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 Minister Asraf Dulull launches consultation process on two key ICTA projects

Port Louis : The Honourable Asraf Dulull, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, today officially launched the consultation process on two key projects of the ICT Authority. During an official visit to the Authority, Mr Dulull said that a well established regulatory framework is paramount in order for the Mauritian ICT sector to compete with developed nations. “What we don’t want to see is for the ICT industry to evolve in a virtual jungle,” he said during a meeting with senior management and members of staff from different departments.

The Authority’s projects concern the numbering plan to pave the way for the introduction of 8-digit mobile numbers and the release of frequency for wireless broadband. The consultation documents, namely the Draft Guidelines for the Implementation of 8-digit Numbering Plan for Mobile Service Scheduled for 1 st November 2009 and the Consultation Paper on the Opening of the 1785-1805 MHz Band for Broadband Wireless Access can be consulted and downloaded from the ICTA website. (www.icta.mu)

The number of mobile users currently stand at 850 thousand; 8-digit numbering would make it possible to generate up to 99 million numbers and cater for expected increased demand from subscribers. The implementation is scheduled to start on 1 st November 2009 or even earlier.

Minister Dulull underlined that the projects match the Government’s vision to promote the development of the ICT sector, to bridge the Digital Divide and to make ICTs accessible to the less privileged in the broader fight against poverty and to ensure that citizens are e-empowered. “There are many projects in the pipeline,” the minister said and he encouraged the ICT Authority to play its role without fear whilst ensuring an enabling environment for the growth of the industry and at the same time protecting consumers’ rights.

29 September 2008