Government ICT Policy: Key Determinants and Objectives

Lecture (3) Dr.Samah Mohammed 1

Government ICT policy is a key item on the ICT agenda today. But not all countries have the same decisions to make, nor the same time frame in which to make them. 2

Policy is the key determinant of legislation and regulation. Policy sets out the vision for ICT and its links to national development goals. Legislation establishes how policy is implemented by providing the legal foundation for the required institutions. For example, consultative, advisory and regulatory bodies and processes. 3

Legislation specifies the financial, staffing and reporting system under which the regulator operates and which define its functions and degree of independence. Regulatory agencies are responsible for developing regulations that lead to the implementation of policy and policy objectives, 4

The main objective of national ICT policy is to balance the benefits and the risks of expanded ICT use in a way that is consistent with national development goals. 5

1) this broad goal translates into a number of specific policy choices: 2) What to privatise? And when? 3) When to introduce competition in each market? 4) When to introduce regulation? 5) What to regulate and what to leave to market mechanisms? 6

While policies must address the extension of the communications infrastructure through telecommunications reform to stimulate private sector growth and create job opportunities this is a necessary but by no means sufficient condition for an effective ICT contribution to national development goals. ICT policy must also incorporate social goals by building human capacity and creating the conditions for the development of relevant applications and content. 7

ICT policies have to do with education, health, agriculture, culture and all other areas of activity that impact on quality of life. for example countries may commit to introducing ICTs into schools in order to expand educational opportunities and increase the supply of ICT-literate graduates. 8

There are three groups of national stakeholders: 1) Government. 2) Civil society. 3) Private sector. The Office of the Prime Minister or the President, the Ministry responsible for communications, other ministries relying on communications facilities to deliver their programmes. 9

Civil society voices national and international are thus emerging to influence market forces shaping ICT policy towards social equity. Interested civil society organisations include non-governmental organisations like: 1) Promoting the internet, 2) Trade unions, 3) Community development organisations 4) Professional associations, 5) Forums of ICT users. 10

The private sector ranges from single entrepreneurs setting up small ICT businesses to the big multinationals active in the country (internet service providers, software developers, technology producers, telecoms providers) and includes businesses that are users of technology, industry groups, chambers of commerce. 11

Negotiations should aim at a consensus among the three sectors on appropriate ICT policy, all share responsibility for ensuring that policy is carried through in legislation and regulation and for monitoring the implementation of the policy once the regulatory institutions have been established. 12

Government is usually the driver of ICT policy development. Key players from the public sector are the Ministry responsible for communications, the national telecommunications operator and the regulator. Other ministries with an interest in the outcome should also be involved. These include, for example, education, health, trade and industry 13

Leading the policy reform process from the office of either the President or the Prime Minister as was the case in Mozambique has advantages: it demonstrates high level commitment to ICT policy, it ensures that the process is not captured by the narrow technical concerns of the communications sector and, it ensures that all interested ministries and public sector bodies will be encouraged to participate. 14

The success of policy depends on how people use the new tools that become available to them computers, fixed line phones, mobiles or the internet once the policy is implemented. 15

Open consultations in public meetings held throughout the country, and interactive web sites that provide space for comments and access to relevant documents, are used widely to ensure public participation in both policy and regulation. It is more of a challenge to organise civil society participation in developing countries where the habits of consultation may be less protected. 16