Consultancy Services for Framing up Backbone Open Access Policy and Tariff Regulations for MCIT/ARTA

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the ICT Sector Development Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds to hire a qualified Individual Consultant to provide Consultancy Support on Backbone Open Access Policy and Tariff Regulations to MCIT and ATRA in AfghanistanThis Consultancy Support will be provided to Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) under the World Bank funded Project of MCIT “Afghanistan ICT Sector Development Project”.

The aim of the ICT Sector Development Project is to expand broadband connectivity, mainstream use of mobile applications across the Government and develop the capacity of the IT sector to facilitate improved service delivery across Afghanistan while accelerating job creation and economic growth.  The project will do so by: (a) Creating the enabling environment and making strategic investments for the development of Afghanistan’s backbone and broadband infrastructure; (b) Supporting the mainstreaming of mobile applications across Government by supporting innovations and creation of cross cutting enablers; and (c) Developing local IT infrastructure and capacity in the public and private sectors. Selected Individual Consultant will execute the following tasks:

To analyze the best international practices on Backbone Open Access Policy, with a view to assess their  suitability for adoption/implementation in Afghanistan Scenario and recommend the most feasible approach to develop the Backbone Open Access Policies, Rules and Regulations, with a view to eliminate the monopolistic views of any one Backbone Services Provider.

To prepare a Consultative Paper and hold consultations with the Stakeholders and potential users of the OFC Backbone Network in Afghanistan.

Based on the analysis of the research carried out, prepare a Backbone Open Access Policy to be issued by MCIT.

To prepare tariff calculation methodology for all types of Backbone Networks as available in Afghanistan.

Prepare a Tariff Plan for OFC Backbone Network and the Services offered through it, as being developed in Afghanistan.

Based on the proposed Tariff Structure for the OFC based backbone,  prepare a Business Plan for Afghan Telecom’s Backbone Network for next 05 years.

To prepare the Rules and Regulations to be used by ATRA to monitor the implementation of the approved tariffing structure for all Backbone Networks.