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Statement of Government Policy
Context Of The Policy Statement
The Ministry of Information and Communications technology (MoICT), in line with the constitution, the Telecom Law no 13 of 1995 and its amendments, and the temporary Postal Services Law No. 5 of 2002 and its amendments, is responsible for the Information and Communications Technology, (ICT) and Postal sectors in the Kingdom.
Moreover, the Ministry has specific responsibility to provide general policy for these sectors, to be approved by the Council of Ministers. In addition, Article 3 of the Temporary Postal law of 2002 specifies an obligation of the MoICT to provide general policy for the postal sector.
The setting of policy has important implications for the information of stakeholders in sectors within ICT and Post for others that might consider entry to, or investment in, those sectors. However, the statement of policy also has a specific legal status, in that it sets the context within which the independent regulator for sectors within ICT, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), must meet its obligations under the Law.
Article 6 of the Law provides as follows in relation to the obligations of TRC: “To regulate telecommunications and information technology services in the Kingdom in accordance with the established general policy so as to ensure the provision of high quality telecommunications and information technology services to users at just, reasonable and affordable prices; and, by so doing, to make possible the optimal performance of the telecommunications and information technology sectors.”
Accordingly, the purpose of this document is both meet the informational needs of stakeholders, and, to meet the legal obligations of MoICT.
The document should be read in conjunction with the Telecommunications, Postal and Employing IT resources in Government Entities Laws. Amongst other things, those Laws define the respective roles of the MoICT and the TRC , which is an administratively and financially independent body. Nothing in this statement of policy is intended to detract from that independence.
Jordan has embarked upon a progressive reform of its telecommunications and postal sectors. This process commenced in 1995. Progress has been made in establishing some measure of competition in specific markets, and, enabling regulatory structures have been established through the TRC.
In certain instances, however, prevailing legislation, commercial agreements and WTO and other international obligations demand that further reform measures must be implemented. In others, the perceived needs of the market, the Jordanian economy as a whole, and, social development factors are the drivers of further action.
Telecommunications and Post are sectors in which public utility regulation has played a traditional role. The information technology sector (IT), beyond its communications elements, is not typically regulated.
IT is an area of immense potential, both, in terms of sector development, and in the direct contribution that it can make to the efficiency of the wider economy and the operations of government, together with the development of our human resources. This sector has made progress but does not yet meet the aspirations of the Jordanian government and people.
The sectors within ICT are identified as particular drivers and enablers of economic and social growth. MoICT, as the body that is responsible for the achievement of National goals and objectives within ICT, has various means and relationships at its disposal through which to achieve them. These means and relationships include the statutory responsibility of the TRC to regulate in accordance with stated Government policy, initiatives that are instigated through or in cooperation with other Government and trade bodies, and, direct action by MoICT itself in certain areas. MoICT accordingly has broad powers of oversight and action within the sectors that comprise ICT.
Within this context, MoICT seeks to create a clear and stable policy environment within which, initiatives, investment, and, necessary sector regulation can proceed with confidence.
MoICT will be diligent in fulfilling its responsibilities to monitor progress toward the meeting of stated policy goals and objectives and will require adjustments to be made to courses of action if these are deemed to be failing to deliver desired outcomes.
Individual Policies In The Context Of Overall Goals
This document states policy in relation to sectors that lie within the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.
Policies are stated for each sector or sub-sector in isolation. However, when viewed on a holistic basis they represent a fully integrated approach to the common end of increasing the e-Readiness of Jordan, which in turn has the aim of stimulating the economic growth and realising the social potential of the Nation.
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