The Ro-NET project, involving the construction of a telecom network for rural areas not yet covered by private companies and for which there are no such coverage plans within the next three years, could make progress this year after the Information Society Ministry (MSI) has selected the companies that will conduct the feasibility study and manage the project.
“The auctions for the conducting of the feasibility study and for ensuring Ro-NET’s project management have been concluded,” the ministry’s officials said.
Romania has been trying to get the EUR84 million made available by the EU since 2009 to build a telecom network that will cover areas not covered by private operators.
The biggest delay was caused when former PD-L communications minister Gabriel Sandu wanted in 2010 to move the money to the acquisition of software and IT services, causing the money to be frozen by Brussels. Later the project was frozen amid fighting over the ownership of the network.
The companies selected by the ministry will have to decide how the project is conducted, where, and later handle its management, if it comes to this.
The feasibility study for the RO-Net project will be done by Confero Finance and Cognos Business Consulting. Confero has ties to AGN International, the world’s 7th largest network of independent fiscal and audit consultancies, while a minority stake in the company is owned by Bostina law firm, according to Trade Registry data. Cognos was set up by a former sales manager of Teamnet International.
The project’s management will be handled for EUR200,000 by Aego Business Consulting and European Funds Invest. One of Aego’s shareholders is a former manager of sales to the public sector who worked in several local subsidiaries of IT companies, such as Bull, S&T, IBM and Oracle. The other winning company is controlled by a Cyprus-based company, represented by Laurentiu Popescu, whose name is also linked to XOR-IT Systems, with turnover of EUR14 million in 2011, which won several IT&C public sector auctions.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)