National ICT Policy

Definitions of Data:

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Main Focus of Document:

Informs of the government's plans for the improvement of ICT in the country to foster economic development.

Target Beneficiaries or Sectors:

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Key Elements:

This is an approach to curtail the current barriers to economic growth in the country. Currently long distance and isolation is prevalent because of lack of adequate telecommunication infrastructure and the fact that ICT is not developed in the country. The government and the private sector seeks to collaborate to curtail such barriers so that persons can stay connected within Kiribati and also internationally. In an effort to achieve the aims various short, medium and long-term objectives have been set.

The five guiding principles which underpine the objective of this ICT are: (i) open and competitive markets; (ii) modern, independent and proportionate regulation; (iii) non‐discrimination and technology neutrality; (iv) universal service for remote areas of Kiribati ; and (v) optimal use of scarce resources.

1. Short term goals (2011) • Adopt National ICT Policy – phase 1 reforms • Review, update and enact new legislation to give effect to this policy • New license for TSKL
2. Medium term goals (2011-2013) • Strengthen and reform TSKL (which may include entering into a Public Private Partnership or partial privatization) • Promote new entry, particularly mobile and ISP services • Promote ICT access for schools, reducing the ‘digital divide’ • Design and implement mechanisms to improve significantly ICT services for the Outer Islands
3. Long‐term goals (2014– ) • Effective competition in commercially viable areas of Kiribati • Implement coverage of voice and data services across Kiribati to the maximum extent feasible • Promote ICT - dependent applications and services, including e‐commerce, e-government, education and health. • Encourage use of internet for the people of Kiribati • Achieve 100 % roll out of Internet connectivity to primary / secondary schools • Facilitate the development of cost-effective domestic and international transmission networks.