radio communications and broadcasting transmission. We are the national supervisory and regulatory authority for these sectors in accordance with EU law which has been transposed into national law.

Our remit includes the following transmission networks:

Traditional telephone wire

Dial up and ADSL internet

Mobile operators providing voice and data services

VOIP services

Television and radio

Radio Communications including fixed wireless services

Licensing Framework for Satellite Services

The GRA enhances competition in the communications sector by facilitating market entry through authorisations and licences to provide networks and services and by regulating access to networks so as to develop effective choice for both business and residential consumers. In a rapidly evolving sector, the GRA seeks to ensure that consumer demands for competitive services of the highest quality at a reasonable cost are met in a prompt and efficient manner.

The GRA's role extends to regulating the development of the telecommunications sector in Gibraltar. Its responsibilities include economic regulation, technical regulation, enforcement of fair competition rules, setting of technical standards, co-coordinating the development of the telecommunications infrastructure, investigating consumer and industry complaints, managing the radio spectrum, providing advice to the Minister on telecommunications matters and the issuing of different types of licences.

Our policy is to enable Gibraltar to be recognised as a world-class telecommunications centre for doing business around the globe and ensure that Gibraltar has high quality telecommunications services at competitive prices coupled with high performance and standards achieving a better deal for consumers.

INFORMATION RIGHTS

Article 8 of The European Convention on Human Rights states, inter alia, that everyone has the right to privacy. In order to enforce this right, the European Union recognised the need for a system which would adopt this principle. Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 enforces the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data. Further to Article 28 of the Directive, the Gibraltar Government has nominated the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority to act as the Supervisory Authority for the enforcement of the Data Protection Act 2004.


Under the powers conferred upon the Data Protection Commissioner, the GRA has ensured that a system is in place which will monitor the executory function of the Data Protection Act. The GRA, working closely with similar regulatory authorities abroad, continues to develop a comprehensive online guide which will encompass a wealth of information on Data Protection. Simple yet comprehensive Guidance Notes are available in order to assist individuals and businesses in ensuring that Data Protection is maintained to the standard adhered to in the Act. The GRA has established procedures to allow aggrieved individuals and bodies to put forth complaints if they feel their rights have been violated. This procedure ensures that the supervisory powers of the authority are used to their maximum benefit.

BROADCASTING DIVISION

On 11th October 2012, the Government of Gibraltar completed the modernisation of broadcasting legislation in Gibraltar with the introduction of the Broadcasting Act 2012 incorporating the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2011 which transposed into Gibraltar law Directive 2010/13/EU.

This Act repeals the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation Act and the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2011.

The GRA's broadcasting division is responsible for: the granting and enforcement of licences to broadcasters, deal with all regulatory matters especially on broadcasting standards, issue codes of practice, encourage the promotion of media literacy as well as publishing information and advice to consumers, purchasers and other users of broadcasting services in Gibraltar.

POSTAL SERVICES DIVISION

In December 2012, the GRA became responsible for regulating the Postal Sector in Gibraltar, under the amended Post Office Act 1961 and Postal Services (Authorisation) Regulations 2012.

The amendments to the Act transposed Directive 97/67/EC into Gibraltar law, with regard to the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community Postal Services, as amended by Directive 2008/6/EC. The effect of the transposition of the Directive is the liberalisation of the Postal Services market which is now fully open to competition.

The GRA is drafting the necessary regulatory documents and will be liaising and assisting the Royal Gibraltar Post Office and the courier companies to comply with the requirements under the Act. The GRA is currently developing the postal service’s section of this website to provide a wealth of information about postal related matters and quality of service standards.


One area where the GRA helps consumers on a day-to-day basis is with individual complaints and enquiries. If customers have problems, which they cannot resolve to their satisfaction with the network operator or provider of the service, then they can get in touch with the GRA. The address for complaints and enquiries is:

Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
Suite 811
Europort
Gibraltar

Tel: 20074636
Fax: 20072166
E-mail: complaints@gra.gi
Internet site: www.gra.gi