MICT to review Communications Act

WINDHOEK, 26 NOV  – The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has embarked upon a process to review the Communications Act No. 8 of 2009 in order to address its shortcomings.

The review will also see a revisit on relevant ICT policies in order to align them with emerging trends in the ICT sector and to remedy the provisions of legislations that have over time become obsolete.

In a public notice issued on Monday, the ministry noted that the review has become necessary as some in ICT subsectors have been experiencing legal hitches in enforcing and implementing some provisions of the Act which was implemented in 2011.

This, according to the notice, is because the Act is not aligned with certain provisions in the subsector policies, guidelines and regulations.

Certain parts of the Act were, however, delayed during its implementation, including those relating to the regulation of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation and NamPost.

The MICT, therefore, called on members of the public to study the applicable laws and policies that are under review and make formal submissions on which part of these laws need to be amended, repealed or reviewed.

A national consultative workshop is consequently scheduled for Wednesday, where such submissions will be discussed.

The Communications Act No.9 of 2009 is aimed at establishing the general framework governing the opening of the telecommunication sector in Namibia to competition and to provide for the regulation and control of communications activities by an independent regulatory authority, amongst others. – NAMPA