Recent Development

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority ("ICTA") presented for public consultation the draft amendments to the legislation on authorization in the electronic communications sector on December 5, 2019. The amendments introduce new regulations on several topics, including application conditions for authorization, authorization periods and fees, competency controls, rights and obligations of operators, and authorization cancellation procedures for operators failing to provide electronic communication services.

What's New?

The ICTA published four draft documents on the amendments regarding authorization in the electronic communications sector:

  • Draft Regulation on Amending the Regulation on Authorization in the Electronic Communications Sector
  • Draft Notification Form
  • Draft Application Form for the Right to Use
  • Draft Regulation on Authorization Periods and Competency Controls

The ICTA plans to introduce amendments to the Regulation on Authorization in the Electronic Communications Sector on several matters, such as expanding the scope of conditions for authorization applications; the calculation of authorization fees and payment of fees for right to use; information and documents that authorized operators will regularly share with the ICTA; and authorization cancellation process for operators failing to provide electronic communication services. In accordance with the proposed changes, the ICTA also published two draft application forms regarding the authorization of operators, the notification form and application form for the right to use.

In addition, pursuant to the Draft Regulation on Authorization Periods and Competency Controls, the ICTA is planning to introduce new regulations regarding the calculation of authorization and authorization renewal periods, as well as the competency control periods.

The ICTA's public consultation page is available here.

Conclusion

The ICTA continues to take active steps to regulate the electronic communications sector. Stakeholders may submit their opinions until January 6, 2020 by using the form available on the ICTA's website.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.