The Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR) is a state institution with a statutory mandate in relation to regulating, developing and promoting Austria’s markets for media, telecommunications and postal services.
RTR was established on 1 April 2001 by the KommAustria Act (KOG). RTR is wholly owned by the federal state. RTR is made up of two specialist divisions with a total staff of 150. The Media Division and the Telecommunications and Postal Services Division are each headed by a separate managing director.
The Media Division, headed by Managing Director Wolfgang Struber, serves as the administrative agency for the Austrian Communications Authority (KommAustria). Independently accountable, the division administers the funds that have been set up under it to promote, support and develop Austria’s media market. The funds in question are the Austrian Television Fund, the Digitialisation Fund, the Private Broadcasting Fund, the Non-Commercial Broadcasting Fund and the Fund for the Promotion of Digital Transformation.
The Telecommunications and Postal Services Division (RTR.Telekom.Post), headed by Managing Director Klaus M. Steinmaurer, serves as the administrative agency for two authorities, the Telekom-Control-Kommission (TKK) and the Post-Control-Kommission (PCK). This division is also directly responsible for certain official duties, such as number administration. The division issues legal ordinances applying to various areas of telecommunications, while also serving as the central information point for infrastructure data and broadband coverage.
RTR’s duties are detailed in the KommAustria Act (KOG) and the Telecommunications Act (TKG).
As a competence centre, RTR draws on its wealth of specialist knowledge to advise businesses, consumers, policymakers, researchers and media representatives. By organising targeted activities such as further training events, conferences and symposiums, RTR helps to bring discussion and debate about issues of relevance for broadcasting and telecommunications to a wider audience. RTR also keeps the general public informed with its comprehensive reporting, consultations for the discussion of vital issues, and publication of official decisions.
In its capacity as state-recognised consumer arbitration centre, RTR offers alternative dispute resolution procedures to consumers at no charge.
Funding Responsibility structures Supervisory Board