Damascus-SANA
The Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority lays down the foundations and regulations that guarantee the regulation of the telecommunications sector in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Law and the general policies and directions set by the Ministry of Communications and Technology and is keen to provide telecommunications services by those licensed to provide them with high quality and reasonable prices to meet the needs of society and the national economy.
The director of the authority, Eng. Manhal Junaidi, explained in a statement to SANA reporter that one of the authority’s tasks is to stimulate fair competition between operators and service providers, protect users and beneficiaries, and issue the necessary decisions for this purpose, including studying and analyzing telecom markets and determining the level of regulation therein.
Junaidi added: The authority determines the general principles that operators and service providers are bound by, sets conditions, criteria and procedures for granting licenses for telecommunication networks and services, and takes the necessary measures to ensure that licensees comply with the terms of the license. Managing the civil radio frequency spectrum and regulating its use in Syria’s lands, regional waters, airspace and space.
Junaidi pointed out that among the tasks of the authority is to coordinate the distribution and allocation of telecommunications frequencies with the concerned authorities in other countries in accordance with the recommendations and requirements in force in the International Telecommunication Union and the relevant regional and international bodies. It is also working on preparing and following up the implementation of the national numbering plan and allocating numbers to licensees.
According to Junaidi, the authority is working on reviewing pricing systems to be fair compared to their counterparts in the Arab and regional telecommunications markets, preparing a system for receiving complaints from users and licensees, considering and studying them, resolving disputes that may arise between licensees and subscribers and any other party related to the field of telecommunications and setting technical rules related to safety The health and environmental issues to be followed in everything related to communications. The authority also approves the types of communications equipment and grants the necessary permits for this, and coordinates with the concerned authorities when importing them.
Junaidi explained that the authority participates in representing Syria before international, regional and Arab countries, organizations, and federations in all matters relating to communications and information technologies and identifies communications security requirements in coordination with the concerned authorities. .
Junaidi pointed out that the TRA is keen to carry out its tasks, exercise its powers, and take all actions, decisions and measures in an effective and regular manner, in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Law, and taking into account the best approved international standards related to the organization and management of telecommunications services.
As for the Authority’s financial resources, between Junaidi, they consist of the initial and annual licensing allowances, revenue sharing with the licensees, fees for submitting licensing applications, fees for annual licenses and permits and their renewal, fees for licensing primary and annual frequencies, and fines that have the status of compensation, which the authority collects from licensees in the event they violate their obligations in addition. for the fees it receives for the services it performs and for the returns on the investment of its funds.
Junaidi added: The authority’s resources also include loans, credit facilities, any wages or other contributions imposed on the licensees in accordance with the terms of the license or the regulations set by the authority, grants, gifts, donations, aid, wills and aid received after the approval of the Prime Minister and the subsidies allocated to them in the state’s general budget, in addition to To any other resources approved by the Council of Ministers.
According to Junaidi, the authority is composed of a board of commissioners and an executive body headed by the general manager. The board consists of seven members, including the chairman and his deputy, who are experienced and specialized in telecommunications, information technology and the economy, in addition to several directorates working in coordination with each other to organize the authority’s work, including the licensing directorate and the directorate of frequencies The Directorate of Technical Affairs, the Directorate of Communications Markets, the Directorate of Information and Data, the Directorate of Financial and Accounting Affairs, the Directorate of Judicial Police, and the Directorate of Communication.
Junaidi pointed out that under the Telecommunications Law, a fund called the Universal Service Fund has been created, with the aim of providing resources to implement projects of a developmental nature in the field of communications or information technology to provide certain public communications services to all members of society, regardless of their geographical location, even in economically unfeasible places. Be suitable in terms of price and quality.
Nour Youssef
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