MINISTRY OF WORKS, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
3. other services.
The Government should decide on the allocation of services between the
latter two categories. The assets and liabilities as well as the personnel of
BTC will have to be accounted for separately between the three parts
of the operations. In the longer term perspective, all BTC activities which
are provided under actual or potential competition should be carried out
in a separately established company. This would be important to
demonstrate that Government does not give any subsidies or undue
preferences to BTC in relation to other competitors.
8.6 MANDATORY AND MUTUAL
OBLIGATION IS INTRODUCED.
INTERCONNECTION
Justification. In order to rationalise the use of present network and to
avoid duplication of infrastructure all new and present networks should
be interconnected for national economic benefit as well as for the benefit
of consumers.
Implications. A mandatory requirement will ensure the integrity of the
national network and avoid fragmentation. Experience shows, however,
that interconnection arrangements between operators in a liberalised
market have been a long and frustrating process to work out. The former
monopolist will most likely try to make life difficult for prospective
competitors by being moderately interested in coming to an agreement
about charges and tariffs for the use of the network. Clear and precise
formulas need to be worked out if introduction of competition really is
going to succeed.
8.7 REGULATORY FUNCTIONS ARE SEPARATED FROM
OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS AND A REGULATORY
AUTHORITY IS ESTABLISHED.
Justification. Regulation of the industry becomes much more
complicated when there is more than one operator in the market and the
incumbent operator (BTC) cannot be a player and referee at the same
time.
Implications. With introduction of competition there are many new
regulatory functions that need to be addressed. Examples of regulations in
this area include licensing of private operators, supervision and handling
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY FOR BOTSWANA