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This article explores implementing the WSIS Action Plan and the challenges faced by regulators, emphasizing the importance of creating enabling environments for information and communication infrastructure. It discusses the access to information and knowledge, decentralized regulation, national and regional internet exchanges, and the significance of managing country code top-level domain names. The conclusion stresses the need for true independence and facilitating regulation in a technology-neutral manner.
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Implementing the WSIS Action PlanThe Challenge for Regulators Brian Longwe General Manager African ISP Association http://www.afrispa.org
Action Lines • Information & Communication Infrastructure • Access to Information & Knowledge • Enabling Environment • Convergence
Information & Communication Infrastructure • Prerequisite for achievement of the Millenium Goals • Fully liberalised, market driven environment • Incentives for underserved areas
Access to Information & Knowledge • Public Access to Operator Licenses • Disclosure of Research/Statistical data • “Decentralised” Regulation: Get closer to the people
Enabling Environment “…create a trustworthy, transparent and non-discriminatory legal, regulatory and policy environment”
Enabling Environment • Facilitate the establishment of National Internet Exchanges • Johannesburg Internet Exchange • Kenya Internet Exchange Point • Mozambique Internet Exchange • Uganda Internet Exchange Point • Tanzania Internet Exchange Point • Kinshasa Internet Exchange • Egyptian Internet Exchange • Zimbabwean Internet Exchange Point
Enabling Environment • Facilitate the establishment of Regional Internet Exchanges • African Regional Exchange Point Project • http://www.afrispa.org/documents/AfricanInternet-RXP-RFS.pdf • Major regulatory hurdles stand in the way of emerging regional carriers • Cross-Border connectivity • Single Regional Operator License • TRASA are ahead of the game and already have a model license for adoption within the SADC region
Enabling Environment “…manage or supervise, as appropriate, their respective country code top-level domain nam (ccTLD)”
Enabling Environment • In 2002, Kenya established the Kenya National Information Centre - KENIC • ccTLD Manager for .ke • Exemplary Public/Private Partnership (PPP) • Government • Regulator • Private Sector • Academia • Consumers
Conclusion • True Independence: freedom from “political interference” • Facilitator rather than Inhibitor • Swift and Decisive Regulation • futuristic, technology neutral outlook