Bosnia-Herzegovina

[BA] A Single Communications Regulation Agency

IRIS 2001-4:1/6

Dusan Babic

Media Analyst, Sarajevo

On 2 March 2001 the High Representative issued a Decision creating a single regulatory agency for the communications sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The new agency, which is needed due to the convergence of transmission technologies in broadcasting and telecommunications, is the result of combining the competencies of the former Independent Media Commission (IMC) responsible for the broadcasting sector and the former Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (TRA), regulating the telecommunications sector. The new regulatory authority, named the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA) and created as an independent state-level agency, should, inter alia, lead to cost savings, and to an increase in regulatory clarity to ensure a higher grade of efficiency.

The CRA will immediately take over the current responsibilities of the former IMC and TRA, especially the issuing of long-term broadcasting licences. In discharging its duties the CRA must act in accordance with the basic principles of objectivity, transparency and non-discrimination.

The CRA will have the status of a legal entity. The organisational structures are not yet complete in detail, but at the moment it is planned that the CRA will be divided into a broadcasting division and a telecommunications division and possibly others like MultiMedia/Internet. Each division will be headed by a national of Bosnia-Herzegovina to be appointed by the Chief Executive. International advisors will also be appointed by the Chief Executive.

The High Representative has already appointed the Swedish citizen Mr. Jerker Torngren as the first Chief Executive of the new agency.