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F r e q u e n t l y A s k e d q u e s t i o n s A b o u t M u l t i - s t A k e h o l d e r P A r t n e r s h i P s i n i C t s F o r d e v e l o P M e n t
II. ICT policy and development challenges of the DMTIC
At its inception the DmTIC debated key ICT policy challenges facing the DrC and identiied four major
areas of focus. These were:
• Development of basic ICT infrastructure
• Development and implementation of a national
ICT policy •
Fostering the regulatory and legislative frame- work
• Improving the exploitation of ICTs by different
sectors and members of the society. Firstly, it was established that the absence of basic
communication infrastructure was the major preoc- cupation of all the stakeholders in the DrC and the
major obstacle to the development of the ICT sector. Fixed lines are virtually absent except for a few lines
in the capital city of Kinshasa. The country does not have a national backbone that connects its vast ter-
ritory. The key infrastructure issues identiied by the DmTIC were:
• Extending basic infrastructure to the urban and
rural areas, particularly expanding links using both wireless and ixed networks to remote areas
• Development of a national backbone
• Extending connectivity to neighbouring coun-
tries •
Connecting to the SAT-3 ibre optics cable. In order to deine a strategy for infrastructure the
DmTIC conducted an ICT situational analysis that was published in August 2006. This was funded as part of
the CATIA programme’s activities in the country. It was clear from the study that the absence of a national
backbone infrastructure was hindering ICT sector growth and the overall development of the country.
The DmTIC and Alternatives were then able to secure funds from the IDrC to launch a national backbone
feasibility study that will be used as evidence to ad- vocate for the development of a national broadband
network. The development of a national backbone became the major task of the DmTIC in 2006.
Secondly, it was recognised that the DrC does not have a national ICT policy. This is paramount for the country
if it is to emerge with a vision on ICTs and implement various ICT programmes that will promote progress in
health, education, mining, agriculture and post-con- lict reconstruction and bring together the support of
international development agencies, civil society, the private sector and public institutions.
However, the development of a national vision and implementation plan along with an institutional
framework to implement various ICT programmes was not possible due to the preoccupation of the govern-
ment with elections in 2006. The DmTIC therefore planned to push the ICT policy process forward by rais-
ing awareness on ICT policy issues. In collaboration with Alternatives it has launched a media campaign
with radio talk shows and TV programmes on speciic ICT policy issues.
Thirdly, the DmTIC established that the DrC had devel- oped a telecommunications policy framework in 2002.
while the policy encouraged the expansion of the mobile sector, it did not help the country to achieve
connectivity to the vast majority of the population liv- ing in rural areas. An enabling regulatory framework
on the ICT sector is therefore absent.
Key issues for consideration were: •
revision of the telecommunications policy of 2002
• Improving the capacity of the regulator
• Putting new laws and regulations in the ICT sector
in place •
Improving the participation of the private sector in ICT investment.
Finally, it was clear that access to ICTs lags far behind the rest of the world. Improving access to computers
was another challenge addressed by the DmTIC in its business plan. This includes distributing computers to
rural areas and providing training to users.
However, the DmTIC decided to focus on a few issues of national importance such as a national backbone
and pursued these aggressively rather than spreading itself too thinly on many issues. The increased focus
had the following impact on the multi-stakeholder process:
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A G U I D E F o r N A T I o N A L I C T P o L I C y A N I m A T o r S
• Improved credibility. The DmTIC works with policy-
makers, telecommunications operators, interna- tional experts, civil society and the private sector
in researching and advocating for the national backbone. This has increased its credibility and
fostered trust among key players, including the government. For example, the ministry of Post and
Telecommunications and the regulator contributed to the feasibility study.
• The focus on a small number of action plans al-
lowed donor agencies to support the proposed programmes that are considered feasible.
• The focus on a national backbone was also useful
in aligning itself with the private sector which faces a signiicant bandwidth challenge.
• It allowed the DmTIC to work with government on
an issue of national importance.
III. Capacity-building
