Nicta instructed to start working on ICT policy, says minister

The National Business

MINISTER for Information and Communications Technology Timothy Masiu says he has instructed the National Information, Communication and Technology Authority (Nicta) to commence with the formulation of the National ICT Policy (2021).
Masiu during an ICT Industry briefing yesterday, said that the consequential National ICT Bill 2021 would, among other things:

  • Redesign and simplify execution of regulatory measures;
  • Promote spectrum flexibility;
  • Reposition wholesale delivery as a non-profit entity driven by a governance model that has direct impact on reduction in wholesale and subsequently retail price; and,
  • Promote innovation and an enhanced competitive environment.

“Within this new framework, my ministry will be looking at how best to consolidate State-owned and State-funded infrastructure as well as facilitate a fare model for the sharing of these infrastructures,” Masiu said.
“Another major intervention within the draft National ICT Policy 2021 will be a clear policy position on foreign ownership and on cross media ownership.
“While this new policy will impose foreign ownership requirements on all investors the market will remain open to all investors.
“These new requirements will be clearly stated and transparent to all.”
Masiu said the department’s assessment is that the current legislation framework is too protractive in nature.
“An example is the State delivery of wholesale services,” he said.
“At the moment, there is no policy that defines and demarcates the delivery of wholesale and retail services.
“There is a growing concern by various stakeholders to reform the way in which the State delivers wholesale services.”
Masiu said the policy formulation to reflect this was well underway and they expect to hold a National ICT summit in the coming months where they would present the draft National ICT Policy 2021 for comment.
He said he would also ask Nicta to review and/or reinstitute studies undertaken on domestic roaming, tower collocation and national roaming.