Govt, NBTC join for broadband promotion
The ICT Ministry and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will sign an MoU today on their joint promotion of broadband service accessibility, in support of the government's ICT policy.
A source at the ministry said the collaboration would include the promotion of free public WiFi services. However, an NBTC source said this would not be easy, as the commission has its own plan to promote public broadband services to ensure equal broadband-service accessibility. Furthermore, its promotion of broadband services will need to proceed according to Universal Service Obligation (USO) regulations, which are being drafted.
Also, the NBTC is obliged to ensure than any spending on projects is done on a transparent basis and with a clear plan. The NBTC is expected to hold a public hearing on the draft USO regulations early next year.
As part of the government’s ICT policy announced to Parliament, the government will push the NBTC to spend money it plans to allocate for developing the telecom and broadcasting industries for the public benefit, to help the government promote free public Internet service.
