Through a press release published during this day, the companies Romtelecom si Cosmote announced that they won a tender based on which they will develop the national high-speed internet infrastructure in rural areas. Ministry for the Information Society is the organizer of this tender and the two companies will develop the infrastructure in 783 localities divided into 7 geographical areas.
Romtelecom will build the infrastructure of 4 regions, while Cosmote will build the infrastructure of the other 3 regions, a total of 84 million euros being invested in this project. Additional details can be found in the press release below.
Romtelecom and COSMOTE Romania, the winners of the tender for RoNet, the national high-speed internet network
The companies Romtelecom and COSMOTE Romania were selected as winners of the tender organized by the Ministry for the Information Society (MSI) to develop the national high-speed internet infrastructure in rural areas without coverage for such services.
The auction was organized for 783 localities, divided into 7 geographical areas. Romtelecom was named the winner for 4 of the regions, and COSMOTE Romania for 3 regions, throughout the country.
"The economic and informational opportunities derived from the operation of a national broadband infrastructure have unlimited potential. The development of the rural regions targeted by this project is the sure way to improve living conditions, both locally and nationally. For this reason, MSI has prioritized the RoNet project and its implementation with the help of European partners through non-refundable funds in the amount of 84 million euros. Romania is today much closer to the standards proposed by the European Union through the Digital Agenda, part of the Europe 2020 strategy, "said Răzvan Cotovelea, Minister for the Information Society.
For his part, Nikolai Beckers, Chief Executive Officer of Romtelecom and COSMOTE Romania, added: ,,This project gives us the chance to demonstrate once again that we are determined to support Romania and Romanians to advance technologically, by building new pieces of infrastructure in otherwise inaccessible areas. We want to provide Romanians with the means to experience the benefits of telecom services and thus become connected to the whole world."
For the 4 zones, Romtelecom will be financed with approximately 37,2 million euros, and COSMOTE Romania with approximately 27,9 million euros.
Romtelecom and COSMOTE Romania will develop over the course of 2 years a backhaul infrastructure for the implementation of high-speed networks in rural areas without coverage for high-speed Internet services. According to the contract, MSI concessions the works to the winning companies for a period of 18 years. In this interval, the two companies will also ensure the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure. The infrastructure will remain in public ownership and will be available wholesale to any operator interested in providing broadband internet services to end users.
