(Commonwealth_ The Sri Lankan government is poised to introduce long-awaited amendments to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Act, marking the first significant update in 28 years. State Technology Minister Kanaka Herath highlighted key revisions, notably the inclusion of provisions allowing “third-party” entities to erect telecom towers. This move signals a fundamental shift in the country’s telecommunications landscape, aiming to foster competition, enhance infrastructure development, and accelerate digital connectivity.
Established in 1996, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) was tasked with catalyzing sustained growth within the telecom sector, ensuring regulatory efficacy, safeguarding public interests, and adapting to the evolving demands of a dynamic market. Central to its mandate is the facilitation of open, fair, and effective competition, vital for stimulating innovation and consumer choice.
Minister Herath underscored the imminent tabling of the proposed amendments, slated for parliamentary debate within the next two months. Among the proposed changes is the regulation of undersea cable networks and the authorization for third parties to construct telecom towers—an initiative poised to invigorate infrastructure expansion and enhance service delivery nationwide.
Presently, telecom towers are primarily developed by incumbent telco companies, with the TRCSL allocating 50% of tower sites, which are then constructed and shared among operators. However, the impending amendments seek to diversify this landscape by allowing independent entities to spearhead tower construction, fostering greater agility and efficiency in network deployment.
The government’s ambitious target of erecting 276 towers reflects a concerted effort to bolster communication infrastructure, thereby catalyzing socio-economic development and advancing the digital economy. Amidst financial constraints exacerbated by an unprecedented economic downturn, telecom operators have been compelled to streamline their investment priorities, necessitating alternative avenues for infrastructure expansion.
Minister Herath elucidated that the proposed amendments are poised to streamline tower development, expediting the pace of deployment and circumventing logistical bottlenecks inherent in the current framework. By outsourcing tower construction to third-party entities, the government aims to leverage specialized expertise and resources, accelerating the realization of its infrastructure objectives.
Importantly, the role of third-party entities will be confined to tower construction, with telco companies retaining responsibility for supplying and maintaining associated equipment and services. This delineation of responsibilities ensures operational cohesion while maximizing efficiency in infrastructure deployment.
In the realm of collaborative tower sharing, where telecommunications companies pool resources to utilize infrastructure assets, the shift towards third-party construction marks a significant strategic pivot. This transition is not merely procedural but represents a fundamental reorientation in the industry’s operational dynamics. By diversifying the entities responsible for tower construction, the amendments set the stage for a more inclusive and competitive telecommunications landscape.
The infusion of third-party entities into the construction process ushers in a new era of innovation and efficiency. Previously monopolized by telecom giants, the construction of telecom towers is now open to a broader array of stakeholders, fostering a more dynamic ecosystem of infrastructure providers. This diversity promises to inject fresh perspectives, methodologies, and technologies into the construction process, driving advancements and enhancing service quality.
Moreover, the introduction of third-party involvement is poised to stimulate healthy competition within the sector. With multiple entities vying for contracts and opportunities, telecom companies are incentivized to innovate, optimize their operations, and deliver superior services to consumers. This competitive pressure spurs efficiency gains, cost reductions, and technological advancements, ultimately benefiting end-users through improved connectivity and service reliability.
The amendments not only promote competition but also facilitate more efficient resource allocation within the telecommunications sector. By decentralizing tower construction responsibilities, the burden on individual telecom firms is alleviated, allowing them to focus resources on core competencies such as network optimization and service innovation. This reallocation of resources enhances overall industry efficiency, driving down costs and accelerating infrastructure deployment.
