14 December, 2009 00:26
Digicel welcomes ICT bill
Posted by phamngoctrang at 14 December, 2009 00:26 [ News ]
Dec 8 2009
With a sound investment of over K450 million in the last two years, Papua New Guinea’s fast growing mobile phone service provider, Digicel PNG limited has welcomed government’s move to set up an independent Information and Communications Technology (ICT) regulator.
The company said it is ready to comply with whatever new changes the new ICT policy may bring with the formation of the new National Information Communication Authority (NICTA) when it commences full operation in April, 2010.
Chief Executive Officer John Mangos told the Sunday Chronicle in an interview he is happy with the ICT bill and said it will open up competition in many areas of the ICT industry and various types of licensing that it brings.
“It’s unlike before where the law only allowed for mobile service licensing but with the new ICT bill the number of license is not limited. This law seems to be promoting and promulgating open competition and the consequence of that should be a drop in prices.”
Meanwhile, with Digicel having its own international gateway, it has faced legal tussle by the state-run Telikom PNG in previous years though was “under consent”.
But in the recent ICT bill the government through the Minister for Communication and Information, Patrick Tammur made provisions to deal with Digicel’s International Gateway, which will see NICTA to issue to Digicel a network licence to operating an international gateway.
“It is not intended by this provision to discriminate in favour of Digicel. Rather the provision is aimed at making clear that NICTA will issue a network licence that will take away legal uncertainty surrounding Digicel’s international gateway.” The government expects that Digicel’s current court proceedings concerning its international gateway will now be withdrawn,” Minister Tamer said.
However, when Mr. Mangos was asked about this he said ‘that’s the expected outcome, it is still in discussions.”
“This is the first evidence, it’s not simple to withdraw, and there’s lots of work to be done. But on the whole, it’s a very good step forward and the government has a good framework in place.”
Also commenting on the same issue Telikom PNG’s Acting Head of Corporate Services, Aura Tara vatu said they were prepared to adapt to any changes the new policy may bring.
Ever since the policy came out Telecom PNG was already preparing to embrace the new change.” When asked to comment on the termination of Telikom’s regulatory contract under the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) Act, Mr Taravatu said it was anticipated to occur.
“The regulatory contract has been repealed, it’s expected to happen. We are not singled out but rather the law gives us the opportunity to migrate license to three tier licenses. We are now like everyone else and our rights will still be intact as an industry.”
He said currently Telikom PNG is under general carrier license but it will take time to migrate to other three tier licenses which include Network Licenses, Applications Licenses and Content Licences.
Source: http://www.digicelpng.com/en/about/news/digicel-welcomes-ict-bill
It is not intended by this provision to discriminate 640-553 in favour of Digicel. Rather the provision is aimed at making clear that NICTA will issue a network licence that will take away legal uncertainty surrounding Digicel’s international gateway.” The government expects that Digicel’s current court proceedings concerning its international gateway will now be withdrawn,” Minister Tamer said. However, when Mr. Mangos was asked about this he said 640-460 ‘that’s the expected outcome, it is still in discussions.” “This is the first evidence, it’s not simple to withdraw, and there’s lots of work to be done. But on the whole, it’s a very good step forward and the government has 350-029 a good framework in place.” Also commenting on the same issue Telikom PNG’s Acting Head of Corporate Services, Aura Tara vatu said they were prepared to adapt to any changes the new policy may bring. Ever since the policy came out Telecom PNG was already preparing to embrace the new change.” When asked to comment 350-018 on the termination of Telikom’s regulatory contract under the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) Act, Mr Taravatu said it was anticipated to occur