6.2 Public Consultation

It is good practice to engage in public consultation before and during an authorization process. Consultation with ICT sector stakeholders reinforces the perception of a transparent process. Consultation also allows the regulator to directly receive the views of consumers, existing service providers and prospective applicants on a proposed authorization initiative. Receiving feedback from these stakeholders assists the regulator to fine-tune the proposed authorization procedures and the proposed authorization terms and conditions in order to maximize the prospects for a successful authorization process. Indeed, consultation is often the least expensive form of ‘research’ a regulator can use to improve the information base on which its decisions are made.

Even where regulators choose, for commercial or other reasons, to conduct some discussion with potential applicants out of the public eye, it is useful to conduct public consultation early in an authorization process. This improves the design of the authorization process. Consultation can be particularly important where a general authorization is to be issued. Advance publication of proposed conditions of general authorizations provides an important opportunity for public comment –especially comment by interested service providers.