Reform of National Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
The National Executive Council directed the Minister for Communication and Information to report to the NEC by March 2009 with recommendations for the next phase of telecommunications reform. Specific directions given to the Minister were to:
· consider the desirability of developing a Community Services Obligation regime (often referred to internationally as a Universal Access Scheme) to apply in the telecommunications sector in Papua New Guinea;
· undertake a review of regulatory structures and processes, including the mandate given to each of the telecommunications regulators (the ICCC and PANGTEL); and
· commence and complete a review of the operation of competition in the ICT sector with a view to recommending to the NEC a timetable for the introduction of open competition into the ICT sector and the transition to Phase 2.
On 25 March 2009, the National ICT Policy Phase 2 Reforms Final Report was approved by the NEC. This report sets out the path for introducing open competition in telecommunication services and presents a comprehensive package of reforms that provide an appropriate platform for introducing open competition.
These final reforms also reflect the outcome of a detailed public consultation process which has been pursued by the Department and its expert advisers. Material relating to the initial consultation and the consultation on the Experts' Report is available below.
The Department has also prepared a draft National ICT Bill to give legislative effect to the Phase 2 reforms. Information regarding the draft National ICT Bill and the consultation process appears below.
Draft Regulations to be issued under the National ICT Act 2009
This is the third (and final) round of consultation in relation to matters which may be addressed by regulations to be passed under the National ICT Act. It follows:
· consultation on a preliminary paper outlining possible subject matters to be addressed by regulations that was released in December 2009; and
· a more detailed scoping document seeking public input on the development of the scope of the regulations that released for comment in April 2010.
The submissions received in response to these earlier consultation papers have been considered in the development of the draft regulations which are the subject of this round of consultation.
The Department is pleased to announce that draft regulations and a companion Consultation Paper are now available for public consultation. The draft regulations comprise:
1. National ICT (Operator Licensing) Regulation: which focuses on regulations supporting the operator licensing regime in the National ICT Act, including the classification of facilities and services that will require an operator licence and the proposed structure for calculating licence fees. The document can be viewed by clicking the following link, Operator Licensing Regulations - Final draft
2. National ICT (Radio Spectrum) Regulation: this regulation focuses on the licensing of radiocommunications under the National ICT Act, including supporting provisions for access to spectrum. The document can be viewed by clicking the following link, Radio Spectrum Regulation Final draft
The Consultation Paper introduces the proposed draft regulations and identifies key issues on which interested parties are encouraged to make submissions.
You are invited to provide written responses by no later than 11 June 2011. The Consultation Paper sets out the relevant contact details for providing your response.
Privacy, cybercrime and internet regulation
The Government is pleased to release the following consultation paper seeking feedback on ICT regulatory reform in areas relating to privacy, cybercrime and internet regulation.
· ICT reform consultation paper: privacy, cybercrime and internet regulation
This consultation paper is aimed at focussing stakeholders’ attention on these specific issues, in order to assess whether any refinements or additions are required to the National ICT Bill and to guide the further development of Government Policy more generally. It sets out important areas for reform and highlights specific issues on which feedback is sought.
Aspects of the issues set out in the
consultation paper, particularly in relation to privacy and interception of
communications, are relevant to the draft National ICT Bill released for comment
on 10 June 2009. The Government’s program for implementing the reforms in the
draft National ICT Bill aims to have them up and running by October 2009.
Accordingly, the Government is seeking written submissions by 25 June 2009 on
any issues within this consultation paper that stakeholders would like to have
considered within the National ICT Bill.
Otherwise, written submissions (including revised submissions) may be provided to the Department of Communication and Information by no later than Friday 17 July 2009. These submissions will be taken into account either by the commencement of the Phase 2 reforms in October 2009 or thereafter.
Please provide responses either by:
Email:
ictreview@gopng.gov.pg
Post:
Secretary
Department of Communication and Information
PO Box 1122
Waigani, 131
NCD
Facsimile: 325 0412
National ICT Bill
The Department is pleased to release the following documents:
· Consultation Paper June 2009
The National ICT Bill is intended to give legislative effect to the comprehensive reforms approved by the NEC by NEC Decision 51 of 2009 in March 2009 which is set out in the National ICT Policy Phase 2 Reforms Final Report.
The Consultation Paper provides an overview of the draft National ICT Bill and is intended to facilitate the review of the National ICT Bill by interested stakeholders and to identify the key areas where specific feedback is sought. This consultation paper must be read in conjunction with the National ICT Bill.
Written submissions on the National ICT Bill closed on 23 June 2009. The Department has since announced its intention to undertake a further round of consultation prior to finalizing the Bill for presentation to Parliament. The timing for this further consultation period is expected to occur during July 2009.
· Ministers Media statement 9 July 2009
National ICT Policy Phase 2 Reforms Final Report
The Department commends the Final Report to those who are interested in the detailed analysis supporting the reforms:
· National ICT Policy Phase 2 Reforms Final Report
· Minister’s media statement on the Final Report
An indicative timeline is set out in the Final Report which is aimed at the commencement of the new regulatory framework by October 2009. A strong effort will be required to achieve this timetable. As the Minister has noted in his media statement, the Department will now turn its efforts to translate this government policy into reality. All those interested in improving telecommunications services in PNG are encouraged to work with the Department by supporting the implementation process.
Consultation on Experts' Report
Experts' Report:
· letter from the Minister for Communications and Information
· consultation draft of the Experts’ Report on National ICT Policy Phase 2 Reforms
Submissions provided on the Experts' Report
Initial Consultation
Documents relating to the initial consultation process conducted in 2008 are available upon request from the Department’s offices.