November 2000

Algeria Update Memo

The following memo outlines new developments in the past three months and the state of on-going developments.

1.Introduction and Summary

The most overwhelming event is undoubtedly the ongoing regulatory changes pertaining to the telecommunications sector. There have been a new Law issued in order to bring the necessary reforms and restructuring to bring the development and the modernization of this sector into fruition in the light of global market and technological evolution. This new regulatory framework is planning to bring about a more relevant policy that will foster competition and satisfy the consumer.

2. Information Society Policy

2.1 Historical overview and general legislation

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.2 Umbrella Policies and national IS strategy

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.3 IS Application Areas

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.4 Government and administration (national, regional, local)

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.5. Telecommunications and Internet

2.5.1 Telecommunications

The new Law n# 2000-03 of the 5^th August setting the general rules bound to the Posts and Telecommunications has been approved by both the Council of the Nation and the Senate (the two Houses of the Algerian Parliament) which introduces changes by opening the way, for the first time, to competition between private operators. The Law defines the four operating modalities for the exploitation of the telecom services: the License, the Agreement, the Declaration and the Authorisation. One more important change will consist of the separation of the two activities into separate entities: Posts independently from telecommunications.

2.5.2 Internet

In the third quarter of the year 2000, ten new agreements have been delivered by the ‘Internet Commission’ to ten new ISPs. Thus, increasing their number to 28 in Algeria.

2.6 Electronic Commerce

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.7 Education and research

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.8 Transport

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.9 Health care

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.10 Labour

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.11 Competition

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.12 Access for all

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.12 Copyright, intellectual property rights

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.14 Public access to data

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.15 Privacy, data protection, consumer protection

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.16 Security

There have been no new development since last delivery.

2.17 Freedom of expression and information

The Algerian National Assembly has set up a preparatory regulation for the liberalization of the audiovisual sector: television and radio waves. This Bill would pave the way for the liberalization of the communication and information sectors too.

2.18 Others

There have been no new development since last delivery.

3. Institutions and organisations in charge of IS regulation

3.1 Ministries

There have been no new development since last delivery.

3.2 National regulatory authorities

Following the adoption of the new telecommunication Law, a new independent regulatory body will be appointed in order to monitor the activities of telecommunications. It will be in charge of the control and the provision of agreements and licenses to the forthcoming telecom private operators. The head of this regulatory authority will be appointed by the President.

3.3 Office for the protection of economic competition

There have been no new development since last delivery.

3.4 Consultative councils

There have been no new development since last delivery.

3.5 Bodies in charge of RTD policy

There have been no new development since last delivery.

3.6 Organisations in charge of the promotion of the IS

There have been no new development since last delivery.

4. International relationships and agreements

There have been no new development since last delivery.

5. Market: Privatisation, foreign investment, mergers, acquisitions, call for tenders,…

There have been no new development since last delivery.

6. Standards

There have been no new development since last delivery.

6.1 Standardisation bodies dealing with IS issues

There have been no new development since last delivery.

6.2 Relevant standards

There have been no new development since last delivery.