The ASEAN Telecommunication Regulators' Council (ATRC) was formed in July 1995
by the ASEAN telecommunications regulators at their inaugural meeting held in
Jakarta, Indonesia. It was formed after the disbandment of the ASEAN POSTEL (Committee
for Post and Telecommunications), which was a committee under the ASEAN Economic
mechanism.
At the point that it was established, the ATRC had no formal link with the
ASEAN Secretariat until 2001 when the ASEAN Telecommunications Ministers Meeting
(TELLMIN), at its first meeting in Kuala Lumpur, agreed that henceforth, the ATRC
shall act as advisor to TELMIN.
The ATRC Chair rotates annually among all members and the usual practice is
for the in-coming chair to host the annual meeting which is attended by the Chairmen,
Chief Executives and Directors-General of the ASEAN telecommunications regulatory
authorities.
Objectives and Functions of the ATRC
ATRC was initiated as a result of the recognition of the dynamic global telecommunications
environment within which the ASEAN nations operate. It also recognises the importance
of telecommunications as a fundamental infrastructure upon which the vision of
an ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) can be realized. The ATRC was formed to provide
the telecommunications regulators and authorities within the region the opportunities
to work together in the spirit of cooperation and action. The role of the regulators
is to effectively facilitate the development of the telecommunications industry,
serve consumers and accelerate the growth and development of the industry.
The main functions of the ATRC are:
(a) Discussion and coordination of policy, strategic and regulatory issues
in telecommunications that are of mutual interest to the telecommunications administrations
of the ASEAN nations. These shall include but not limited to radio frequency coordination,
standards, regulatory trends and issues, strategies for telecommunications development
and international affairs; and
(b) Identification and promotion of areas of potential cooperation in telecommunications
amongst ASEAN nations and facilitate the exchange of information in these areas
through activities such as seminars, training and workshops.
ATRC ACTIVITIES
Key activity areas of the ATRC are:
(a) Harmonization of frequency spectrum allocation and use within the ASEAN
region, such as satellite services, mobile cellular and radio paging services
to enhance mobility and convenience of users;
(b) Harmonization of technical compliance processes and standards for telecommunications
equipment to support the effort of ASEAN manufacturers and suppliers to market
their products in one another's market and to enhance the range and availability
of this equipment for users. One concrete output of this is the formulation of
the ATRC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Telecommunications Equipment;
(c) Promotion of the development, interconnectivity and interoperability of
the National Information Infrastructure (NII) of ASEAN countries through harmonization
of broadband multimedia networks standards with a view to assist all ASEAN members
to develop NII plans and the needs for balanced development of such infrastructure
within ASEAN; and
(d) Development of human resource expertise to support the growing needs of
the region telecommunication sector. This is envisaged to be done through the
establishment of linkages amongst members to facilitate skill training and enhancement
in telecommunications fields.
