St Kitts and Nevis passes Electronic Communication Bill 2021

A bill to provide for regulating an electronic communications network and an electronic communications service and for related matters

Saturday, 20th February 2021

St Kitts and Nevis: A bill to provide for regulating an electronic communications network and an electronic communications service and for related matters, otherwise known as the Electronic Communications Bill, 2021, was successfully adopted by the Federal Parliament of St Kitts and Nevis on Thursday, 18 February 2021. Minister of Health, ICT, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development, Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Mover of the Bill, outlined its objectives. "Mr Speaker, the entry into force of the EC bill in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis will ensure a wider range of regulations from telecommunications to 'electronic communications' and will also address issues, but not limited to: principles of fair competition; change of ownership of electronic communications companies within the ECTEL contracting states; universal service and access; maintaining an open internet with the adoption of principles of net neutrality; the establishment of the NTRCs as corporations; the establishment of an independent tribunal of the NTRC to hear unresolved disputes between licensees and customers, and the inclusion of more fines for, among other things, violating the law.” Minister Byron-Nisbett noted that a critical part of the bill is implementing a robust regulatory framework that promotes and preserves a vibrant sector. "Mr Speaker of the EC Bill contains the most important elements needed for an effective regulatory framework, such as the functional aspects of the regulatory authority, decision-making processes, accountability, consumer protection, dispute resolution, and enforcement powers," she added. The bill will serve as a valuable piece of legislation for the Federation's electronic communications sector because the EC bill's objectives are to ensure that market failure is avoided to promote effective competition. The most important, in my opinion, is to protect consumer interests. "And I believe even if we move to a digital economy, it means so much more in the light of Mr Speaker." The Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) noted that the bill represents the Federation's progress in the present and future. "It has spoken to our past, present and future, and it has shown how the foundations we have laid are building and moving fast to reach us as a Federation where we need to come in terms of our digital transformation and in no way we take the work done by others and take it for granted to get us where we are not taken for granted in telecommunications, ”said Minister Byron-Nisbett. "It also speaks to how resilient we are as a nation and how we continue to do everything in our power to ensure that we continue to advance this country." She takes this opportunity to thank the Honorable House members for their contributions in support of the bill. She notes that she is delighted that they have received the support of both sides of the House for such vital milestone legislation. "The minister believes that the bill' not only St. Kitts and Nevis, but the entire region and members of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) cannot push to even higher heights."