Regulatory Convergence: Reflections from Nigeria
(2013) 19 Computer and Telecommunications Law Review 156
12 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2013 Last revised: 21 Jun 2014
Date Written: 2013
Abstract
The new ICT policy which was adopted by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in October 2012 sought to inter alia reflect communications convergence. This is a laudable step towards achieving a long standing policy objective of the government. In its desire to provide for communications convergence by prescribing regulatory convergence, there are a number of issues arising from this policy paper. First, it is unclear whether post ought to be scheduled for inclusion in the converged regulator. Secondly, there appear to be three blind spots with regards to the ICT policy. These pertain to the question of independence, the question of ownership and the issue of data protection. Finally it is argued that the new ICT policy represented a missed opportunity to address the problem of inter agency bickering over the siting of masts and base stations in the country.
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Keywords: telecommunications, ICT policy, communications convergence, data protection, Nigeria
JEL Classification: K23, N47, L96
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation