7.2 Allocation of Scarce Resources
The required scarce resources in the provision of telecommunications service
such as spectrum, numbering, and rights of way shall be addressed through
the issuance of separate and specific licences. Frequency spectrum shall be
allocated through a separate radio licence. Numbering and rights of way shall
be incorporated within the systems licence. Both the management and
allocation of spectrum and numbering shall be carried out by the regulator
7.3 Consumer Protection
Monitoring shall take place to protect the consumer from high costs and poor
quality of service. The regulator shall be responsible for monitoring and
establishing a procedure for consumers to follow when they have complaints.
7.4 Interconnection
Interconnection is one of the most significant market entry barriers in the
telecommunications
sector.
Without
appropriate
interconnection
administration, the market is distorted in favour of incumbents. To address
this familiar challenge and to promote the sustainability of both traditional and
alternative business models, costs associated with interconnection shall be
optimised.
Regulatory intervention is required to establish and manage a modified
interconnect agreement process for the rural areas. The process must ensure
agreements are quickly concluded and rates are correctly set to enable the
operators to build and sustain a viable business model. As a pre-emptive
measure towards the attainment of this goal as well as to minimize costs
associated with interconnection, it is required that:
i)
Interconnection shall take place at the nearest and identified
technically feasible points.
ii)
The interconnection agreement shall be concluded by concerned
operators within a maximum period of 60 days or it will automatically
be adjudicated by the regulator.
iii)
Interconnection fees shall be cost based and the rates prescribed.
Rural Telecommunications Strategy
26 October 2006
19