This is an area of rapid technological development where the IIC has four active chapters running events and producing reports on trends and challenges in the region.
Mobile operators will now pay excise duty on all M-Pesa commissions in Tanzania, reports AllAfrica. "Unveiling his 2016/2017 national budget, finance and planning minister, Philip Mpango, said a new 10% excise duty on mobile money transactions will apply for both sending and receiving transactions.
Manuel Kohnstamm, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Liberty Global
The European Commission has opened a consultation on a coordinated introduction of 5G networks in Europe.
A joint paper by the French Competition Authority (Autorité de la concurrence) and the German Competition Authority (Bundeskartellamt) on data and competition, provides background on the approach to data likely to be taken by two of the most active competition authorities in the EU, a blog at Bird & Bird notes.
Indonesian regulators from the Ministry of Information and Communication (Kominfo), Bank Indonesia (BI), Financial Services Authority (OJK), and the telecommunications regulator (BRTI), met with industry representatives from the cloud computing industry in various meetings between 5-6 Sep 2018.
On 22 November 2017, Ms Lim May-Ann, Executive Director of the ACCA, presented findings from ACCA’s Asia’s Financial Services: Ready for the Cloud report at the National Institute for Public Policy and Finance (NIPFP) in New Delhi.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published the final report of its communications sector market study, which includes 28 recommendations and actions on competition and consumer issues.
A deal to make public sector websites more accessible – particularly to those with disabilities – has been agreed by the three European Union institutions, notes Ars Technica.
Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin gave a wide-ranging speech at the Telecommunications and Media Forum in Sydney covering some of the major shifts the ACMA expects in the Australian communications landscape over the next four years.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will, in consultation with key stakeholders, undertake a Scam Technology Project (the Project) to explore practical technological solutions to address the proliferation of scams over Australian telecommunications networks.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
How should we define the digital economy and what are its policy implications? MARI PANGESTU and PETER LOVELOCK provide an Asia-Pacific perspective.
January 2018, Volume 45 Issue 4
Zero rating is a highly controversial aspect of the internet. AUGUSTO PRETA and PENG PENG provide a cost-benefit analysis amid the context of net neutrality.
July 2016, Volume 44 Issue 02
As the OECD prepares for a ministerial meeting on the digital economy, Jørgen Abild Andersen argues that the highest level of coordination among many government departments is needed to deliver its aims
April 2016, Volume 44 Issue 01
The hype about the next generation of mobile technology is likely to gather pace in the next few years, but currently there is a lot of scepticism about whether it qualifies as an integrated, great leap in progress, as Marc Beishon finds in this round-up
July 2016, Volume 44 Issue 02
As regulators start to fundamentally review their remits, Chris Chapman, the incoming president of the IIC and chair of Australia’s ACMA, details the extent of digital disruption and possible regulatory response, in this two-part article.
January 2016, Volume 43 Issue 04
Are regulations being applied to cloud computing in a way that stimulates innovation, asks Kuan Hon.
January 2016, Volume 43 Issue 04
The modern sharing economy is small but growing - and enabled by the internet. John Ure discusses its possible impact and where regulation may be heading, with particular reference to Asia.
March 2015, Volume 43 Issue 01
Matt Hatton reviews the main regulatory trends in the world of M2M and the internet of things.
March 2015, Volume 43 Issue 01
H Sama Nwana makes a passionate case for promoting TMT and not just telecoms in Africa – a case that could benefit all developing nations.
June 2015, Volume 43 Issue 02
Universal access and service programmes are vital to extending broadband to all parts of a country. Antonio GarcIa Zaballos discusses the findings of a comparative report.
June 2015, Volume 43 Issue 02
Trends in internet video services are becoming apparent, and regulatory and competition agencies need to respond, as Augusto preta reports.
June 2015, Volume 43 Issue 02
How can ICT best be deployed to advance the new Sustainable Development Goals? M-H Carolyn Nguyen and Paul Mitchell review the history and current position.
January 2016, Volume 43 Issue 04
The goal of promoting digital infrastructure is seeing economic and social progress. peter lovelock takes stock of Asian developments.
September 2015, Volume 43 Issue 03
The pressure on terrestrial broadcasters to give spectrum to the mobile sector shows no sign of letting up. Roland Beutler, at Germany's Südwestrundfunk, a regional public broadcaster, puts his side of the debate.
September 2015, Volume 43 Issue 03
President and General Counsel, Star TV group in India
September 2015, Volume 43 Issue 03
The challenges of the digital economy are nowhere more apparent than in Asia, as the IIC’s TMF in Singapore explored. Report by CRISTINA MURRONI
April 2018, Volume 46 Issue 1
Richard Womersley sets the scene for the upcoming world radio conference, where the agenda for mobile spectrum is likely to dominate proceedings.
September 2015, Volume 43 Issue 03
Kuala Lumpur was the location for the IIC’s 2019 Asia Telecommunications and Media Form (TMF). Report by CRISTINA MURRONI.
April 2019, Volume 47 Issue 1
Pai was appointed as a commissioner by Barack Obama in 2012. Among his views: “Given how rapidly the communications sector is changing, the FCC should do everything it can to ensure that its rules reflect the realities of the current marketplace and basic principles of economics.”
April 2017, Volume 45 Issue 1
We got there in the end: The European Commission makes a big point about ‘roam like at home’, the end of mobile roaming charges in the European Union on 15 June, a ban that has taken ten years to negotiate.
July 2017, Volume 45 Issue 2
With Syed Shah, chairman of Pakistan’s telecoms authority, PTA.
October 2016, Volume 44 Issue 03
With Takamiki Nishikawa, senior counsel at Fox Networks Group Japan.
October 2016, Volume 44 Issue 03
The IIC’s TMF in Sydney was packed with high-level speakers from a region at the forefront of regulatory issues, as CRISTINA MURRONI reports.
October 2018, Volume 46 Issue 3
Bangladesh’s government has proposed simplifying regulations by introducing a single spectrum licence for mobile operators to replace separate permits for each mobile technology, notes Mobile World Live, from an item in the Daily Star.
Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) has defended a cap on the amount of bandwidth that operators will be able to acquire in its forthcoming auction of 5G-suitable spectrum, notes TeleGeography. According to the Taipei Times a discussion regarding the upcoming frequency sale was held involving representatives of the country’s telecoms providers.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore and the regulator, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), have joined forces to establish Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), to better support and capitalise on the growth opportunities for Singapore’s technology sector.
Standards Australia has published a discussion paper ‘Developing Standards for Artificial Intelligence: Hearing Australia’s Voice’, as part of a process to ensure Australian stakeholders stay engaged with the global AI rollout, including AI-based solutions and governance.
Revised consumer protection rules approved by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will impact Telcos, requiring them to explain terms and conditions clearly and to assess a customer’s capacity to pay.
A new domain plan to measure New Zealand’s ongoing evolution into a digital nation has been released by Stats NZ and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Government statistician, Liz MacPherson, says that the release of a digital nation domain plan is a step towards “making sure that we’re collecting essential data to track and understand how new and emerging technologies are affecting New Zealand.
The Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has released a draft telecoms market competition policy for consultation. The Cook Islands has been serviced by a single operator, partly-owned by the government, under a legislated monopoly since 1989, with limited independent oversight.
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has stepped up its efforts to reclaim spectrum from bankrupt cellco Aircel, demanding that the firm return its airwaves on the basis that the DoT is owed dues from the defunct provider, notes TeleGeography.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
The Intellectual Property Data Platform initiative from IP Australia will enable researchers and policy makers to investigate and interrogate data in a powerful cloud-based analytical environment.
Following the 2019 Australian Federal Election, Paul Fletcher, Member for Bradfield, has been appointed Australia’s new Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts.
“95% of parents want more information about online safety,” says Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who has conducted research on parenting in the digital age. The first government agency in the world dedicated to online safety, eSafety produced the report ‘Parenting in the digital age’ to explore the experience of parents and carers raising children in a fast-paced connected world.
The Australian Press Council has responded to raids by the Australian Federal Police in June 2019. The raid on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Sydney headquarters were over ‘the Afghan Files’ – a series of investigative stories published in 2017 revealing allegations of unlawful conduct by Australian special forces that were based on secret documents leaked to the ABC.
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has launched a public consultation to seek views from the industry and public on the appropriate regulatory frameworks and policies for 5G.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) wants the government to identify spectrum being held by various departments and agencies for effective commercial application of the scarce natural resource, notes the Economic Times.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided to oppose the proposed merger between TPG Telecom and Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA). The ACCC has concluded that it is likely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of mobile services because the merger would preclude TPG entering as the fourth mobile network operator in Australia.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will, in consultation with key stakeholders, undertake a Scam Technology Project (the Project) to explore practical technological solutions to address the proliferation of scams over Australian telecommunications networks.
The Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Bill 2019, which criminalises internet companies that don’t move fast to remove ‘abhorrent’ video and images passed the Australian Parliament, Thursday 4th April 2019.
Google has rejected calls by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for tougher scrutiny of its operations, denying that it enjoys market power in online searches and advertising, Reuters reports.
The ACMA Communications report 2017–18 has confirmed the fast pace of changes in Australia’s communications and media landscape.
Australia’s Digital Platforms Inquiry preliminary report recently attracted more than 70 submissions. The report, published in December 2018 by the ACCC, covers the inquiry which has highlighted the need for reforms to media laws.
A report of the statutory review of the Defamation Act 2005 (the Act), which implements the Model Defamation Provisions (MDP) in NSW has covered key issues pertaining to Australian defamation law.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
Australians’ ever-increasing appetite for data-hungry video services is transforming the communications landscape, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Communications report 2017–18.
The Philippines House of Representatives has unanimously approved House Bill 3437, which seeks to provide for an “online network establishment” (ONE) policy for the country. Principally authored by deputy speaker Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, HB 3437 or the “ONE Philippines Act” hopes to minimise the so-called digital divide and speed up wireless communications technology in the country.
The Indian government has turned down a proposal to offer free data to the poor, with the Telecom Commission, the top decision-making body on telecoms matters, refusing to agree to a recommendation made by regulator TRAI.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
The Philippines ICT agency has called on telecoms operators to raise their game to provide more reliable internet connections for workers, after the government passed new regulations allowing employees to work from home, notes Mobile World Live.
Most online video streaming platforms in India have agreed to a code of self-regulation that may receive endorsement from the country’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry, reports the Economic Times.
India can be a frontrunner in deployment of 5G but much will hinge on bolstering investments in fibre infrastructure, which is currently inadequate and trailing countries like China, RS Sharma, chair of India’s regulator, TRAI, has said at a digital summit meeting.
India can be a frontrunner in deployment of 5G but much will hinge on bolstering investments in fibre infrastructure, which is currently inadequate and trailing countries like China, RS Sharma, chair of India’s regulator, TRAI, has said at a digital summit meeting.
Chris Chapman, President of the IIC and the inaugural Chair of the ACMA – December 2018
According to website, International Law Office, the Chinese government’s growing concerns about certain aspects of blockchain have triggered a number of recent regulatory responses. For example, in June 2018 the government learned of a vaccine scandal in which improper wording was allegedly uploaded to Ethereum (a type of blockchain).
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has published preliminary recommendations in its digital platforms inquiry, which is covering Google, Facebook and the Australian news and advertising industries. The report contains 11 preliminary recommendations and eight areas for further analysis as the inquiry continues.
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly reconsidering the application of a flat annual spectrum usage charge (SUC) and is expected to contact the law ministry for its opinion on the matter, notes TeleGeography. “SUCs currently vary, with different rates having been set for each auction.
Australian telecoms industry group, the Communications Alliance, says it is concerned over a government proposal for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to oversee the complaints body, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), reports Computerworld. “Industry has never controlled the TIO – nor should we,” Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton said.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called on leaders of Asia-Pacific economies to do much more to shape rules for emerging areas in the digital economy, such as electronic payments and digital identity, reports the Straits Times.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has re-started the debate on regulating over the top (OTT) services such as WhatsApp and Skype by issuing a consultation paper, “Regulatory framework for OTT communication services”. “This consultation paper seeks to analyse and discuss the implications of the growth of OTT services…
According to a 12-month report into the ACMA’s actions under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, thirty-three prominent offshore wagering sites have withdrawn from Australian markets over a 12 month period.
“We expect to see unprecedented innovation in the global communications and media environment driven by accelerating advances in technology. This has the potential to deliver great benefits for the Australian community, but also challenges, as new technologies and platforms test the boundaries of our regulatory frameworks...”
This analysis shows cultural and creative activity contributed $111.7 billion to Australia’s economy in 2016-1, an increase of $25.8 billion or 30.0 per cent. Cultural and creative activity relates to many sectors – the arts, media, heritage, design, fashion and information technology.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
Europe’s telecoms CEOs have issued their latest vision for Europe’s next policy agenda, via the European Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO), highlighting that with 5G and artificial intelligence (AI) at the doorstep, “the network and services landscape is about to be revolutionised.
A Malaysian government initiative designed to reduce fixed broadband prices while increasing speeds at the same time is on track, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), notes TeleGeography.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided to reduce the scope of consultation for the proposed regulatory framework for over the top (OTT) platforms such as WhatsApp and Skype, according to a report by Live Mint.
Governments in Asia can expand the region’s digital economy and unlock further socio-economic benefits for their citizens by removing unnecessary restrictions on the movement of data internationally, according to a report by the GSMA.
New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has released an issues paper calling for submissions on its initial assessment of the mobile market that is being carried out under Section 9A of the Telecommunications Act 2001.
Members of the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA) and the Asia Cloud Computing Association (ACCA) met on 3 Sep 2018 in Hong Kong to discuss the HK Securities and Financial Commission (FSC's) request for information around cloud and data storage.
Indonesian regulators from the Ministry of Information and Communication (Kominfo), Bank Indonesia (BI), Financial Services Authority (OJK), and the telecommunications regulator (BRTI), met with industry representatives from the cloud computing industry in various meetings between 5-6 Sep 2018.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
TRAI, India’s telecoms regulator, has said the existing framework for protection of personal data by companies and service providers is insufficient and has recommended stricter rules to tackle data breaches, notes Reuters.
Amid concerns about increasingly sophisticated online threats, Singapore and France have pledged to beef up cooperation on cybersecurity and exchange ideas on regulatory approaches to safeguarding user data in the digital sphere.
A human rights campaigner has urged the Malaysian government to form a taskforce of officials and concerned citizens for discussions on changes to the Communications and Multimedia Act, reports Free Malaysia Today.
India’s regulator, TRAI, has released the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference regulation, which is aimed at cutting down the number of fraudulent and intrusive calls across the country, reports Firstpost.
Former chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Keith Mitchell, says Caricom is soon to launch a multistakeholder partnership to fast-track specific elements of the “single ICT space”, notes the Jamaica Observer.
Eight months after India’s telecoms regulator came out swinging heavily in favour of the principle of net neutrality, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has finally agreed to adopt the same, reports the Wire.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
Stuart Cunningham, Professor of Media and Communications, Queensland University of Technology
Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) Chair, Nerida O’Loughlin gave a wide-ranging speech at the Telecommunications and Media Forum in Sydney covering some of the major shifts the ACMA expects in the Australian communications landscape over the next four years.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published the final report of its communications sector market study, which includes 28 recommendations and actions on competition and consumer issues.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a revised draft of proposed restrictions on gambling advertisements during live sport.
The Cambodian government will monitor all news and social networking sites with immediate effect, “to prevent the spread of information that can cause social chaos and threaten national security”, reports the Phnom Penh Post.
A US telecoms official has tipped spectrum sharing to play a key role in the government’s plan to alleviate a shortage of available commercial airwaves in the country, notes Mobile World Live.
India’s Department of Telecom has issued a notification on Tuesday saying that internet telephony services are “untethered from the underlying access network”.
RS Sharma, chair of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Johannes Gungl, chair of European regulators body, BEREC, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which they advocate for effective electronic communications regulation.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
A number of Thailand's public sector agencies hosted closed-door industry discussions with technology companies, during a public policy delegation organised by the Asia Cloud Computing Association (ACCA) in June 2018.
Japan Communications says it has received Japan’s first regulatory certification under both the Radio Law and Telecommunications Business Law for an unlicensed LTE (u-LTE) base station – and JCI chairman Frank Seiji Sanda says, “u-LTE is the first step in the obsolescence of legacy mobile operators.”
Google is under investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the country’s Privacy Commissioner following claims that it collects data from millions of Android smartphone users, who unwittingly pay their telecoms service providers for gigabytes consumed by the activity, reports Reuters.
Japan Communications says it has received Japan’s first regulatory certification under both the Radio Law and Telecommunications Business Law for an unlicensed LTE (u-LTE) base station – and JCI chairman Frank Seiji Sanda says, “u-LTE is the first step in the obsolescence of legacy mobile operators.”
The Australian attorney-general’s department (AGD) has argued in favour of extending Australia's telecoms interception laws from telcos to over the top providers, reports ZDNet.
Industry and regulatory highlights from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published the final report of its communications sector market study, which includes 28 recommendations and actions on competition and consumer issues.
A paper published by Brookings looks at the importance of cross-border data flows, taking Asia as a model, and why they need regulating to stimulate the digital economy.
The telecoms regulator in Taiwan has warned that sparking a price war could impair how much operators are willing to invest in new services and networks, including 5G, reports Telecoms Tech.
Myanmar will collect tax on telecoms operators to extend the telecoms network to remote areas of the country, reports the Myanmar Times.
The Cloud Readiness Index (CRI) 2018 is the fifth iteration of the Asia Cloud Computing Association’s (ACCA) flagship report.
Asia Cloud Computing Association (ACCA)’s report launch, Asia’s Financial Services on the Cloud 2018: Regulatory Landscape Impacting the Use of Cloud by Financial Services Institutions in Asia
30th April 2018.
Industry and regulatory news from the Asia Pacfic region compiled by TRPC.
After partially banning gambling advertisements during the broadcast of live sports on free-to-air and commercial television last month, the ACMA has proposed mirrored restrictions for online streaming services.
The Innovation, Industry, Science and Resources Committee has completed its report for the Inquiry into impacts on local businesses in Australia from global internet-based competition.
The Bureau of Communications and Arts Research has released a working paper assessment that details the potential impacts of 5G on Australia’s productivity and growth.
O’Loughlin addressed current and future challenges and opportunities in the industry, how the ACMA is progressing with implementing reforms agreed by the government,...
The Australian Government has announced a joint initiative with the ten countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote digital trade and support inclusive economic growth in our region.
ACMA has released draft complaints-handling rules designed to improve the experience of consumers moving to the National Broadband Network.
Gambling advertisements will be banned during the broadcast of live sports between 5am and 8:30pm on commercial free-to-air TV, radio and pay TV, ACMA has announced.
The Australian Government has announced a review of the Australian Copyright Act 1968 following on from the Productivity Commission’s review and report on Australia’s Intellectual Property Arrangements.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is aiming to develop a framework similar to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to aid the rollout of public Wi-Fi hotspots in the country, notes Live Mint.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has started a public inquiry to determine whether declaration of the domestic transmission capacity service (DTCS) remains appropriate in light of changes to the market, including the growth of commercial alternatives available to service providers, new National Broadband Network (NBN) products for business customers, and industry consolidation.
India has approved relief measures for the telecoms sector, revising limits on spectrum holdings and allowing operators longer to pay for airwaves won at auction, with a view to freeing up funds for investment, improving ease of doing business and allowing for consolidation in the sector, reports TeleGeography.
IIC Thailand Chapter is committed to facilitate discussions on digital ecosystem and digital transformation to the country and Southeast Asian region.
India’s antitrust watchdog imposed a 1.36 billion rupees ($21.17 million) fine on Google for “search bias” and abuse of its dominant position, in the latest regulatory setback for the world’s most popular internet search engine, reports Reuters.
New Government-approved changes will make for a more efficient and transparent management framework in Australia.
Australian agencies and organisations will be obligated by law to report data breaches under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme from 22 February 2018.
APAC Bytes February 2018
A number of Malaysia’s public sector agencies hosted closed-door industry discussions with technology companies, during a public policy delegation organised by the Asia Cloud Computing Association (ACCA) visit in late January 2018.
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