The Communications Bill 2012 . . Explanatory Memorandum This Communications Bill 2012 implements the Government of Kiribati’s policy for the reform of the ICT sector adopted in April 2011. The central objective of that policy is to achieve open and competitive communications markets in Kiribati. International experience suggests that competition will deliver significant social and economic benefits, through improved services, lower prices, and broader coverage. The Bill sets up a new framework for regulation of communications. ‘The framework is intended to provide modern, independent, non-discriminatory and proportionate regulation of communications in Kiribati. The Bill has been developed having regard to intemational best practice aad theparticular needs of Kiribati. ’ Part I— Preliminary Provisions PartI sets out the objectives of the Bill, which have been aligned with theGovernment's objectives centre on ensuring regulation is: * technologically and competitively neutral; * transparent and non-discriminatory; and * policy. The promotes reliance on market forces, to the extent reasonable, It is intended that the Commission will have regard to these principles when administering and exercising its powers under the Act, Part Tt Institutional Framework Part Il sets out the institutional framework of theregulatory regime. a The regulator of the sector will be the Communications Commission of Kiribati. The Commission i is . . the same body, Sorporate as the : ss'andre “The Comimigsion will not be subject to direction by the Minister or Government give effect to general Government policies, nit W! be Tequire , to