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E-Liberia Vision 2006

Judith Hellerstein Hellerstein & Associates September 13, 2006 Georgia Tech. E-Liberia Vision 2006. National ICT Policy Planning Process Working Meeting on ICT’s for Development in Liberia. Introduction.

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E-Liberia Vision 2006

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  1. Judith Hellerstein Hellerstein & Associates September 13, 2006 Georgia Tech E-Liberia Vision 2006 National ICT Policy Planning Process Working Meeting on ICT’s for Development in Liberia

  2. Introduction • In March 2005, the World Bank issued a grant to Hellerstein & Associates to provide consulting services to assist the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) in developing a National Telecommunication Policy and Strategy. • The consulting team consisted of experts in all pertinent areas: • Judith Hellerstein and Stuart MacPherson, Telecom, Policy, and Regulatory experts; • David Townsend, Universal Access/Services expert; • Will Burnfield, Telecom Investment/Privatization expert; and • Adrian Foster, Spectrum Policy & Spectrum Management expert.

  3. Introduction • Project started in April 2005 • Field Visit to Monrovia April 3-15 • Draft Policy & Strategy Report June 10 • Second Mission to Monrovia June 19-26 • Stakeholder Workshop in Monrovia June 23-24 • Policy Publicized in Liberian Newspapers June 30 • Feedback and Comment Period June 30-July 30 • Finalize Strategy June 30 • Finalize Policy July 30

  4. Field Visit • Prior to the first field visit the team worked to create a series of survey questions that would help us assess the state and potential of the telecom market and the policy goals and priorities of the Government.

  5. Topics in the Survey Questionnaire • Status of the Market • Number of Operators, Market Structure • Scope of networks, services • Market economics, trends • Policy Goals and Priorities • Existing institutional structure, laws, policies • Human resource capacity, needs • Objectives and priorities for the sector • Universal access policy options, constraints • Spectrum Policy

  6. Stakeholder Interviews • We sought to interview all Stakeholders, including NGOs, International organizations, ICT firms, ISPs, and other small businesses. • Our goal was to solicit their views on the status and state of the sector, what, they thought, should be the key policy objectives and priorities that the Government should focus on, and any other pressing issues and problems they currently faced in the sector • This was in addition to all past and present telecom Operators selected Government officials and members of the NTGL’s Special Presidential Telecom Committee.

  7. Policy Priorities What is Telecommunications Policy? • Identifies general and specific objectives for the country and the industry • Conforms to broader national goals, policies • May set general targets over a given time frame • May establish certain mechanisms or constraints for implementation • Level of detail determines regulatory flexibility

  8. Objectives and Vision • This Policy established the framework for the evolution of the Liberian telecom sector, and the transformation of Liberia toward an information-based economy and society. The policy is based upon the following: • Objectives • Vision • Sector Evolution • National Economic Development & Opportunity • Social Cultural Enrichment

  9. Objectives • Promote the development of the Liberian telecommunications infrastructure and markets; • Promote market liberalization, private sector expansion, and fair and effective competition throughout the telecommunications sector; • Create and establish an independent Regulatory Agency responsible for telecommunications and spectrum regulation; • Promote universal access to telecommunications services throughout Liberia; and • Ensure flexibility and adaptability and ease of access to radio spectrum resources.

  10. Vision • All segments of society should have access to ICTs; • ICTs should be readily available in education, health care, HR development, and in all business sectors • ICT as a key enabler of economic development and competitive opportunity and investment; • ICTs should serve as a competitive advantage, making Liberia more competitive internationally and more attractive to inward and domestic private and public investment. • Prices for telecom and ICTs should be reasonable, affordable, and related to costs. • Promote high quality services & responsive customer serviceTransparent, open and competitively neutral regulation

  11. Vision (continued) • Transparent, open and competitively neutral regulation; • Innovative use of spectrum and wireless technologies; • Use consultative approaches to long-term spectrum planning • Social and cultural enrichment

  12. Liberian Information Infrastructure & Convergence • Liberia Information Infrastructure & Convergence • This Policy addressed the role of telecommunications in the development of the Liberia economy and society, and the convergence of telecommunications with other information technologies toward the evolution of a Liberia Information Infrastructure. It consisted of: • Communications and Information Services • Internet and IP-based Technology & Services • Information Technology, Software, & Equipment • Human Resources, Intellectual Capital • E-Commerce • E-Government

  13. Liberia’s Information Infrastructure & Convergence- Recommendations • Create ICT Policy goals for Liberia: • Development of telecom Infrastructure & Markets • Market liberalization, privatization, investment • Universal Access • Create time-bound sector development goals: • Increased penetration of telephony • Access to Internet in universities, schools; training curricula and resources in ICTs • Development of a widespread, content-rich e-government program • Public telecom access points (or telecenters) • Strategy for how to treat IP telephony and other IP-enabled services.

  14. Market Structure • Telecom Market Structure • Market should be technologically neutral & convergent • Fair and Effective Competition • Liberalization- Services Open to Competition • Basic domestic voice telephone • International telephone • Mobile telephone services (limited to current four licenses) • Data transmission, leased circuits, and private networks • Internet services

  15. Internet and IP-based Technology & Services • The development of the Internet and IP-based applications represents one of the most dramatic changes in the communications industry, and must be a centerpiece of Liberia’s Information Infrastructure.

  16. Stakeholder Workshop • Workshop scheduled for June 23-24 2005 • Was combined with the first draft of the Telecom Act prepared by the World Bank Consultants preparing the Draft Telecom Act • Worked with the Government to draw up the list of Government Attendees and the press who would be invited • Created list of other interested stakeholders, including donors, international organizations, NGOs, Small businesses, Telecom operators, Manufacturers, other private and/or ICT related businesses, and any other stakeholders interested • World Bank-Liberia sent out the invitations and the NTGL Chairman’s Office prepared a press release announcing the workshop

  17. Second Field Visit • Prior to the June Workshop we met with many of the Operators and the Government’s Special Presidential Telecom Committee to gain their feedback and comments on the Draft Policy • We incorporated their feedback into the new drafts to be discussed at the Workshop

  18. Stakeholder Workshop • One full day devoted to Policy discussions and 1/2 day devoted to Legal discussions • Very well attended--over 30 people for both days • Generated vigorous debate among all Stakeholders related to the key policy issues discussed • Garnered very good press coverage and good articles that clearly highlighted the Key goals, objectives, visions, and competition elements of the policy.

  19. Final Stages in Policy Formulation • Original goal was to finalize the policy after the workshop • To ensure that other stakeholders, both inside and outside Liberia, had a chance to provide their comments, feedback, and suggestions to the policy we extended the date by almost a month. • Provided online links to the Draft Telecom policy in two Liberian National Newspapers, the Perspective and the Analyst. • Opened up a 3 week comment period • Policy Finalized by Government on July 30, 2005

  20. Questions, Comments, Statements? Look forward to hearing from you Judith HellersteinPresident Hellerstein & Associateswww.jhellerstein.comJudith@jhellerstein.com +1 202 362-5139

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