Romania's communications authority ANCOM issued 42 fines in 2012, valuing in total RON 693,000 (around EUR 155,500). As well as the fines, ANCOM issued 390 warnings last year. The majority of the transgressions picked up by ANCOM checks were violations of license conditions and the improper operation of radio-communication stations.

ANCOM carried out 8,442 checks in 2012, as well as issuing 218 notifications of intent to apply sanctions.

ANCOM's controls checked up on a number of different areas in the communications industry; some 40 percent were on holders of radio frequency licenses, while around a third of checks were on electronic communications providers (internet, telephone, television).

A further 16 percent of the checks looked at postal service providers, with the remainder being made up of manufacturers, importers and distributors of radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment.

“The verification of the extent to which the providers of electronic communications and postal services comply with their legal obligations is meant to ensure the well-functioning of the market,” said Cristin Popa, Director of ANCOM Monitoring and Control Executive Division . All money received from fines goes to the state budget, according to ANCOM, and all fines are collected within the rules set by government legislation.

“The purpose of the monitoring and control actions is not to sanction the providers but to prevent and discourage possible deviations, the ultimate goal being that of ensuring fair competition and protecting the users’ interests,” Popa added.

editor@romania-insider.com