Qatar’s newly established independent communications regulator the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), today released a policy statement setting out key principles that would underpin its approach to regulation of the communications sector. The policy statement is intended to provide transparency and certainty to stakeholders in regard to the focus of regulation while ensuring that the sector thrives and meets the needs of the residents of Qatar.
In line with its statutory objectives, the CRA will facilitate sustainable development of the sector for the long-term benefit of consumers and improving Qatar’s global competitiveness on the international stage.
Through targeted, and justified regulatory intervention, the CRA is placing a bigger emphasis on wholesale (dealings between operators) regulation to unlock major inhibitors to network facilities and service competition. Access to key network infrastructure elements on equal terms by all players in the market will help ensure that the people of Qatar have access to a broad range of innovative, reasonably priced communications services as demand for such services continues to increase at a fast pace.
With the above, the CRA expects to gradually reduce the reliance on retail regulation to achieve the desired results for consumers. However, crucial aspects related to consumer protection will still be retained.
In addition, specific rules will apply to dominant service providers to address anti-competitive behavior. To support this requirement and gauge the effectiveness of regulatory outputs on the market as a whole, systematic monitoring of the market will be conducted.
The CRA is confident that through a coherent strategy and robust regulatory framework which meets the requirements of the communications sector and close cooperation from the stakeholders, Qatar will be poised to benefit as it moves towards being a knowledge-based economy.
The policy statement is available at this link.