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Regulation and the Digital Divide

A best practice regulatory environment can significantly increase investment in mobile networks and boost mobile penetration and usage.

Both individual consumers and society as a whole benefit when a regulatory framework exists in which the mobile sector can thrive and continue to make a vital contribution to the development of economies and societies. The long-term winners will be those countries whose governments set in place sound regulation of the mobile sector.

Our report
A GSMA report, ‘Regulation and the Digital Divide’, examines the impact of regulation on the development of the sector, looking specifically at the Sub Saharan region of Africa, and identifies the key elements required for a best practice regulatory environment. In order to maximise the significant benefits to economies and societies, governments, regulators, and mobile operators should develop a long-term partnership based on consultation, collaboration and sustainability.

Specific recommendations in the report include the following

Governments should:

• Establish a Telecommunications Act that enshrines the principles of fair competition, regulatory independence and reflects long term policy goals, linked to national, social and economic development targets.
• Create an effective National Regulatory Authority, which is independent from both undue political and financial pressures and is staffed by appropriately trained professionals.
• Create and maintain a national, strategic telecoms plan.
• Implement policies that minimise direct, mobile-specific taxation and, as a result, maximise the potential for investment by the private sector.

Regulators should:

• Develop appropriate resources and skills, in particular with regards to economics, to assess the impact and appropriateness of regulatory policies.
• Develop and communicate a clear set of regulatory policy objectives and targets.
• Implement consistent and transparent regulatory policy, and conduct regular consultation with stakeholders.
• Focus on reducing risk and commit to a stable and predictable environment.

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