Body to monitor information and technology proposal

Citing the need for a concentrated focus on the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, Government has proposed the creation of a converged regulator to monitor the industry.

According to the proposed ICT policy document tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, this is in response to "the shortcomings of a variegated approach and the concentrated focus required to provide flexible, responsive and specialist regulation to meet the demands of the fast-growing ICT sector."

Phillip Paulwell, opposition spokesman on energy and the ICT sector, has endorsed the move that would see the merging of the functions of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) and the technical side of the Broadcasting Commission.

"This is good, in that you now have one specialised agency that would deal with all aspects of telecommunications, which would mean a more efficiently regulated telecoms sector," he said.

Currently, the OUR is mandated to provide an avenue of appeal for consumers with grievances about a utility company. SMA regulates the radio frequency spectrum and serves as an advisory body to the minister with responsibility for telecommunications, while the Broadcasting Commission monitors and regulates the electronic media.

Given the range of technical content issues in the digital age and the challenges being encountered at this stage of Jamaica's socio-cultural development, the policy also made provision for the separation of content regulation.

The policy states that "as an administrative measure, the ICT regulator will be required to adopt and adhere to rules and procedures, which facilitate the highest standard of procedural efficiency, transparency and responsiveness to technological changes."

RESPONSE TO CONCERNS

Legislative provision has also been made to respond to concerns regarding quality of service and protection of personal information, as well as minimum quality of service standards such as the publishing of industry reports, the intervention of the ICT regulator and redress for the customer where the carriers and service providers are not sufficiently responsive to customer complaints.

Consideration was also given to the inadequacies of the current legislative framework within the context of convergence and a decision taken to harmonise the existing laws.

Features of the new legislation being contemplated will include a periodic review of the legal framework.

mark.titus@gleanerjm.com