“Pursuant amendments to the Law on Communications in July 2019 NBCO is expert and advisory body to support investment in broadband networks
The North Macedonian BCO became a member of the EU BCO Network in April2020
The NBCO has the following competencies:
· Shall participate in the work of the broadband competence office network in the European Union and in the region,
· Shall issue opinions and proposals for faster development of electronic communications, and in particular of broadband in the country,
· Shall cooperate with state authorities, state administrative bodies, public enterprises, local self-government units, public institutions and legal entities with public authorizations and fully state-owned trade, and shall provide support for development plans/projects/studies related to broadband networks, as well as support in implementation thereof,
· Shall issue opinions and proposals for utilization and needed development of fibre-optic infrastructure that has been constructed or is to be constructed with public funds,
· Shall participate in establishment of target areas that would use state aid in construction and development of broadband networks,
· Shall issue opinions and proposals during construction of broadband networks with utilization of state aid for: potential technical solutions, investment and business models, criteria for selection of operator, price policy and related issues,
· Shall participate, issue opinions and proposals in preparation of plans for promotion of broadband in the country,
· Shall participate in public discussions and consultations related to construction of broadband networks with utilization of state aid,
· Shall participate in determining free WiFi internet access locations in municipalities,
· Shall participate, issue opinions and proposals in development of future national strategic documents and development plans related to broadband development,
· Shall monitor implementation of adopted national strategic document and plans for broadband development in the state, meeting national broadband targets set forth therein and shall issue opinions and proposals for review thereof,
· Shall, at least semi-annually, deliver a report to the minister of information society and administration on broadband development in the country related to development of broadband market in the European Union pursuant to DESI (The Digital Economy and Society Index), as well as report on implementation of adopted strategic documents and plans for broadband development in the country, meeting of national broadband goals set forth therein.