Current Situation and Challenges Current Situation I n the recent years the Vanuatu ICT sector has witnessed a major transformation. The telecommunications sector reform, which entailed a full liberalisation of the telecommunications market, has attracted new market players. Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) was joined by such new entrants like Digicel, Telsat and Can’L. This led to a remarkable increase in the availability of and access to telecommunications services, especially mobile telephony. The Pacific Institute of Public Policy (PIPP) reports that currently 99.4% of households surveyed use and 95.5% own a mobile phone (making a mobile phone the most common electrical appliance in Vanuatu homes). 4 out of 5 respondents have their own mobile phone.4 Achievements of the liberalisation are safeguarded and further enhanced by a strong, competent and independent regulator—the Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR). To provide further impetus to the sector development process, the ICT (including telecommunications) policy portfolio has been consolidated under the Honourable Prime Minister, who is currently also the Minister responsible for ICT and Telecommunications. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has been tasked to support the Honourable Prime Minister in relation to the policy development and coordination of its implementation. In addition to the above, the Honourable Prime Minister has set up the multi-stakeholder National ICT Development Committee, chaired by him. That Committee has developed this Policy. It is envisaged that it will also play a leading role in the implementation and further development of this Policy. Vanuatu has a rather elaborate ICT-related legal framework in place. This framework includes: 1 Laws governing the telecommunications sector—specifically: 2 Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulation Act No. 30 of 2009; 3 Telecommunications Act [CAP 206]; and 4 Wireless Telegraph (Ships) Act [CAP 5]; 5 Electronic Transactions Act No. 24 of 2000 (as amended by the Statute Law (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act No. 2 of 2010), which governs electronic transactions and related matters, including legal recognition of and requirements for electronic records, formation and validity of electronic contracts as well as other communication of electronic records, 4 Pacific Institute of Public Policy (2011). Net Effects: Social and economic impacts of telecommunications and internet in Vanuatu. Current Situation and Challenges 15