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Regulatory framework for ICT too fragmented - Mwanawasa

Regulatory framework for ICT too fragmented - Mwanawasa
By Kabanda Chulu
Thursday March 29, 2007 [02:00]

THE regulatory framework in the Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) sector is too fragmented, President Levy Mwanawasa has said. And communications minister Peter Daka has urged service providers to reduce costs for ICT tools because they have become addictive to people. Officially launching the national ICT policy yesterday in Lusaka, President Mwanawasa - whose speech was read on his behalf by Vice President Rupiah Banda - said there was need to harmonise regulatory bodies that govern the ICT sector.

He said the Communications Authority regulates the telecommunications services, the Postal and Courier services is regulated by his ministry while the information ministry regulates broadcasting services. President Mwanawasa also directed the Ministry of Communications and Transport to expedite the implementation of e.governance (electronic governance) in all government institutions by way of connecting all departments to the government website. He said the ICT policy would contribute to national development through creation of an innovative and market responsive competitive sector.

And Daka said ICT tools were playing an integral part in economic development. “We therefore appeal to service providers to make these tools affordable because they have become too addictive. For instance, some people prefer to be hungry in order to buy scratch cards (talk time),” said Daka.

Labels: ICT

posted by MrK @ 3:41 AM