Module 3
Question One
Group A
Communications regulatory authority of Namibia
Communications regulatory authority
Telecommunications regulatory authority
Regulatory bodies
Broadcasting regulatory authority
Communications Act 8 of 2009
List of telecom regulators
List of telecommunication bodies
Telecommunications authority in Africa
Spectrum management
Consumer protection and advocacy
ICT in Namibia
Telecom regulator
Group B
Universal Access in Namibia
Number portability
Digital terrestrial television
Consumer complaints
Namibia ICT policy
Group C
Postal service regulator
Radio license fees
Reasons for A
CRAN regulates Namibia’s telecommunications, broadcasting and postal
services. It is important for CRAN to be listed amongst other telecommunications
regulators.
Many countries refer to their communications regulators as telecommunications
regulators, hence it is important to link the telecommunications regulatory
authority key phrase to CRAN, as other people from other regions will search
under that name.
Lastly, it is important that CRAN is linked to keywords such as list of
telecommunication bodies, Regulatory bodies, broadcasting regulatory authority,
so that they can be seen listed amongst other country’s regulators. Moreover,
like South Africa, telecommunication and broadcasting services are not regulated
by one regulator, hence it is imperative that a keyword such as broadcasting
regulatory authority is associated to CRAN as well.
Reasons for B
CRAN does not regulate universal access services yet, but will soon start doing
it. So people will not expect articles relating CRAN to universal access, however,
it is important for the public to note that universal access is linked to CRAN.
DTT and number portability are some of the issues facing telecommunications
and broadcasting services in Southern Africa. People in the telecommunications
industry will be goggling these topics quite frequently. Hence, it is important that
CRAN’s website link appears on those pages.
Reasons for C
Radio licence fees is such a broad term, however, you will find people looking for
radio licence fees. Those that do type radio licence fees should get to CRAN’s
website, where a link with the contact numbers of the operators will be provided.
The Communications Act 8 of 2009 has not enacted CRAN to regulate postal
services yet. However, it is important that people are aware that CRAN will also
regulate postal services in the future.
Question Two
Article one
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia Key Focus Areas
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has identified six
key strategic focus areas to enable the telecommunications regulatory authority
to carry out its mandate.
The Six Key Focus Areas are:

Market Expansion & Development

Fair Competition

Spectrum Management

Universal Access Service

Consumer Advocacy & Protection

Monitoring, Compliance & Enforcement
 Through Market Expansion and Development: CRAN will facilitate an
open Information Communication Technology (ICT) market and increase
entry by new players, while at the same time ensure broader diversity and
choice for consumers.
 Fair Competition: This focus area is key for the development of
Namibia’s ICT industry as indicated in the Communications Act 8 of 2009.
Through this focus area, CRAN aims to promote a level playing field,
create equitable competition and ensure equal treatment of all providers of
telecommunications and broadcasting services as well as the users of
such services.
 Through Spectrum Management: the regulatory authority will seek to
ensure that there is efficient management and use of scarce national
resources in the local ICT industry.
 CRAN will support Universal Access and Service in Namibia by
providing a platform whereby Namibians have access to broadcasting,
Internet, broadband and multimedia infrastructure, services and content at
affordable prices.
 Consumer Advocacy and Protection is a key function of CRAN. The
telecommunications regulatory authority will strive to ensure that
consumers receive the full benefits of competitive communications
services. Furthermore, CRAN aims to protect consumers from exploitation
and abuse.
Consumers have the right to complain to CRAN, if they feel their operators are
not living up to their promises. Consumers who want to complain can call
Tel: 222 666 or email cran@cran.na to lodge their complaints.
Article Two
CRAN History
Through the implementation of the Namibian Government’s vision, the
Communications Act No. 8 of 2009 established the Communications
Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) on 18 May 2011. The Act empowers
CRAN as the independent Regulator of the Namibian communications,
broadcasting
and
postal
services
industry,
replacing
the
Namibia
Communications Commission (NCC).
CRAN Mandate
The Communications Act comprehensively establishes the general framework
governing competition amongst operators and other players in the ICT sector
in Namibia. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority exists not only to
liberalise, but also to further stimulate:
 Private investment,
 Ensuring competition; and
 Safeguarding consumer interests in the ICT sector.
The Communications Authority also strives to provide a regulatory framework
for the promotion of innovation, equal treatment, consumer welfare and
protection against the abuse of market power or other anti-competitive
practices during the implementation phase.
CRAN’S Source of Income
CRAN
generates
income
from
a
number
of
diverse
sources.
The
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority receives fees in relation to the
granting, renewal or transfer of any operator licences as well as fees from the
regulation and control of radio spectrum usage.
Another important source of funding for the Authority is the regulatory levy.
CRAN receives a regulatory levy from telecommunications service providers.
This levy is used to fund the operational cost of CRAN and support Corporate
Social Responsibility projects. CRAN is also guided by the principles of open and
transparent consultation as part of the rule-making process, in order to ensure
regulatory predictability and attain investor confidence in the regulatory
framework.