STAFF REPORT ISB: The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved the Telecom Policy 2015 designed to attract investment and innovation in the sector.


The policy includes various new elements such as competition framework, spectrum strategy, spectrum sharing, satellite communication, which were not present in earlier policies.


The vision articulated in the policy is availability of universal, affordable and quality telecommunication services provided through open, competitive and well-managed markets which can be used by people to the benefit of the economy and society.


It is expected that competition framework will make telecom market more efficient in terms of quality of service and choice of services available to the consumers. Major new element of the new policy relates to provision of a wholesome treatment for frequency spectrum management in the country.


Under the new policy, the Universal Service Fund (USF) will be utilised for provisioning of telephony, internet, broadband services and establishment of telecenters in underserved and unserved areas.


Special projects to cater for specific needs of people related to telecommunication and ICTs will be undertaken. Provision of broadband access to education institutes and healthcare institutions is also made part of mandate of USF. Under this policy operators are enable to deploy WiFi hot spots for public use.


After the meeting, a participants of the ECC meeting told the media that the issue of rationalisation of taxes is not included in it and would be conversed separately through policy directives as discussions with the Finance Ministry are already on.


Minister for IT Anusha Rehman said that there is potential of enhancing the export of $1 billion and the government wants to achieve this target.


The meeting was informed that the Telecom Policy 2015 is an outcome of extensive consultations and confirmations with international best practices in which foremost importance has been given to the views of stakeholders to ensure the element of inclusiveness in the policy.

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