Open Access Policy – A joint session of MCIT and ISPs

MCIT conducted a joint session for ISPs to discuss the Open Access Policy in ICT sector for regulation purposes on Sunday 22^nd of October, 2016 at KDLC conference room, MCIT.

H.E. Aimal Marjan – Deputy Minister IT welcomed all the participants and briefly described the background of Open Access Policy in Afghanistan to participants. In his remarks, he said,” Open Access Policy is designed to facilitate the sector to invest and reap the potential benefits to its potential. This will enable ISPs to further improve internet infrastructure in country and public will have multiple options to choose from.”

He also assured the participants that government will assist them in every possible way and challenges will be overcome in order to help ISPs deliver better services for public.

Mr. Waheedullah Dosti, Chairman of National ISP Alliance of Afghanistan appreciated this initiative by MCIT and commented that ISPs are willing to invest in such initiative by MCIT but need assurance of no favoritism, security, equal access and government support. ISPs will also read the Open Access Policy documents and provide their feedback to highlight the gray areas where further guidelines and regulations needed. 

In response H.E. Aimal Marjan further explained that Open Access Policy contains all important articles to address the concerns of relevant stakeholders and has accumulated feedback from experts to avoid current issues of discrimination, security, equal access and licensing areas.

Mr. Atta Yari from ATRA briefed the participant regarding engagement of ATRA in regulations development. In the end, H.E. DM – IT thanked all participants for their presence in discussion and encouraged them to come forward and invest with such an initiative.