Somalis discuss proposed telecommunications bill in Dubai

Hiiraan Online
Monday, July 01, 2013

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Somalia is planning to have it’s first telecommunication bill to regulate Somali Telecommunication sector which runing unregulated since the government of Siyad Barre was overthrown in 1991.

Somali government and private sector companies have held discussions in Dubai,UAE on the proposed telecommunications bill which will be tabled in parliament.

Attended by local and international telecommunication companies and Organizations, the Somail government was represented by Minister of Information Posts and Telecommunication abdullahi Elmoge.

“We convened this meeting to discuss the proposed telecommunications act before it’s tabled in parliament, This is a very important bill to regulate and oversee the telecommunications sector of Somalia and we want all stake holders to voice their thoughts” said Prof. Mohamed Ibrahim one of the organizers of the conference.

Speaking to Hiiraan Online Minister of Information Posts and Telecommunications commended telecommunication companies in Somalia for the tremendous efforts they made in the years of the civil war.

“They made a remarkable efforts to expand the country’s telecommunications but lack of regulatory laws led to the misuse of our spectrum” Said the Minister.

“Our aim is not to interfere the telecommunications companies but is to put in place regulatory laws that can upheld the interests of customers and suppliers (companies)” Elmoge added.

Two experts from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) who attended the meeting pledged to provide all the necessary support for the government of Somalia and telecommunications companies to create a better environment that both sides can work together.

On Decemeber 2012, Somalia became a full member of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) following the end of the country's transition period.

A lawyer that was representing telecommunications companies warned the consequences of more regulatory laws could hinder the progress that was made in the past. He stated that Somalia has one of the most sophisticated telecommunication services in Africa.

Representatives of private companies also voiced their concern over the implementation of the decisions made during the conference since the government of Somalia does not fully control parts of the country which is under Alshabab rule.

Peter Lange Director of Intelligent Network noted the importance of enacting telecommunications regulatory laws having the fact of a growing competition of big telecommunications companies in the horn of Africa.

There are about 4.7 million people in Somalia that access telecommunication services which generates millions of money each year for telecommunication companies and as a result of that participants urged telecommunication companies to pay taxes.

Telecommunications companies expressed their deep gratitude to Minister of Information Posts and Telecommunication Abdullahi Elmoge for his unwavering efforts to put in place all necessary laws to standardize the country’s telecommunication infrastructure and promised to implement all the laws that was agreed upon.

Ahmed Abdisamad
[email protected]

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