APT Policy and Regulatory Forum (PRF)

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Introduction

The Asia-Pacific Forum on Telecommunication Policy and Regulation (PRF), initiated in 2001, has become one of the most important forums for regulators and policy makers of the Asia-Pacific region. Attracting typically 100 high-level participants from the Ministries and Regulatory Authorities each year, PRF is an excellent forum for discussion on common policy and regulatory issues of the region. It has provided the members with the understanding and knowledge of the policy and regulatory best practices and information of emerging issues that countries need to consider in regulating their telecom environments and proving an enabling and sustainable environment for the telecom industry.

Many Asia-Pacific countries have, in the last decade, witnessed rapid development of their telecommunication and ICT infrastructure, although they may be in very different stages of development. The PRF has assisted members to strengthen their policy and regulatory frameworks by sharing information and experiences and providing a platform to discuss key challenges and barriers to access and other key issues such as Universal Access, Interconnection, Number Portability, Dispute Resolution, Competition and the introduction of new services.

Objectives

Objectives of the Policy and Regulatory Forum are:

Bring the telecommunications and ICT policy makers and regulators from the region together to a common platform for a dialogue on issues faced by them as a result of the unprecedented changes taking place in the ICT sectors.
Provide an opportunity to the top policy makers and regulators to share information, best practices and experiences for the common benefit of the members.
Provide consultative support to members on one to one basis when required.
Promote sharing of expertise for addressing key issues of concern to the APT members.
Facilitating intra regional collaboration on policy and regulatory issues as required.
Facilitating the PRF to provide substantial inputs to the Global Symposium of Regulators (GSR)

Structure

PRF has annual meetings. The forum is headed by a Chairman and 4 Vice-Chairmen representing the four sub-regions of the Asia-Pacific (i.e. East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, and the Pacific). Chairman is nominated by the hosting country. The term of the Chairman is generally one year and the term of Vice-Chairmen is 2 years.