UCC CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP NILE HOTEL, KAMPALA 6TH DECEMBER 2004

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UCC CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOPNILE HOTEL, KAMPALA
6TH DECEMBER 2004

• TELECOM POLICY REVIEW MOTIVATION , PROCESS
• AND TARGETS
• By
• PATRICK MASAMBU

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1. Agenda

• Background
• Motivation for Policy Review
• Holistic Approach to the Review
• The Process
• The Output
• Proposed Targets

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2. Background

• Current policy and regulatory framework
  derivative of 1996 Telecom Policy
• Operationalised through the Uganda Communications
  Act, 1997
• The policy and law coupled with national operator
  licences have essentially led to establishment of
  a market structure and regulatory environment
  which has radically impacted on the development
  of telecoms in Uganda
• Notwithstanding the successes, recent sector
  reviews and analyses point to the need for
  addressing gaps and shortcomings in current
  policy so as to achieve better impact on human
  development

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Background (contd)

• Recognition of the need for a review following
  end of duopoly in July 2005.
• A UCC recommendation to the Minister about the
  need for a review led to the Ministers request
  to UCC to undertake a holistic review of policy
  and make recommendations.
• Report reflects motivation, background, source
  of documentation and thinking forming basis for
  recommended goals, objectives, strategy and
  Master Plan.

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3. Motivation for Policy Review

• Key objectives of 1996 Policy separation of
  roles of policy, regulation and operations
  increasing penetration of services to set
  targets access by consumers to competitive range
  of services increasing private investment
  substantially achieved.
• Time to set new horizons.
• Limited competition was key strategic pillar for
  attracting private investment. However, in
  reality the market growth has exceeded
  expectations ?need for a rethink?

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Motivation .(contd)

• Limited competition as per licence provisions may
  not be extended beyond expiry in July 2005,
  implying policy decisions required to redefine
  market structure.
• Convergence in terms of transport and delivery
  infrastructure irrespective of user services now
  reality ? need to review current
  policy/regulatory environment
• The need to address identified shortcomings and
  gaps while building on established strengths.

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4. Holistic Approach to Review

• The main drive for 1996 Policy was to provide a
  minimum but acceptable basic
  infrastructure with present achievement, the
  desire now is to build infrastructure to enable
  other sectors.
• Policy that creates telecom environment
  responsive to development needs.
• Policy derived from a National Vision (Vision
  2025) and PEAP as implemented through the
  various pillars, and the National ICT Policy.

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Holistic approach.. (contd)

• A policy responsive to broad world aspirations
  Millenium Development Goals, World Summit on
  Information Society Declaration and Action Plans-
  Phase 1
• The Holistic Approach also needs to take due
  cogniscence of marginalised citizens.

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5. The Process

• Critical that the policy review can lay claim to
  national ownership
• Process designed to provide opportunity for
  meaningful contribution by various stakeholders
• Started with internal review within UCC prior to
  expansion to include other stakeholders

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The Process.. (contd)

• Inception and Drafting Phase (Phase 1) Direct
  players in National ICT Policy involved in
  inception and thinking prior to draft report and
  policy production.
• Consultative Phase (Phase 2) expanded
  discussions and involvement

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6. The Output

• The Policy Consultative Document
• Proposed Targets

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• END OF PART 1
• Thank You

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7. Proposed Targets

• Defined within the context of providing an
  infrastructure that provides by the year 2010,
  accessibility availability----voice/data
  network point.
• PART A Targets to support UA-RCDF
• Institutional Data Access Points of speeds not
  lt64Kb/s All UPE schls post primary insts
  Educ.insts govt HC(LCIII) pop-ctrsgt
• agric.ext units and other public insts.(UCC
  determined).

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Targets.(contd)

• Public Data Access points of not lt 64 Kb/s in
  each sub-county(LCIII).
• Public Voice Access in each LCII/parish.
• Interconnection of all district capitals by
  gigabit optical fibre---national data backbone.

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Targets.(contd)

• PART B Targets addressing population
  sectors that can afford services.
• A universal service target of 20 of projected
  populationup from current 4.2.-assumes 30 of
  popgtpoverty line
• Internet connection at speeds gt64Kb/s to at least
  10 of households---up from current of less than
  1.

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Targets(contd)

• PART C Strategy Objectives-aimed at market
  regulation.
• Licensing Objectives
• Addressing affordability
• Investment targetsidentify at least 5PPP for
  backbone infrastructure by 2010.

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Targets..(contd)

• Provisional Targets for 2005-2007 64Kbit/s
• infrastructure
• Education
• At least 5 UPE schools at each sub-county
• At least 1 secondary school at each sub-county
• All Universities and Tertiary Institutions.

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Targets..(contd)

• Health
• At least 1Hospital per district
• 2 Health Centres per LCIIILCII
• Public Voice Access_at_ all HC-LCIII LCII

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Targets.. (contd)

• Agriculture
• All district research and development centres.
• All agricultural research centres
• Agricultural extension offices.

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Targets..(contd)

• EGovernance
• All district headquarters
• All sub county headquarters
• Public Voice Access at each LCII/parish

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• Thank You