Sector reform & supervision

The care for the current policy-based frameworks and the supervision on the telecommunications sector is formally incorporated in the   National Ordinance on telecommunications provisions, (Official Gazette. 2011, no. 37)
and the implementing regulations applicable thereto.

The international liberalization of the telecommunications markets, the development of traditional telecommunications companies to versatile providers of various ICT services and the increased social and economic interest of ICT networks have, however, played an important role in the reform of the supervision on the telecommunications sector.

The need to increase the connection of individual networks, making the service provision to the consumer more accessible and reducing the end user rates for the various telecommunications services are also reasons for a reform of the telecommunications sector, a recalibration of the supervision and a review of the policy frameworks that are at the base of this.

In order to achieve new policy frameworks for a new telecommunications legislation that properly fits in with the amended playing field in the telecommunications sector, the objectives for a review of the telecommunications policy were critically observed. Forming the basic principle in regulating a reformed telecommunications sector, these have been defined as follows:

• The stimulation of the market development by promoting an efficient arrangement of the telecommunications market, where competition between providers of electronic communication services is the basic principle. This means policy regulations that present as few barriers as possible for renewal and access and that are as little as possible dependent on technology.
• The implementation of high-quality electronic communication networks that tie in with international networks. This means policy regulations that are based on an obligatory interconnection of public electronic communication networks, in order to realize optimum accessibility of the service provision across these networks for users. This also comprises the technical requirements to the peripheral equipment and network access specifications to warrant sufficient standardization in the connection possibilities of peripheral equipment on different networks.
• Warranting the interests of society and end users where the spearheads include: warranting universal service provision, the available options in service provision, affordability and quality of services, protection of personal data, national security and continuity.
• Strengthening the competitive position of Curaçao by offering high-level telecommunications provisions against internationally competitive rates and stimulation of a wide range of telecom applications that are essential for the competitive position and economic development of Curaçao.

Read more about this in National Ordinance on telecommunications provisions, (Official Gazette. 2011, no. 37)..