Activities Report 2009 ARCTEL-CPLP

Transcription

1 Activities Report 2009 ARCTEL-CPLP Index 1. Introduction 2. Operational objectives achieved in Conclusions

2 1. Introduction ARCTEL was constituted on 9 October 2008 by the National Regulatory Authorities (NRA) of communications and telecommunications in the Lusophone space of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries): Instituto Angolano das Comunicações (INACOM, Angola), Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL, Brazil), Agência Nacional das Comunicações (ANAC, Cape Verde), Instituto das Comunicações da Guiné-Bissau (ICGB, Guinea-Bissau), Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Moçambique (INCM, Mozambique), Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM, Portugal), Autoridade Geral de Regulação (AGER, Sao Tome and Principe) and Autoridade Reguladora das Comunicações (ARCOM, East Timor). As a primary objective, this Association aims to contribute to the promotion of communications markets in the CPLP, providing users with maximum benefit in terms of choice, price and quality of service Given the historical ties of friendship and cooperation between the eight Portuguesespeaking countries, the objective is foster the development of economic and business cooperation through projects of common interest. The ARCTEL project is firmly based on the exchange of information and sharing of experiences with regard to the regulation of the communications sector. It is in this context and in order to make Portuguese speaking community aware of the activities performed in accordance with these guidelines, that the present Activities Report was prepared, thereby responding to the provisions of the statutes of ARCTEL-

3 CPLP - Associação de Reguladores de Comunicações e Telecomunicações da CPLP (Association of Regulators Communications and Telecommunications of the CPLP), as approved on 9 October This document is a resume of the activities conducted by ARCTEL in 2009, during the Cape Verde Presidency. 2. Operational objectives achieved in 2009 In the Activities Plan approved in 2009, first year of the Association, it was relevant to focus on the creation of conditions and working instruments which enable the Association s function and its affirmation in the international scene. As such, the following priorities were defined: I. Creation of an image and website; II. Creation of a Contact Network; III. Establishment of the Lusophone Forum of Communications; IV. Production of periodical publications: a. ARCTEL-CPLP Regulation Year-book (a summary of the main activities undertaken by each member); b. Association Newsletter. V. Online Legislative Compilation; VI. Internal and external promotion initiatives. The Presidency and the Secretariat have worked together to achieve all the above taskes in time.

4 I. Creation of an image and website: Once the image was approved at the General Assembly, various documents were developed and prepared, including: a) Creation of the Association's Website; b) Production of Stationary; c) Development of the Association's promotional brochure; d) Production of a Newsletter. a) Association Website The ARCTEL-CPLP takes an open position and one based on the dissemination of information on developments in the communications sector within the CPLP, in order to contribute to a better level of information among the general public. It was along these lines that the website was created, where information is provided about the activities of the Association, of members and CPLP sector news. b) Stationary After the Association's logo was approved, a range of stationary was developed to support the work of the Secretariat ( such as envelopes, folders, notepaper, business cards). All of the Association's communications are made using its image and in a uniform manner.

5 c) Brochure Given the need to promote the Association and to affirm its position and role, in partnership with the Secretariat, the Presidency has developed and published a promotional brochure and presentation of the Association in four languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish and French. d) Association Newsletter As with any organization, it is important to establish with the various interlocutors, the fastest and most effective forms of communication. In this respect the "Association Newsletter", prepared by the Secretariat, has the objective of providing regular information on the latest and most relevant news as well as details of events taking place in the short and medium term. It was decided not to set a release schedule, whereby the Newsletter would be sent according to the volume and relevance of information to be communicated. Visitors to the Association's website can register online if they wish to receive this Newsletter. II. Creation of a Contact Network; All members have indicated the points of contact for the ARCTEL contact network. As such, the current network comprises the following members: AGER Orlando Fernandes

6 ANAC David Gomes Carlos Silva Valdmiro Segredo ANACOM José Barros Filipe Batista Raquel Reis ANATEL Jeferson Nacif Andrea Grippa ARCOM Nicolau Celestino ICGB Mussa Djassi Nelson Barros INACOM Domingos Pedro INCM Isidoro Ramos Américo Muchanga Júlio Buque III. Establishment of the Lusophone Forum of Communications; The purpose of this forum was intended primarily to broaden the debate and obtain the participation of the largest possible number of sector players from the various member states, thereby stimulating contact between them and enabling them to contribute to the functions of regulation for which ARCTEL members are responsible.

7 The first edition, which takes place after the Second General Assembly, will serve mainly to test the model and obtain input for future initiatives. However the Presidency and Secretariat have made every effort to ensure the largest number of participants at this first event, thereby fulfilling the initial assumptions. IV. Production of periodical publications: This proposal relied heavily on the interactivity of members with the Secretariat and has to some extent fallen short of expectations, specifically with regard to the "ARCTEL-CPLP Regulation Yearbook", which was intended to be a summary of the key measures undertaken by each entity in each country. Notwithstanding the various reminders sent out by the Secretariat in order to obtain information from members, information was not received, whereby it has not been possible to complete this important document. An appeal is made to all members that, in the future, they consider the importance of this publication and contribute to its preparation. The Association's Newsletter was produced and sent out, and a database was created using registrations made on line and individual contacts which were compiled. It has not yet been determined how often the newsletter will be produced, as this will depend on the level of activities of the Association. V. Online Legislative Compilation As in the previous point, this objective also gives importance to the role of members, that is, the need for members to send in details of new and relevant legislation so that

8 it can be made available on ARCTEL's website at The Secretariat has prepared a compilation of legislation available and posted by members, whereas no update has so far been reported. VI. Internal and external promotion initiatives Since the adoption of the Activities Plan following the First General Assembly of the Association, held in February 2009 in Maputo, the Presidency, with the support of the Secretariat, engaged in an intense programme of international activity to implement the measures adopted and to give substance to ARCTEL's existence. In terms of institutional partnerships with other entities, the Presidency made several contacts and held various meetings, which resulted in a number of cooperation agreements and other initiatives, as described below: Memorandum of Understanding between ARCTEL and RELOP ARCTEL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its counterpart from the energy sector, RELOP - Associação de Reguladores de Energia dos Países de Língua Oficial Portuguesa (Association of Energy Regulators of Portuguese-speaking Countries), in order to establish exchange of information and sharing of experiences related to the regulation of markets for Communications and Energy within the CPLP. This Memorandum was signed in Cape Verde, on 22 April, during RELOP's Annual Conference.

9 Memorandum of Understanding between ARCTEL and African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Following a meeting between ATU and ARCTEL, held during the 4th World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF09), it was deemed to be in the interest of both entities to create a formal joint work proposal which led to the signning of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two entities 1. Relationship with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) At this level we emphasize two key points: o That ARCTEL became a member of the ITU Development Sector in November 2009; o The Global Informal Meeting for Regional Regulatory Associations on the occasion of the GSR (Global Symposium of Regulators) held on 9 November, in Beirut, Lebanon With regard to this initiative, ARCTEL, together with the ITU and other Regional Regulatory Associations (AREGNET, ARTEC, EACO, FRATEL, REGULATEL and WATRA) met during the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR 09). Far beyond the issues that gave rise to the meeting, the central objective was to become formal, thus promoting inter-regional cooperation and the sharing of knowledge between the different continents. 1 The MoU was signed by the Presidency of ARCTEL and is pending signature by the ATU since a ceremony for this purpose has not yet been scheduled.

10 Taking the future of regulation as its central theme, the various associations present agreed to promote inter-regional cooperation and promote regional policies of regulation. It was unanimously that permanent and close contact between the Associations is relevant to ensure regional cooperation. From the meeting, the following actions, to be undertaken in the future, should be noted: Implementation of formal annual meetings in parallel with the GSR; Creation of a global network - Secretariat of Regional Associations, in close collaboration with the ITU. ARCTEL now has an added and undeniable future responsibility, functioning as a major catalyst for this initiative as well as a key player in future meetings. Finally it should be noted that in this initiative, and specifically in the Beirut meeting, the ARCTEL Presidency was involved and fully committed, and has contributed to the success of the active participation of the Vice-Presidency of Brazil, before, during and after this meeting. ARCTEL demonstrated its professionalism, dynamism and maturity in the way its participants led and contributed to the results obtained. Participation in the ANACOM Conference ARCTEL participated in the 2009 ANACOM Conference, 20 Years Later - Why Regulate? where the chairman of the Association, Mr. David Gomes, made a presentation about the ARCTEL, its goals, mission and projects.

11 ARCTEL's participation in the ITU Regional Training Forum for the America Region Between 18 and 20 November, ARCTEL, through a member of the Secretariat, participated in the International Telecommunication Union Regional Training Forum for the Americas Region held at ANATEL, Brasilia. The main objective of the meeting was to share knowledge and experiences with respect to the qualification of Human Resources. 3. Conclusions Although widely recognized as being very ambitious and wide ranging, the 2009 Management Plan, approved at the first ARCTEL General Assembly in Maputo, was implemented almost in its entirety. It should be noted that, with respect to what depended exclusively on the autonomous actions of the Presidency and the Secretariat, the proposals approved and established in Mozambique have been concluded, including: I. Creation of an image and website II. Creation of a Contact Network III. Establishment of the I Lusophone Forum of Communications IV. Production of the Association's Newsletter V. Online Legislative Compilation VI. Internal and external promotion initiatives

12 Of these, only in the point connected to periodical publications, it was not possible to produce the Regulation Yearbook, which is intended as a compilation / summary of the main regulatory measures taken in each member country, notwithstanding the efforts made by the secretariat in obtaining this information from the members. We make a note concerning this point: This kind of publication is undoubtedly key to the success of our Association and especially to the accomplishment of its strategic objectives. With this publication, we will strengthen the exchange of information between the members and give the private sector a clear signal with respect to our organization and transparency, two key conditions for boosting direct investment in our markets. Making ARCTEL a common storefront of the individual realities of each member and their respective markets is a key driver of increased investment. We would like to see this publication completed in the near future and we present the challenge to the new presidency to apply its efforts to this effect.