Page 156 - Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016
P. 156
challenge due to a patchwork of geographically the multiple issues to be reconciled. It is also
bound privacy regulations. clear that for the digital ecosystem to thrive,
all key stakeholders must pull together in order
to reap the benefits in a fast-evolving sector.
5.3.9 Regulating in a multi-sectoral The continuous identification, mapping and
environment engagement of stakeholders become important
because of the characteristically short time frames
It is clear that ICT sector regulators cannot claim within which to make gains and the cross-sectoral
exclusive and total scrutiny and authority in an scanning for stakeholders.
environment that is fast converging and integrating
to create a new landscape. The reality is that Due to the disruptive nature of the digital
multiple agencies will need to address mutual economy, ICT sector regulators often will be
and overlapping issues. They all will have to presented with issues that, while pertinent, are
offer their expertise and give greater visibility not in their area of expertise. The development
and commitment to digital inclusion. The of m-banking, m-agriculture, m-health etc. means
telecommunication sector regulator will need to that the intimate interface between the ICT sector
reach out to other regulators in collaboration and and another, specialized sector can lead to dual
partnership -- this is the new normal. jurisdiction on some issues.
5.3.9.1 The emergence of stakeholder diversity 5.3.9.2 Collaboration across sectors
The m-service and app ecosystem works on Regulators have adopted many approaches to
different business models and is capable of handle issues of shared jurisdiction. Often, these
attracting any number of users. So, regulators scenarios arise from innovative initiatives and
should be careful to identify all the stakeholders so may not have been anticipated or formally
involved in any issue, on a case-by-case basis. authorized. For example, there was no formal
The cross-sectoral effect of many of these issues platform for collaboration between the CBK and
will bring in a broad array of stakeholders and the CCK during the M-Pesa deliberations in Kenya.
“influencers,” ranging from midwives and teachers The absence of a formal arrangement should not
in rural areas (for m-health and m-education deter best efforts to collaborate, particularly when
services and apps) to hardware and software the parties recognize an idea whose time has
developers or city residents (for m-transport and come. Steps can be taken later to formalize the
smart metering services and apps). The content collaboration.
and context of each m-service and app will attract
a unique range of stakeholders as broad as the In order to collaborate with a third party,
capability of the service or app. All of these regulators must be clear about the powers they
stakeholders will want to influence regulatory have under the law, in order to determine the
outcomes. limits of that collaboration. All parties should
be clear about their mutual strengths, which are
Stakeholder engagement assumes a new determined by their legal mandates, so they can
prominence in a cross-sectoral environment. The be sure what their roles will be in conducting their
ICT regulators need to create awareness in order collaboration. ICT regulators already have pursued
to spark interest in commercial deployment of collaborations with competition authorities and
m-services and apps. More than ever before, financial regulators, and a lot more work with
regulators must consult within a multi-stakeholder other sectors is likely as m-services and apps
framework and seek feedback, communicate continue to permeate all areas of life.
effectively and recognize the aspirations of
stakeholders in order to foster the spread of Going forward, regulators should commit
m-services and apps. Box 5.5 illustrates how a proactively to seeking out opportunities to work
broad range of stakeholders can be involved in with each other. Collaboration is not driven merely
developing and using an m-health service. by the need to facilitate an innovative idea, but
more structurally, to identify gaps or barriers to
Emerging trends point toward more cross-sector innovation and bridge them to benefit the whole
collaboration and partnership in order to handle digital ecosystem. The following sub-sections
138 Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016