Pursuant to relevant provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 2007, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) wishes to notify all stakeholders of the Liberia telecommunications sector that it is embarking on a Consultation Process regarding the Draft Licensing and Authorization Regulations which the LTA is to publish shortly. The following information is hereby provided for the Consultation Process:
• The LTA will publish the draft regulations on its website (http://www.lrtelcomauth.org) and maintain copies of the draft Regulations for review by the public. The general public may access hard copies at the LTA offices and at the Ministries of Posts and Telecommunications and Information, Culture and Tourism.
• Responses and comments from stakeholders and the general public are to be sent to the LTA preferably in written form or hand delivered to the LTA’s offices on 12th Street/Tubman Boulevard, Sinkor, Monrovia, addressed to the Chairman, LTA. Individuals and groups may also make their comments during interactive forums that would be convened as the circumstances permit for the purpose of considering responses to the draft regulations.
• The consultation process is based on statutory requirements for the LTA to ensure that prior to issuing any order or any other exercise of its authority that is likely to have any substantial impact on network operators/service providers and the public as a whole, the LTA conducts a process of public consultation appropriate to the circumstances.
• The stakeholders and the general public are expected to make comments regarding the draft regulations which expand on the Licensing issues contained in the Telecom Act (2007), and clarify to the extent appropriate the Licensing process that is being set in motion in accordance with the Telecom Act. Such details include Scope and Classification of Licenses; Procedure for License application; and Enforcement of a License or Frequency authorization.
• The deadline for receiving all comments and responses is Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
• Once the LTA has considered the comments/responses from the key stakeholders, including operators and the general public, the LTA expects to provide consultation feedback to the public within ten (10) days of the deadline for receiving all comments of the regulations. Information on this will be posted on the LTA website and key points summarized for publication in the local media. Thereafter, the LTA shall, within a week of that publication publish the final Licensing regulations, that would then enable the LTA to expeditiously carry out its licensing responsibilities as established in the Telecom Law (2007).
• All interested stakeholders and the general public are requested to contact the LTA offices and/or access the LTA website, should they desire to obtain more information or relevant documentation regarding the Licensing regulations.
Published by the LTA Information/Communications Dept.
Contact: Jeddi M. Armah/ Chris Harris-Williams
Mobile: +231 6 554035/556918
