CTO CONFERENCE ON “IMPLEMENTING WSIS ACTION PLAN” NAIROBI, KENYA, 25-26 MARCH 2004

1. CTO CONFERENCE ON “IMPLEMENTING WSIS ACTION PLAN” NAIROBI, KENYA, 25-26 MARCH 2004 UGANDA’S REGULATORY INNOVATIONS By Patrick F. Masambu Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission

2. Introduction • Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) was established in 1998 as a result of the Uganda Communications Act of 1997 • UCC’s broad function, amongst others, is to oversee and ensure orderly development of Communications Sector • Uganda has witnessed a ten-fold growth in customer base since 1998 as well as significant improvement in quality and variety of services

3. Topics of Discussion • ICT Infrastructure Strategies • Universal Access Policies and Targets • Capacity Building strategies • ICT Awareness Initiatives • Content Creation • Regional and International Cooperation • Conclusion

4. ICT Infrastructure Strategies • Promotion of competition in service delivery by licensing of several providers (2 Fixed, 3 Mobile) • Fully liberated market for VAS e.g. ISP, Payphone etc • Specification of network roll-out obligations in major licences to ensure equitable geographical coverage • Regular monitoring of networks to ensure compliance with licence QoS requirements • Acquisition of necessary resources e.g. Spectrum Management tools for timely and efficient resolution of disputes such as interference • Support establishment of IXP • Adoption of technology neutral regulatory policies

5. Universal Access Policy • Formulation of policy for provision of services in rural and underserved areas with clear objectives and financing mechanisms • Establishment of Universal Access Fund from levy on gross revenues of operators • Transparent management of UA Fund by independent body with Regulator playing an oversight role

6. Universal Access Objectives • Provision of Public Access to basic communications services for every 5000 inhabitants by 2005 • Establish an Internet PoP in every district by 2004 • Increase use of ICTs by introduction of one vanguard institution in every district by 2005 • Promote provision of communication services in rural areas as a profitable business

7. Capacity Building strategies • Develop and manage ICT centre of excellence to provide basic and advanced ICT training • Support establishment of basic ICT training centre in every district • Promote innovation by supporting R&D in ICT related projects • Mainstream gender in all policies to encourage participation of everybody in ICT activities irrespective of sex

8. ICT Awareness Initiatives • Organisation of regular public dialogues to create awareness in use of ICTs and carry out consultations with stakeholders on new policies before they are promulgated • Establishment of complaints desk to handle complaints from consumers • Publish brochures on licensing procedures, guidelines on effective use of ICT services and procedures for lodging of consumer complaints • Regular update of UCC website on information of the sector. • Quarterly media briefing on the status of the sector

9. Content Creation • Support creation of district portals with relevant IT content on economic activities, health, education etc • Support translation of IT content into local languages to facilitate greater proportion of population to benefit from Information Society

10. Regional and International Cooperation • Uganda actively participates in regional and international organisations such as EAC, AFRALTI, ARICEA, CTO, ITU to share experience in regulation and harmonisation of ICT policies • Collaborate with World Bank and other development partners in financing of Universal Access

11. Conclusion • Uganda will continue to adopt innovative policies for further development of ICTs in order to meet WSIS objectives • We believe sharing experience with our counterparts elsewhere will go along way in strengthening our own regulatory capacity.