•1.                  INTRODUCTION

Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) have over the past two decades paved the way for economic and social development across the world. Its importance to growth in all sectors of the Jamaican economy was recognized by the Government and prompted the termination of the monopoly licence held by Cable and Wireless Jamaica Limited in favour of liberalization of the telecommunications sector in 1999. 

The Government adopted a phased approach to the liberalization process to minimize dislocation and to ensure that the necessary legal and regulatory framework was in place to support investment and competition in existing, new and emerging services, and infrastructure.  A new Telecommunications Act was promulgated in 2000 which made provision for, inter alia, the implementation of the liberalized framework; regulation of the sector by the Office of Utilities Regulation; the establishment of a Telecommunications Appeal Tribunal; the management of the radio frequency by the Spectrum Management Authority and the establishment of the Jamaica Telecommunications Advisory Council (JTAC) to provide advice to the Minister on the reform of the telecommunications sector.

As envisaged, having achieved full liberalization, there is need to create a new legal and regulatory framework to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the advancements in ICTs which have resulted in new methods of transmitting voice, data and video; driven by Internet Protocol (IP) based networks capable of providing a full range of products and services that are accessible via a wide range of devices from any location.

This policy takes account of the following principles in order to create an enabling environment to maximize opportunities for industry, investment, commerce, public institutions, consumers and citizens:

• (i) ICTs as a developmental tool;
• (ii) Universal Service & Access;
• (iii) Efficient Spectrum Management;
• (iv) Neutrality of Technology;
• (v) Competition;
• (vi) Access to and uptake of high capacity networks/ ICT infrastructure;
• (vii) A modernized legal, regulatory, institutional and administrative framework;
• (viii) e-Government;
• (ix) Consumer Protection;
• (x) Research and innovation in ICTs;
• (xi) Treatment of ICT waste;
• (xii) Development of local content and creativity/creative industries;
• (xiii) Creation of a knowledge based society; and
• (xiv) Convergence of telecommunications services on diverse media.

Consonant with the foregoing principles, the policy focuses on positioning ICTs as an instrument for national development for purposes of improving the global competitiveness of local industries through the creation of a governing framework which is transparent, responsive, cohesive and encouraging of self regulation among stakeholders in the sector. Moreover, Government's commitment to bridging the existing digital divide is underscored by the specific provisions for access for all Jamaicans to enabling elements in relation to ICTs. The policy encourages sharing of infrastructure resources. It will be important to pursue regional and international collaboration among regulators during the implementation of the policy.

The ICT Policy which takes account of international best practices will be supported by the National Information and Communications Technology Strategy 2007-2012; the ICT Sector Plan and Implementation Framework of the National Development Plan 2030 (Vision 2030 Jamaica); the National Energy Policy; an overarching Content Policy and a comprehensive Spectrum Management Policy (both of which are to be developed); the latter will take account of regional harmonization imperatives.