The D’MADD project conducted a stakeholder consultation
workshop on improving regulatory frameworks, oversight, and enforcement for a competitive
broadband market with telecommunication network operators and internet service
providers on 25 November 2024 at the National Centre for Information
Technology.
The session is part of subcomponent 1: Improving
Regulatory Framework, Oversight and Enforcement for a Competitive Broadband
Market in the Maldives. To aid the Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM),
the work is to conduct a detailed assessment of the gaps in the enforcement
regulatory framework for a competitive, open-access broadband market.
Bringing in their extensive experience, the
international firm Network Strategies from New Zealand led the consultation.
The team, led by Ms. Noelle Jones (Principal Consultant) /Project Manager, Dr.
Suella Hansen (Director) / Market Analyst, and Dr. Mike Hamilton-Jenkins,
Quality Service Specialist, conducted the session with precision and insight.
The Consultancy firm will review and update the
regulatory frameworks for wholesale and retail broadband markets, covering,
inter alia, infrastructure sharing, spectrum monitoring, and open access to
submarine cables. It will also support the design and introduction of standards
for using green, low-emission, and energy-efficient technologies in connectivity infrastructure development
projects.
Network Strategies presented their initial
findings on the broadband market, using available data from the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU). They also shared their detailed methodology for
conducting the analysis and the data collection format prepared for the
one-on-one focus group meetings during the week. The team was also proactive in
addressing questions raised by the ISPs about the baseline data.
The workshop was attended by participants from
all service providers, including Dhiraagu, Ooredoo, HDC, Focus Infocom, Satlink
Pvt Ltd, and Star Link Pvt Ltd.