Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RABAT49
2006-01-10 17:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

MOROCCO SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT POLICY

Tags:  ECPS ECON MO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #0049 0101714
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101714Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2473
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS RABAT 000049 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CIP/MA
COMMERCE DEPT FOR NTIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ECON MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT POLICY

REF: 05 SECSTATE 225777

UNCLAS RABAT 000049

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CIP/MA
COMMERCE DEPT FOR NTIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ECON MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT POLICY

REF: 05 SECSTATE 225777


1. Econoff met Jan. 10 with Mohammed El Kadiri, Technical
Director for Moroccan national telecoms regulator ANRT to
discuss Moroccan spectrum management policy per request in
Ref A. Answers below are keyed to questions in Reftel.


2. A) The authority responsible for spectrum management in
Morocco is the Agence Nationale de Reglementation des
Telecommunications (ANRT),the Moroccan national telecoms
regulator. ANRT is an independent regulatory agency that
reports directly to the Prime Minister's office.

B) Spectrum is assigned in two ways: it is provided to
private sector operators through a competitive licensing
regime; and to state institutions like the National Police
based on good-faith technical discussions of the entity's
needs and on a first-come, first-served basis.

C) ANRT describes its licensing regime as a "beauty contest"
competition in which the regulator weighs offers based on
criteria including coverage, technical specifications and
price. Licenses are awarded on a technology-neutral basis
and are subject to renewal based on competitive contest.

D) Licensees do not have the flexibility to transfer their
spectrum rights at this time, nor is there a secondary market
for spectrum rights in Morocco. Licensees may not aggregate
licenses nor subdivide them. They may not accept payment in
exchange for spectrum access.

E) There are annual frequency fees imposed on spectrum users
beyond the original licensing fees. Fees are set by the
Ministry of Industry and Telecommunications. State users
(National Police, e.g.) and diplomatic entities are entirely
exempt from, or enjoy reduced frequency fees.

F) Government and other non-commercial users are subject to
different rules as described above (different allocation
process, different fee structure).

G) No other incentives beyond market-based competition are
used at this time to encourage efficient use of spectrum.

H) As addressed above, Government and other non-profit
agencies are subject to different rules regarding allocation
and fees.

I) Primary in-country contact on spectrum management policy:

Name: Mohammed El Kadiri
Title: Technical Director, ANRT
Address: Centre d'Affaires, Boulevard Erryad, Hay Ryad,
Rabat 10000 MOROCCO.
Telephone: 011-212-37-71-85-01
Fax: 011-212-37-71-85-47
E-mail: elkadiri@anrt.net.ma

Any studies published by ANRT on market-based economic
mechanisms for spectrum management will be posted on the
agency's website: www.anrt.net.ma
******************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat
******************************************

Riley