HIPSSA/SA-1

Support for Harmonization of the ICT Policies in Sub-Sahara AfricaФ or the HIPSSA project is part of a programme funded by European Commission and ITU covering all ACP countries. It builds on the experience gained and the lessons learned from a previous EC-ITU pilot project successfully implemented in West Africa between 2004 and 2006. It aims at supporting the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and respective countries to develop, promote and use harmonized policies and regulatory frameworks for the ICT market as well as building human and institutional capacity in the field of ICT through a range of targeted training and knowledge sharing measures. See the following web page for a complete overview of all projects activities: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/projects/ITU_EC_ACP/hipssa/index.html)

SADC ICT policy and legal framework review and update–

SADC Policy Guidelines on Convergence

Version to stakeholders

22 March 2010

by

SBR Juconomy Consulting AG

Nordstr. 116, D-40477 Düsseldorf

Authors:

Dr. Ernst-Olav Ruhle / Prof. Dr. Fabian Schuster / Mag. Jörg Kittl

Contents

Introduction

Objectives of convergence regulation To facilitate development of a national communications / ICT infrastructure for an information based society, and to enable equitable, non-discriminatory access thereto; To provide plurality, diversity and a wide choice of services at high quality to consumers with a view to promoting plurality of news, views and information and that communication services are made available at affordable cost to all, especially uncovered areas including the rural, and remote areas; To establish a regulatory framework for carriage and content of electronic communications that addresses the convergence of technologies, To define the powers, roles, procedures and functions of the respective regulatory body and licensing authority for broadcasting, telecommunications, data-communication, and multimedia and other related technologies and services; To establish a regulatory framework for the development of the communications (ICT) sector in a transparent, competitive environment towards economic development supporting the principle of a level playing field for all operators and service providers, including an open licensing policy; To encourage the introduction new technologies, investment in services and infrastructure and maximisation of communication facilities and services.

Definition The integration of customer end terminal equipment/access devices such as the telephone, television and personal computer. The provision of various communication services like text, data, image, multimedia and video over the existing infrastructure or over a single transmission medium. The capability of the same technology (infrastructure) to offer various services. The provision of different services under a converged licensing regime. The convergence (substitution) of fixed and wireless technologies/services.

Key principles of convergence regulation Technology and service neutrality Content Institutions Bottlenecks Market entry and licensing Access and interoperability Frequency spectrum Numbering, naming, addressing, and routing design numbering plans for mobility enable technological convergence between telephone and IP- addressing (especially ENUM) foster competition by introduction of number portability (also intermodal) Identity management End users are increasingly using multiple identities. These identities may be associated with differing contexts and service privileges. The identities may only partially identify the end user. The identities may be used anywhere, anytime. The identities may not be interoperable between providers. Assurance of identity information (e.g., identifiers, credentials, and attributes) Assurance of the identity of an entity (e.g., users/subscribers, user devices, service providers, and network elements) Enablement of business and security applications. Pricing Universal access/service Quality, safety and security Consumer Interests Mediation Competition and investment