks and facilities. This page explains the core of that regime: when activity requires authorization (Articles 14, 15 and 18), and how a radio-frequency spectrum license is granted, what it imposes on the holder, and how its term is extended (Article 49).
Authorization as the Basis of Activity and Its Exceptions
Activity in the field of electronic communications is carried out on the basis of authorization, and regulation in the field follows the principle of technological neutrality (Article 14). The statute lifts the authorization requirement in only two situations: the organization of special electronic communications networks, and of a corporate network of an enterprise, institution or organization created for a non-commercial purpose of internal communication. In every other case the Commission is the gateway to the market: it authorizes persons active in the field, maintains the official register of authorized persons, and supervises their compliance with the legislation of Georgia, including the Commission's own resolutions and decisions (Article 15). For an operator, market entry thus works as a registration-type procedure rather than a discretionary permit, while supervision continues for as long as the activity lasts.
The Authorization Declaration and the Statutory Time Limits
A person seeking authorization applies to the Commission with a declaration whose form the Commission approves. It identifies the applicant — for an individual entrepreneur, name, surname, place and date of birth, registration data and addresses; for a legal entity, firm name, legal form, legal address, registration data and representative; for a public-law entity, name, address, identification code and representative — and states the types of activity or services requiring authorization, with a brief description of the network or service. The Commission applies a unified rule (Article 18): within 10 working days of receiving the declaration, it effects authorization by registration in the register of authorized persons. If the attached documents are incomplete, the Commission sets a 5-working-day term for completion; failure to submit means authorization is not effected, though the person may apply again. If no such term is set within 5 working days, the person is deemed authorized. An extract from the register is issued within 3 working days, and the right to start the activity arises on the day of entry in the register. Authorization is indefinite; the authorized person must notify the Commission within 7 working days of ceasing or modifying the activity, and the change is entered in the register.