Review of NICTA: A Leading ICT Regulator and Licensor in PNG

NICTA, which stands for National Information and Communications Technology Authority, is a government agency that regulates and licenses the ICT sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG). NICTA was established in 2010 by the National ICT Act, which consolidated the functions of the former Papua New Guinea Telecommunications Authority (PANGTEL) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). NICTA’s vision is to create a “vibrant and dynamic ICT sector that contributes to the social and economic development of PNG”¹

NICTA’s core activities include:

• Managing the numbering resource and access to radio-frequency spectrum
• Developing and enforcing technical standards and codes of practice for ICT services and equipment
• Promoting fair competition and consumer protection in the ICT market
• Licensing ICT operators and service providers
• Monitoring and reporting on the performance and quality of ICT services
• Advising the government on ICT policy and legislation
• Supporting ICT research, innovation, and development
• Facilitating universal access to ICT services in rural and remote areas ¹

NICTA has achieved several milestones and strengths in its role as an ICT regulator and licensor. Some of these include:

• Implementing a number portability system that allows customers to switch between mobile operators without changing their phone numbers ²
• Launching a national broadband network project that aims to connect all provincial capitals and major towns with high-speed fibre-optic cables ³
• Establishing a universal access and service fund that subsidizes the provision of ICT services in underserved areas ⁴
• Introducing a cybercrime code that criminalizes various online offences such as hacking, phishing, identity theft, cyberbullying, and child pornography ⁵
• Developing a national cybersecurity strategy that outlines the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in enhancing the security and resilience of PNG’s cyberspace ⁶
• Hosting the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Conference of Telecommunications/ICT Regulators in 2019, which brought together over 200 delegates from 32 countries to discuss emerging trends and challenges in the ICT sector ⁷

NICTA is one of the most prominent and influential ICT employers in PNG, as it oversees a vital and fast-growing sector that contributes to the country’s social and economic development. NICTA offers a range of career opportunities for professionals with skills and qualifications in ICT, engineering, law, economics, finance, accounting, administration, human resources, communications, and other related fields. NICTA also provides training and development programs for its staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in the ICT sector. NICTA’s employees enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, as well as a conducive work environment that fosters teamwork, innovation, and excellence⁸

Compared to other employers in PNG in the same line of business, such as telecommunications companies, internet service providers, IT service providers, IT consultants, e-commerce platforms, web developers, programmers, hardware and software vendors, NICTA has some unique advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages are:

• NICTA has a broader scope and impact on the ICT sector, as it regulates and licenses all types of ICT services and equipment in PNG
• NICTA has more authority and influence on the ICT policy and legislation in PNG, as it advises the government on various ICT issues
• NICTA has more opportunities to collaborate and network with regional and international organizations in the ICT sector, such as APT, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA), Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), etc.
• NICTA has more access to resources and funding for ICT research, innovation, and development projects

Some of the disadvantages are:

• NICTA faces more challenges and complexities in regulating and licensing a dynamic and diverse ICT sector that is constantly evolving with new technologies, services, operators, providers, customers, markets, etc.
• NICTA has more responsibilities and obligations to ensure that the ICT sector operates in a fair, efficient, transparent, safe, secure, reliable, affordable, and accessible manner for all stakeholders
• NICTA has more risks and threats from cyberattacks, cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, cyberwarfare, etc. that may compromise its systems, data, networks, operations, reputation, etc.
• NICTA has more scrutiny and criticism from various stakeholders who may have different interests, expectations, demands, complaints, appeals, disputes, litigations, etc. regarding its decisions, actions, policies, regulations, licenses, standards, codes, etc.

Compared to other employers in the world similar to NICTA, such as other national ICT regulators and licensors in other countries or regions, NICTA has some commonalities and differences. Some of the commonalities are:

• NICTA shares the same vision and mission of creating a vibrant and dynamic ICT sector that contributes to the social and economic development of its country or region
• NICTA performs the same functions and roles of managing the numbering resource and access to radio-frequency spectrum, developing and enforcing technical standards and codes of practice for ICT services and equipment, promoting fair competition and consumer protection in the ICT market, licensing ICT operators and service providers, monitoring and reporting on the performance and quality of ICT services, advising the government on ICT policy and legislation, supporting ICT research, innovation, and development, facilitating universal access to ICT services in rural and remote areas, etc.
• NICTA faces the same challenges and opportunities of regulating and licensing a dynamic and diverse ICT sector that is constantly evolving with new technologies, services, operators, providers, customers, markets, etc.
• NICTA follows the same principles and best practices of ICT regulation and licensing that are based on international standards and guidelines, such as those issued by ITU, APT, PITA, APNIC, ICANN, etc.

Some of the differences are:

• NICTA operates in a different context and environment that is influenced by various factors, such as the size, population, geography, economy, culture, politics, history, legal system, etc. of its country or region
• NICTA has a different structure and organization that is determined by its mandate, governance, funding, staffing, etc.
• NICTA has a different strategy and approach that is tailored to its specific needs, priorities, goals, objectives, targets, indicators, etc.
• NICTA has a different performance and impact that is measured by its achievements, outcomes, outputs, inputs, etc.

Wantokjobs.com is a leading online job board that caters to employers and jobseekers in PNG and the Pacific Islands. Wantokjobs.com can assist NICTA with recruitment using its features, especially in relation to the nature of the organization. Some of these features are:

• Wantokjobs.com allows NICTA to post unlimited job ads for free on its website ⁹, which can reach a large pool of potential candidates who are interested in working in the ICT sector
• Wantokjobs.com enables NICTA to create a company profile ¹⁰ that showcases its vision, mission, values, culture, achievements, strengths, benefits, etc. to attract and retain talent
• Wantokjobs.com provides NICTA with advanced recruitment tools ¹¹ that simplify and streamline the hiring process, such as resume database access, applicant tracking system (ATS), job matching algorithm, email alerts, social media integration, etc.
• Wantokjobs.com offers NICTA with professional recruitment services ¹² that assist with sourcing, screening, shortlisting, interviewing, testing, verifying, selecting, hiring, onboarding, etc. of candidates
• Wantokjobs.com supports NICTA with career development resources ¹³ that help with training and development of staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in the ICT sector

NICTA is a leading ICT regulator and licensor in PNG that plays a vital role in creating a vibrant and dynamic ICT sector that contributes to the social and economic development of PNG. NICTA offers a range of career opportunities for professionals with skills and qualifications in ICT, engineering, law, economics, finance, accounting, administration, human resources, communications, and other related fields. NICTA also provides training and development programs for its staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in the ICT sector. NICTA’s employees enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, as well as a conducive work environment that fosters teamwork, innovation, and excellence. If you are interested in working for NICTA or learning more about its organization and activities, visit its official website ¹ or follow its social media pages ¹⁴¹⁵. You can also check out Wantokjobs.com ¹⁶ for the latest job openings at NICTA or other ICT employers in PNG and the Pacific Islands. Wantokjobs.com is your one-stop destination for finding your dream job in the ICT sector. Apply now and join the ICT revolution!

References:

¹: https://www.nicta.gov.pg/ ²: https://www.nicta.gov.pg/number-portability/ ³: https://www.nicta.gov.pg/national-broadband-network/ ⁴: https://www.nicta.gov.pg/universal-access-and-service-fund/ ⁵: https://www.nicta.gov.pg/cybercrime-code/ ⁶: https://www.nicta.gov.pg/national-cybersecurity-strategy/ ⁷