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.
The License for the Use of the Radio-Frequency Spectrum
The Commission issues a radio-frequency spectrum license by auction or by competition, in accordance with the law on electronic communications, the laws on licenses and permits and on license fees, and the auction regulations approved by the Commission (Article 49). The license is issued for 10 years. The licensee must use the exhaustible resource defined in the license in accordance with the legislation and the conditions of the issuance decision, and ensure its optimal and effective use, including through innovative electronic communications technologies. No later than 1 month before expiry the holder may apply for an extension; compliant spectrum use earns a further 10 years.
The price of extension follows a statutory cascade: the arithmetic mean of auction prices for the appropriate band of the same spectrum over the last 2 years; if no more than 2 auctions were held in that period, the mean over the last 3 years; if no more than 2 were held over 3 years either, the mean of the last 3 auctions — or, in their absence, the last 2; if only 1 auction has been held, its price; if none, the starting price set under the auction regulations. The license fee is added. For a competition-issued license, the Commission sets the amount case by case, guided by international practice on the basis of a conclusion of an authoritative international organization, plus the license fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does activity not require authorization?
Only in the statutory exceptions: special networks and a non-commercial corporate network for internal communication. All other activity in the field proceeds on the basis of authorization (Article 14).
Within what time limit is authorization effected?
Within 10 working days of receipt of the declaration, by registration in the register; where documents are incomplete, a 5-working-day term is set, and if the Commission fails to set it in time, the person is deemed authorized (Article 18).
For how long is a spectrum license issued and how is it extended?
For 10 years. An extension application may be filed no later than 1 month before expiry; compliant use earns a further 10 years, with the price calculated from auction results (Article 49).
What must an authorized person do when stopping the activity?
Notify the Commission within 7 working days of the cessation or modification; the change is then entered in the register (Article 18).
How We Help on Legal.ge
We will assess whether your planned activity falls under the authorization regime or a statutory exemption; help you assemble the declaration and attachments so the Commission's time limits are met on the first attempt; explain registration, extracts and change notifications; and prepare materials for a spectrum license and the extension application with its payment implications. Contact us and receive an actionable legal plan for entering the communications market.