Thread by @IBbossa

#Consumerprotection
This thread explores #consumerprotection aspects in the new broadcasting licensing regime. When in full force it will have hallmarks of what is happening else where in the region. Currently, all broadcasting are in advanced stages of signing agreements

There are three fundamental reasons why we regulate:
1. For effective and robust competition (avoid market failure)
2. Protect #consumers (ensure #consumer interests are protected)
3. Ensure widespread access to networks and services (preventing anti-competitive practices

#Consumerprotection in the new PUBLIC SERVICE PROVIDER LICENCE has a pricing condition requiring the Licensee (broadcaster) to within fourteen (14) days after signing the Licence Agreement, to provide @UCC_Official with a copy of its charges for all licensed services.

To protect #consumers broadcasters must notify and obtain approval from @UCC_Official whenever a broadcaster proposes any changes in the tariffs. This is in line with Section 5(1)(e) of the Uganda Communications Act, 2013 in regulating rates & charges for communication services

The new broadcasting Licence requires a broadcaster to submit to @UCC_Official within sixty (60) days of being granted a licence, a document detailing the broadcaster's Consumer Complaints Handling mechanism. This forms the basis of verifying compliance to providing redress

The broadcaster is required to maintain a database of all #consumer complaints received & handled capturing this information:
a)Date of complaint,
b)Complainant’s Name and full Contact address,
c)Brief Description of the complaint,
d)Action taken and the date of resolution

The new broadcasting licensing regime empowers @UCC_Official with the right to review complaint database kept by broadcasters as and when required. Additionally, broadcasters must submit to @UCC_Official a monthly report summarising the complaints received and handled.

It's why in implementing the complaints handling framework in the communication sector, #consumers are encouraged to complain by first submitting the complaint to the service provider. It is in the event that one remains dissatisfied that complainant submit to @UCC_Official

Where the complaint is not resolved using the complaint handling mechanism of the broadcaster, @UCC_Official shall investigate the complaint and direct where necessary the broadcaster to take the necessary remedial action in accordance with the Act and the relevant Regulations.

#Confidentiality and #dataprotection
The broadcaster is required to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of all consumer data, obtained in the course of providing its services to customers or interconnecting to public networks.

#Confidentiality and #dataprotection
The license requires that broadcasters must ensure that Consumer information is treated in confidence and must not be divulged or disclosed to any third party without a warrant from Court or under circumstances permitted by law.

The new licensing regime requires broadcasters to develop internal guidelines on #consumer #dataprotection and #privacy, detailing the measures put in place to ensure confidentiality and protection of all consumer related information. Guidelines are submitted to @UCC_Official

MUST CARRY OBLIGATION
The Licensed broadcaster shall be required to air content of the National Public Broadcaster’s (UBC) primary channel even after expiration of customer subscription.

This means that UBC must remain accessible on the platform even when subscription expires

Free to Air” is defined and described to mean television (TV) and radio services broadcast in unencrypted form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription;

The new broadcasting licence takes into account and with provisions on:
PROTECTION FROM HARM AND OFFENCE
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
RESPECT FOR GROUPS AND PERSONS IN SOCIETY
ACCESSIBILITY TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)
PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST
RESPECT FOR PRIVACY

LOCAL CONTENT
Licensed broadcasters shall comply with the local content obligations as stipulated in the regulations, guidelines and standards as shall be set by the Licensor @UCC_Official. The local content guidelines require 20% of local content on a licenced platform