1 CTO CONFERENCE ON “IMPLEMENTING WSIS ACTION PLAN” NAIROBI, KENYA, 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.