4-2 4-2-1 The Current Institutional Structures The Ministry of Information and Communications The Ministry of Information and Communications is the primary stakeholder of ICT related policies and is tasked with overseeing the development, review and implementation of the Government’s information and communication agenda. The Ministry has mandated the preparation of this ICT Policy document and will be responsible for its regular review and update. 4-2-2 The Regulatory Authority, NATCOM The Telecommunications Act 2006 established the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) to provide for the licensing and regulation of telecommunications operators and for the promotion of universal access to basic telecommunications services. It is also tasked with ensuring fair competition for the benefit of investors and users of telecommunications networks and services and to improve the national, regional and global integration of Sierra Leone in telecommunications. 4-2-3 The National ICT Task Force The National ICT Task Force was established by the Government to provide strategic recommendations on the enabling policies for the ICT sector and the necessary institutional framework to result in a more effective, efficient and harmonized sector. 4.3 4-3-1 Current ICT Infrastructure and Network Operators Introduction The country's traditional telecommunications infrastructure suffered during the war but the mobile sector has experienced excellent growth with four GSM networks currently competing for customers. Wireless broadband service providers have been providing Internet access and VoIP Internet telephony. However, penetration rates in all market segments are still very low, leaving ample potential for future growth. 4-3-2 Incumbent Fixed Line Operator SierraTel (Sierra Leone Telecommunications Company), is 100% Government owned. It provides fixed-line, international and Internet services. The company lost its dominance with the arrival of the mobile network operators but has made significant effort to rehabilitate and reinstate the telecom network after the war and to modernise and expand its outdated equipment. The installed capacity of the PSTN fixed line network is 250,000 (as at 2004) but with only 25,000 active fixed lines (as at end 2008). The fixed-line teledensity is currently 0.4%. Its copper lines are in a very poor condition and are consequently not eligible for ADSL. SierraTel has plans to rehabilitate, upgrade and expand its PSTN services. Recently it has complemented the PSTN services using the CDMA wireless technologies to deliver both voice and data (Internet services). ICT Policy of Sierra Leone Page 18 / 63