Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has launched a consultation process for the country’s first licensing regime for the ICT and telecoms sector. The draft Unified Licensing Framework (ULF) would allow the provision of multiple services through the introduction of service and technology-neutral licences that would promote innovation and competition. The move is aimed at bringing an end to uncertainties in one of the most developed sectors of the Somalian economy, as the lack of a formal licensing system has created disorder in the telecoms market and hindered further investment.
Three types of permits exist under the new ULF, namely Communications Infrastructure Provider Licence (CIP), Application and Services Provider Licence (ASP), and Communications Infrastructure and Services Provider Licence (CISP). Stakeholders have been given until 5 December to submit comments on the ULF.