Download Final Report (MS-Word, 107kb)

Implementation Principles

Implementation of the national strategy should be guided by five principles:

1. An interconnected and interoperable network of networks

Existing and planned public and private networks must be linked together to create a seamless information and communications infrastructure. Entering through any one network will provide a gateway to all others and to a rich variety of development and information, cultural and entertainment products and services. Ultimately, the infrastructure must be ubiquitously available, and must be interactive and able to provide appropriate bandwidth capability. The requirement for open and fair interconnection is recognized in the National Telecommunications Policy Paper.

2. Collaborative public and private sector development

For the foreseeable future, the government will play a leading role in ICT sector development. A sustainable financing strategy for both the immediate and long-term is needed. In the near term, it is imperative that donor funds be allocated to assist with urgent development priorities.

While private capital is effectively being harnessed for limited network projects, market conditions in Afghanistan suggest that the government will need to lead the network rehabilitation effort. It will be difficult to secure investment purely from private sources on the scale required to provide even a minimum level of modern network functionality.

For large projects, financing structures that encourage private investment (wholly-owned private service providers, joint ventures with Afghan Telecom, build-operate-transfer arrangements, and so on) will be explored. The immediate task, however, is to quickly improve social and economic opportunities for the Afghan people by substantially supplementing existing operations. Over time, the government will define a roadmap for corporatization and eventual privatization of state-owned network operations.

3. Competition in facilities, products and services

A fair and competitive environment is the cornerstone of the National Telecommunications Policy. Pro-competitive policies will be applied to the greatest extent possible in all aspects of ICT development. Open network architecture, open access policies, common technical standards and open source software will permit the entry of all firms (or individuals) who wish to supply equipment, products or services. This will encourage new ideas, new technologies and new partners.

If market forces are allowed to work as they should, Afghans will benefit from a greater choice and lower prices. Encouraging and safeguarding competition, working to eliminate bottlenecks, and protecting consumers against market failures will be public policy priorities.

4. Privacy protection and network security

ICT networks will multiply the flow of information and the related privacy and security challenges must be addressed. The basis of the solution already lies in the National Telecommunications Policy, which assures the protection of consumers of telecommunications services from unwarranted use of private customer information by network operators. However, the principles of privacy protection may need to be enshrined in legislation. In addition, ICT network services must be secure from piracy and unauthorized access and the network itself must be reliable and able to provide uninterrupted service in emergency situations.

5. Lifelong learning as a key element in ICT policy

The opportunity to learn is essential for the Afghan people to manage the transition to a knowledge-based society successfully. Accordingly, there is a need to develop learning opportunities for the new environment. Efforts should include the development of distance and e-learning programmes that reach out to women and school children, for upgrading work-related skills, and the stimulation of free and open source software development. It will be important to involve key users such as NGOs, cooperatives and community groups in using ICT in learning.