Economic Regulation

Economic Regulation is broadly defines as the imposition of rules and penalties by governments specifically to modify the economic behaviour of industries - W.T Stanbury 

The Communications Act mandates the UCC to execute this role in the Communications sector through various functions stipulated in the Communications Act. The functions include;

· the establishment of a tariff system to promote consumer well being and fair competition

· the promotion of competition

· the regulation of interconnection and access systems

· the licensing, monitoring and regulation of communication services

· Promotion of equitable access to communications services

· Provision of policy advice to the minister responsible for communications

The Commission executes the said functions through a specialist unit, the Economic Regulation Unit, in the Department of Competition & Consumer Affairs. The unit leads the Commission in all economic and commercial practices in the execution of its mandate. Specifically, the Unit is responsible for;

· Interconnection Regulation

· Tariff Regulation (should include advertising and miss selling services)

· Industry and Market Performance Reviews

· Market Definition and Market Power Assessments for Competition Regulation

· Business and Economic appraisal of licensing frameworks and applications

· Assessment of Mergers, Acquisitions and License transfers