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Key Stakeholder Roles
The Rural Telecommunications Program has been developed to provide basic
telecommunications services in the rural areas and thus improve the quality of life.
All stakeholders shall participate and contribute towards the successful
implementation and utilisation of the rural program. There is no doubt that this
program will assist in meeting the economic and social development of the country.
12.1
Government
The government shall continuously develop and review the sector policy
framework in order to provide an enabling environment for provision of
service. The Government shall oversee and manage the rollout of
appropriate infrastructure. The Government shall also establish a monitoring
mechanism for both the operators and the regulator in order to ensure that
the program is effectively implemented.
The Government shall also establish a funding mechanism to ensure that
operation and maintenance costs are funded accordingly. Government
ministries and departments are urged to enhance their coordination efforts
in a bid to boost efficiency.
12.2
Regulator
The regulator’s role is to ensure the program is executed in a fair,
transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The regulator shall also ensure
that an enabling environment exists for the provision of telecommunications
services to the rural areas in line with the aspirations of this program..
Regulatory intervention in the areas of licensing, interconnection, fees,
tariffs, numbering, spectrum and customer complaints are required to be
established and managed as part of monitoring process. The regulator will
also monitor the operators’ performance and protect consumers against
abuse. The regulator will also make sure that the program is equitable to all
parties and allow for quick and efficient dispute resolutions.
The regulator shall collect funds from levies or licensing activities to support
the Rural Telecommunications Program as provided for by the law. They
are also to contribute towards the cost of operating and maintaining the
operations of rural networks in the form of excess funds.
Rural Telecommunications Strategy
26 October 2006
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