General Telecommunications Framework (by Country)

East Asia and Pacific

Australia

General Telecommunication Framework

• Australia Telecommunications Act 1997 -  the Act distinguishes between:
  • carriers, which are entities that own telecommunications infrastructure used to supply carriage services to the public;
  • carriage service providers, which are entities that supply carriage services using a carrier’s infrastructure;
  • content service providers - These categories are not mutually exclusive and most carriers are also carriage service providers.
• Australia Spam Act 2003

Useful links

• Australia Communications & Media Authority Act 2005

These laws set out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Australia. They contain a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (ACMA).

Brunei

General Telecommunications Framework

• Brunei Telecommunications Order 2001  - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Brunei. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the regulatory telecommunications authority. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, universal service, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

Useful Links

• Regulatory Telecommunications Authority (AITI)
• Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications

Malaysia

General Telecommunication Framework

• Act 588 Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Act 589 Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 - These laws set out the current general legal framework for telecommunications in Malaysia. They contain a detailed institution framework including the creation of the regulatory telecommunications authority (MCMC). They include licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, universal services, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

Universal service

• P.U (A) 419/2002, Communications and multimedia (Universal Service Provision) Regulations 2002 - This regulation addresses the Universal Service regime.

Spectrum

• P.U (A) 128/2000, Communications and Multimedia (spectrum) Regulations 2000 - This regulation addresses spectrum regime.

Useful Links

• The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission

Samoa

General Telecommunications Framework

• Samoa Telecommunication Act No. 20/2005 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Samoa. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, co-location, scarce resources management, universal access, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution. It also covers some postal service issues.

Useful Links

• Ministry of Communications and Information Technology

Singapore

General Telecommunications Framework

• The Telecommunications Act (Cap. 323) - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Singapore. It contains a detailed institutional framework. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

South Asia

Afghanistan

General Telecommunications Framework

• Afghanistan Telecommunications Services Regulation Act - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Afghanistan. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the regulatory telecommunications authority. It includes licensing, competition policy, interconnection, co-location, scarce resources management, universal access, tariffs regulations, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

Useful Links

• Ministry of Telecommunications Website
• Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

India

General Telecommunications Framework

• India - TRAI Acts and policies - These laws contain an institutional framework including the creation of the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority.

Telegraphic Communications

• The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885)
• The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 (17 of 1933)

Useful Links

• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Nepal

General Telecommunications Framework

• The Telecommunications Act 2053 (1997) (“Act”) is the main law regulating the telecommunications sector.

Tariff Approval

• The The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has issued a Guideline for Tariff Approval for Telecommunications Services, which sets out the key principles in determining whether a service charge is proper and reasonable, as well the NTA’s tariff approval process.

Sub-Saharan Africa 

Kenya

General Telecommunications Framework

• Kenya - Information and Communications Act (KICA) - this law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Kenya. It contains licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, co-location, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution. It also covers some postal service issues.

Mauritania

General Telecommunications Framework

• Loi Réglementant les télécommunications (Loi 11 juillet du 1999) - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Mauritania. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, universal access, tariffs regulation, and penalties and sanctions.

Mozambique

General Telecommunications Framework

• Lei No. 8 das telecomunicacoes - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Mozambique. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (INCM). It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, universal access and service, tariffs regulation, and penalties and sanctions.
• Instituto Nacional das telecomunicacoes de Mocambique

Nigeria

General Telecommunications Framework

• Nigerian Telecommunications Act 2003 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Nigeria. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (NCC). It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

South Africa

General Telecommunications Framework

• Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act 2000 No. 13 of 2000 (ICASA Act)
• Telecommunications Act 103 of 1996
• Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECT Act)

Useful Links

• Regulatory Telecommunications Authority (ICASA)

These laws set out the general legal framework for telecommunications in South Africa. They contain a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (ICASA). They include licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution. They also cover the electronic communications and transactions.

Uganda

General Telecommunications Framework

• Uganda Communications Act  - it sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Uganda. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (UCC). It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions. It also covers the postal service. It also covers some postal service issues.

Useful Links

• Uganda Communications Commission

Europe and Central Asia 

Bulgaria

General Telecommunications Framework

• Bulgaria - Law on Electronic Communications Bulgaria may 10, 2007 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Bulgaria. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the Communications Regulation Commission. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, co-location, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution. It also covers some postal service issues.

Useful Links

• Regulatory Telecommunications Authority (CRC)
• Ministry of Transport and Communications 

Denmark

General Telecommunications Framework

• Denmark -  Act on electronic communications networks and services (Tele Act) - sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Denmark and contains the overall regulation including end-user aspects, universal services obligations, numbering aspects and interconnection.

Romania

General Telecommunications Framework

• Ordinance 79/2002 general regulatory communications framework (includes amendments of law 591/2002)
• Law no.239/2005 on the amendment and completion of several normative acts in the field of communications
• Government Emergency Ordinance No. 111/2011 on electronic communications - This laws set out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Romania. See legal framework for electronic communication on the website of ANCOM.

Universal Service

• Law no.304/2003 on the universal service and users’ rights relating to the electronic communications networks and services - this law addresses universal service issues.

Interconnection

• Ordinance no. 34 of January 30, 2002, interconnection - this ordinance addresses interconnection issues.

Useful links

• National Regulatory Authority for Communications and Information Technology of Romania: (ANCOM)

These laws set out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Romania. They contain a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the national regulatory authority for communications (ANRC). They include licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, co-location, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution. They also cover some postal service issues.

Spain

General Telecommunications Framework

• General de Telecomunicaciones Ley 11/2022 replaces Law 9/2014, of 9 May, on General Telecommunications as the primary regulation governing telecommunications in Spain.
• The Royal Decree 123/2017, of 24 February, approving the Regulation on the use of the radio spectrum sets out the main procedures regarding the obtainment of the relevant authorizations needed for private use of the radio spectrum.

Useful links

• Spanish National Commission on Markets and Competition (“CNMC” in Spanish).

Turkey

General Telecommunications Framework

• Electronic Communication Law 5809 - it sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Turkey.
• Universal Service Law 2005 - This law addresses universal service regime.

Middle East and North Africa

Algeria

General Telecommunications Framework

• Algeria - Loi no. 2000-03 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Algeria. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the regulatory telecommunications authority. It includes licensing, interconnection, scarce resources management, penalties and sanctions. It also covers the postal service.

Interconnection and Price Regulation

• Intercontection Conditions Decree 02-156 - Interconnection and Price Regulation. Décret exécutif n° 02-156 du 26 safar 1423 correspondant au 09 mai 2002 - fixant les conditions d’interconnexion des réseaux et services de télécoms.

Universal Access or Service

• Decree No. 03-232 - This decree establishes the universal access regime for both post and telecommunications

Jordan

General Telecommunications Framework

• Telecommunications Law No. 13/1995 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Jordan. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (Telecommunication Regulatory Commission). It includes licensing, scarce resources management, and penalties and sanctions.

Universal service

• Universal service obligations - This regulation addresses the universal service regime.

Competition policy

• Competition Safeguards - This regulation addresses the competition regime.

Interconnection

• Interconnection instructions - This regulation addresses the interconnection regime, including co-location, infrastructure sharing.

Quality service

• Instructions for implementing the Quality of Service Framework in Jordan - This regulation addresses the quality service regime.

Useful Links

• Telecommunication Regulatory Commission
• The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship 

Lebanon

General Telecommunications Framework

• Lebanon Telecommunications Law: Law 431/2002 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Lebanon. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

Useful links

• The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Lebanon
• Ministry of Communications

Morocco

General Telecommunications Framework

• Morocco -The Post and Telecommunications Act No. 24-96 (in French). This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Morocco. It contains a detailed institutional framework, inlcuding the establishment of the regulator. It includes licensing, quality service, interconnection, co-location, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution. It also covers some postal service issues. Other laws and regulations regarding telecommunications can also be found here.

Competition Policy

• Decree No. 2-05-772, 2005 on anticompetitive practices - This Decree addresses telecommunication competition law issues.

Latin America and the Caribbean 

Argentina

General Telecommunications Framework

• Argentina Decree No. 764/2000 - This decree sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Argentina. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, collocation, universal service, tariffs regulation penalties and sanctions, and dispute resolution.

Useful Links

• Argentina Decree No. 27/2003 - This decree sets out the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority.

Chile

General Telecommunications Framework

• Chile - Ley General de Telecomunicaciones No. 18.168 de 1982  - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Chile. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the regulatory telecommunications authority. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, co-location, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, tariffs regulation, and penalties and sanctions.
• Chile - Reglamento Servicio Publico telefónico, Decreto Supremo 425/96 - This Decree addresses fix, long distance and mobile telephony regime.

Useful Links

• Regulatory Telecommunications Authority (SUBTEL)

Colombia

General Telecommunication framework

• Decree No. 2870/2007 - This Decree sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Colombia. It includes licensing, competition policy, scarce resources management, and penalties and sanctions.
• Colombia Law 142/1994 - This Law includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions, and dispute resolution. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority.

Interconnection

• CRT Resolucion 87 de 1993  - This resolution addresses the interconnection regime.

Useful Links

• Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones (CRC)

Mexico

General Telecommunication framework

• Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Mexico. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, infrastructure sharing, collocation, universal service, tariffs regulation and penalties and sanctions.

Useful Links

• Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes

Peru

General Telecommunication framework

• Decreto Supremo No. 003-2007 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Peru. It contains a detailed institutional framework. It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions.
• Decreto Supremo No. 013-93 - Supreme Decree approving the consolidated text of Peru's Telecommunications Act

Venezuela

General Telecommunication framework

• Ley Organica de Telecomunicaciones/ 2000 - This law sets out the general legal framework for telecommunications in Venezuela. It contains a detailed institutional framework, including the creation of the telecommunications regulatory authority (CONATEL). It includes licensing, competition policy, quality service, interconnection, scarce resources management, universal service, tariffs regulation, penalties and sanctions and dispute resolution.

Useful Links

• Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Comunicación y la Información