Transcript National ICT Policy Formulation In Liberia

Judith Hellerstein
Hellerstein & Associates
September 13, 2006
Georgia Tech
E-Liberia Vision 2006
National ICT Policy Planning Process
Working Meeting on ICT’s for
Development in Liberia
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Introduction
 In March 2005, the World Bank issued a grant to Hellerstein &
Associates to provide consulting services to assist the National
Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) in developing a
National Telecommunication Policy and Strategy.
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The consulting team consisted of experts in all pertinent areas:
 Judith Hellerstein and Stuart MacPherson, Telecom, Policy, and
Regulatory experts;
 David Townsend, Universal Access/Services expert;
 Will Burnfield, Telecom Investment/Privatization expert; and
 Adrian Foster, Spectrum Policy & Spectrum Management
expert.
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
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Introduction
 Project started in April 2005
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Field Visit to Monrovia April 3-15
Draft Policy & Strategy Report June 10
Second Mission to Monrovia June 19-26
Stakeholder Workshop in Monrovia June 23-24
Policy Publicized in Liberian Newspapers June 30
Feedback and Comment Period June 30-July 30
Finalize Strategy June 30
Finalize Policy July 30
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
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Field Visit
 Prior to the first field visit the team worked
to create a series of survey questions that
would help us assess the state and potential
of the telecom market and the policy goals
and priorities of the Government.
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Topics in the Survey Questionnaire
 Status of the Market
Number of Operators, Market Structure
 Scope of networks, services
 Market economics, trends
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 Policy Goals and Priorities
Existing institutional structure, laws, policies
 Human resource capacity, needs
 Objectives and priorities for the sector
 Universal access policy options, constraints
 Spectrum Policy
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
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Stakeholder Interviews
 We sought to interview all Stakeholders, including
NGOs, International organizations, ICT firms, ISPs,
and other small businesses.
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Our goal was to solicit their views on the status and state of
the sector, what, they thought, should be the key policy
objectives and priorities that the Government should focus
on, and any other pressing issues and problems they
currently faced in the sector
This was in addition to all past and present telecom
Operators selected Government officials and members of the
NTGL’s Special Presidential Telecom Committee.
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
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Policy Priorities
What is Telecommunications Policy?
• Identifies general and specific objectives for the country
and the industry
• Conforms to broader national goals, policies
• May set general targets over a given time frame
• May establish certain mechanisms or constraints for
implementation
 Level of detail determines regulatory flexibility
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
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Objectives and Vision
 This Policy established the framework for the evolution of
the Liberian telecom sector, and the transformation of
Liberia toward an information-based economy and society.
The policy is based upon the following:
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Objectives
Vision
Sector Evolution
National Economic Development & Opportunity
Social Cultural Enrichment
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Objectives
 Promote the development of the Liberian telecommunications
infrastructure and markets;
 Promote market liberalization, private sector expansion, and fair
and effective competition throughout the telecommunications
sector;
 Create and establish an independent Regulatory Agency
responsible for telecommunications and spectrum regulation;
 Promote universal access to telecommunications services
throughout Liberia; and
 Ensure flexibility and adaptability and ease of access to radio
spectrum resources.
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Vision
 All segments of society should have access to ICTs;
 ICTs should be readily available in education, health care, HR
development, and in all business sectors
 ICT as a key enabler of economic development and competitive
opportunity and investment;
 ICTs should serve as a competitive advantage, making Liberia more
competitive internationally and more attractive to inward and domestic
private and public investment.
 Prices for telecom and ICTs should be reasonable, affordable, and
related to costs.
 Promote high quality services & responsive customer service
Transparent, open and competitively neutral regulation
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Vision (continued)
 Transparent, open and competitively neutral regulation;
 Innovative use of spectrum and wireless technologies;
 Use consultative approaches to long-term spectrum
planning
 Social and cultural enrichment
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Liberian Information Infrastructure &
Convergence
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Liberia Information Infrastructure & Convergence
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This Policy addressed the role of telecommunications in the
development of the Liberia economy and society, and the
convergence of telecommunications with other information
technologies toward the evolution of a Liberia Information
Infrastructure. It consisted of:
 Communications and Information Services
 Internet and IP-based Technology & Services
 Information Technology, Software, & Equipment
 Human Resources, Intellectual Capital
 E-Commerce
 E-Government
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
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Liberia’s Information Infrastructure &
Convergence- Recommendations
 Create ICT Policy goals for Liberia:
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Development of telecom Infrastructure & Markets
Market liberalization, privatization, investment
Universal Access
 Create time-bound sector development goals:
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Increased penetration of telephony
Access to Internet in universities, schools; training curricula and
resources in ICTs
Development of a widespread, content-rich e-government program
Public telecom access points (or telecenters)
Strategy for how to treat IP telephony and other IP-enabled services.
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A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
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Market Structure
 Telecom Market Structure
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Market should be technologically neutral & convergent
Fair and Effective Competition
 Liberalization- Services Open to Competition
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Basic domestic voice telephone
International telephone
Mobile telephone services (limited to current four licenses)
Data transmission, leased circuits, and private networks
Internet services
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Internet and IP-based Technology & Services
 The development of the Internet and IP-based
applications represents one of the most
dramatic changes in the communications
industry, and must be a centerpiece of
Liberia’s Information Infrastructure.
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Stakeholder Workshop
 Workshop scheduled for June 23-24 2005
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Was combined with the first draft of the Telecom Act prepared by the
World Bank Consultants preparing the Draft Telecom Act
 Worked with the Government to draw up the list of
Government Attendees and the press who would be invited
 Created list of other interested stakeholders, including donors,
international organizations, NGOs, Small businesses, Telecom
operators, Manufacturers, other private and/or ICT related
businesses, and any other stakeholders interested
 World Bank-Liberia sent out the invitations and the NTGL
Chairman’s Office prepared a press release announcing the
workshop
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Second Field Visit
 Prior to the June Workshop we met with many of
the Operators and the Government’s Special
Presidential Telecom Committee to gain their
feedback and comments on the Draft Policy
 We incorporated their feedback into the new drafts
to be discussed at the Workshop
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Stakeholder Workshop
 One full day devoted to Policy discussions and 1/2
day devoted to Legal discussions
 Very well attended--over 30 people for both days
 Generated vigorous debate among all Stakeholders
related to the key policy issues discussed
 Garnered very good press coverage and good
articles that clearly highlighted the Key goals,
objectives, visions, and competition elements of
the policy.
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Final Stages in Policy Formulation
 Original goal was to finalize the policy after the
workshop
 To ensure that other stakeholders, both inside and outside
Liberia, had a chance to provide their comments,
feedback, and suggestions to the policy we extended the
date by almost a month.
Provided online links to the Draft Telecom policy in two
Liberian National Newspapers, the Perspective and the
Analyst.
 Opened up a 3 week comment period
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 Policy Finalized by Government on July 30, 2005
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”
Questions, Comments, Statements?
Look forward to hearing from you
Judith Hellerstein
President
Hellerstein & Associates
www.jhellerstein.com
[email protected]
+1 202 362-5139
Propriety and Confidential
A Telecommunications and Technology Research Group
“Give Your Company the Competitive Edge”