RIS ID
31309
Abstract
This paper draws on a six month study that aimed to broadly clarify strategies for the IndonesianGovernment to address the issue of convergence. This paper reports on one aspect of this study thatmaps stakeholder policymaker opinions about a future converged regulator in Indonesia.Convergence refers to a trend in regulation that seeks to define a single regulatory structure fortelecommunications, broadcasting and information technology. In particular, the specific aims ofthis study were to examine regulatory structures with regard to two parameters derived from theInternational Telecommunications Union (ITU): the level of independence, and institutional design.Using benchmarking as a method, three case studies of Malaysia, South Africa and the UnitedKingdom were selected and evaluated using published data from the ITU. These parameters werealso used to characterise the current situation in Indonesia. Indonesia&¿s current regulatory structureis exemplified by two regulators each with primary responsibility over telecommunications andbroadcasting respectively. Each of these regulatory structures is complicated by sharedresponsibilities across regulatory divides as well as between central and provincial jurisdictions.There is also a marked difference in the level of autonomy that each regulatory body enjoys. Whilethe telecommunications regulator, the Indonesian Telecommunications Regulatory Body (BRTI), isclosely aligned to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) thebroadcasting regulator, the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), enjoys greater autonomy asit reports to the central legislature (DPR). In addition to these provincial offices of the KPI report toprovincial legislatures (DPRD). The resultant comparative framework was used to gain advice fromgovernment experts to develop alternative strategies that are appropriate to the uniquecircumstances of Indonesia. While the outcomes of the study reveal a complex set of circumstancesrequiring further investigation the primary challenge appears to be one of selecting an appropriatelevel of independence for a future converged regulatory body. In conjunction with this, theoutcomes move on to consider the creation of a converged regulator in relation to institutionaldesign when addressing convergence.
Publication Details
Nugraha, Y. & Tibben, W. (2009). Strategies for implementing a converged ICT regulator in Indonesia. In F. Papandrea & M. Armstrong (Eds.), Communications Policy & Research Forum 2009 (pp. 11-26). Sydney, Australia: Network Insights.