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For many governments, 2009 was a test to discover
how well they could overcome the global financial
crisis — and the Polish Administration was no exception.
The government of Poland created a so-called
“stability plan” which focused on new regulations in
many fields, but especially in telecommunications.
The basis and main objectives were very simple: to
help create a society based on technology and effective
management.
Today we are witnessing shifts in our industrial
sectors: new trends are followed by new approaches,
influenced by the financial crisis. To take advantage of
the potential of new technologies, Poland is putting
the emphasis on policy to support the development
of telecommunication services and networks.
The aims of the new law
On 3 November 2009, Poland’s Council of
Ministers approved a draft new law on supporting
the development of telecommunication services and
networks. A bill is likely to be considered by the Polish
parliament by the end of January 2010. The new law
was developed under the “Digital Poland” initiative
established by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to
promote Internet access for all citizens. It should be
emphasized that, in framing the law, Poland was able
to take advantage of excellent and innovative regulations
of our fellow members of the European Union.
The proposed Act on “Support for the development
of telecommunication services and networks”
will help to achieve the goals of the Stability and
Development Plan to enhance the Polish economy in
the light of the world financial crisis. One of the most
important elements of the plan is encouragement of
more investment in the telecommunication sector.
Information and communication technologies (ICT)
are one of the most important factors for stimulating
economic growth and employment.
The main aim of the bill is to improve the investment
process, increase competition in the telecommunication
market and, in consequence, help to
eradicate digital exclusion, both social and geographic.
Under the new law, local authorities would be
able to undertake economic activity in the telecommunication
field and to build their own infrastructure,
subject to certain conditions. Such activity by
local authorities would not be permitted to disturb
competition in the telecommunications market. Also,
the bill includes the regulation that local authorities
must provide access to, and share, their infrastructure
and networks on an equal and transparent basis
with all interested parties.
The bill regulates economic activity in telecommunications
by utilities within the public sector,
such as those that supply energy, water and sewage
systems. And it states that telecommunication businesses
must be given access to the relevant technical
infrastructure owned by the public utilities. The new
regulations also enlarge the category of entities that
can demand rights of way for access to real estate for
the purpose of telecommunications.
Regional broadband networks are another important
element of the proposed new law. It eases
the investment path so that funds from the European
Union can be utilized for broadband projects by local
authorities in Poland, within the fixed time limit for
spending the funds.
A better future
Thanks to the new law, it will be easier to invest in
modern telecommunication infrastructure in Poland,
including the development of next-generation networks
(NGN). The expansion of broadband will enable
more people to use advanced online services
such as e-commerce, e-banking, and e-education.
Competition in the market will increase, and, as a
result, development of the Polish information society
and eradication of the digital divide is expected to
follow.
The Polish Government will work as much as
possible with the private sector in order to ensure
that the new regulations meet the needs of those
who implement them on a daily basis. Our next step
will be to promote the new law, as part of a cooperative
project between the private sector and government
at all levels, national and local, called the
“Communication and education plan to promote
the development of telecommunication services and
networks”.
This plan is dedicated to all interested parties, including
the general public. Conferences, workshops,
and seminars will be organized, and guidance published
for future investors. The overall aim will be to
exchange ideas and solutions for the development
of broadband infrastructure and ICT throughout
Poland. We look forward to a great success, and a
great future!
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