A Suitable ICT policy framework for Sri Lanka - licensing, interconnection and spectrum management aspects

Abstract

A Suitable ICT Policy Framework for Sri Lanka - Licensing, Interconnection and Spectrum Management Aspects World ICT industry is rapidly changing over time and most significant aspect that can be seen is the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, IT and content. With this change in technology as well as industry, regulation of them is becoming more and more important in order to pass the maximum benefit to the general users. Regulation depends on policy towards the industry, hence a strong policy stance is vital for any country to reap the real value of ICT. In Sri Lankan context, regulatory convergence has not yet taken place. Also Sri Lanka has no clear strategy on how to use ICT for its economic and social development. Moreover, Sri Lankan ICT policy must be strengthen on addressing universal access and overcoming digital divide. A literature survey was carried out to identify what is policy, public policy formulation, importance of ICT policy to a country and relationship between policy and regulation. ICT policies and legislations of selected countries were then examined. Next, the expected benefits for the Sri Lankan economy and society as a whole from the ICT sector was looked at. Finally a policy framework was recommended to Sri Lanka to achieve the long term goals. These recommendations were also discussed and got validated from the Regulator. Sri Lanka targets to achieve economic and social development through promoting ICT industry. In order to achieve that industry must be regulated in a converged manner through a single body, correct level of competition to be maintained and each sector to be regulated at appropriate level. It is recommended that international standard to be followed in spectrum allocation and bandwidths are given for research activities. Local interconnection must be handled through regulatory intervention, while outside connections are also to be aggressively looked at.