The Government of the Republic of Naoero

 

Ministry of Telecommunication and Naoero Communications Authority

Ministry of Telecommunications & Naoero Communications Authority

The Ministry of Telecommunications is responsible for providing policy direction and strategic oversight for the telecommunications and communications sector in the Republic of Naoero. The Ministry works to support the development of a secure, accessible, reliable and modern communications environment that contributes to Naoero's social and economic development.

Under the Communications and Broadcasting Act 2018, the legislative framework distinguishes the policy and governmental responsibilities of the Ministry from the regulatory functions of the Naoero Communications Authority (NCA). The Act establishes the NCA as an independent and impartial statutory authority responsible to the Minister for Telecommunications.

Naoero Communications Authority

The NCA is the principal regulatory body for the communications sector in Naoero. Established under Part 2 of the Communications and Broadcasting Act 2018, the Authority is responsible for implementing and enforcing the legislative and regulatory framework governing telecommunications, broadcasting, communications networks and radio spectrum.

The Authority's principal functions include:

Licensing and regulation - granting, renewing, varying, suspending and revoking communications and spectrum licences, and monitoring compliance with licence conditions.
Spectrum management - managing, allocating and assigning radio frequencies in an orderly and efficient manner; maintaining the national spectrum plan; managing spectrum licences and fees; and addressing harmful interference.
Market regulation and competition - promoting efficient, competitive and reliable communications services, addressing competition matters and ensuring that regulatory requirements are applied fairly and without discrimination.
Consumer protection - facilitating the resolution of complaints and disputes between service providers and subscribers and monitoring retail rates and charges for communications services.
Interconnection and numbering - regulating interconnection between communications networks and establishing and administering Naoero's national numbering plan.
Equipment and technical regulation - providing for the approval of communications apparatus and equipment and ensuring that communications systems operate in accordance with applicable technical and regulatory requirements.
Compliance and enforcement - investigating potential breaches of the Act, regulations, licences and regulatory decisions, undertaking enforcement action and, where appropriate, recommending prosecution.
International representation - representing Naoero, with the appropriate governmental approval, in relevant international communications and standards-setting bodies and ensuring that the use of spectrum is consistent with applicable international obligations and standards.
Emergency communications - overseeing national emergency numbers and emergency communications services and ensuring that appropriate priority and capacity are maintained for emergency communications.
Policy and regulatory advice - advising the Minister on telecommunications and communications matters and recommending regulations, orders and other measures necessary for the effective administration of the sector.
Overall Mandate

Collectively, the Ministry and the NCA provide the policy and regulatory framework necessary to ensure that Naoero's communications sector remains accessible, competitive, reliable, secure and responsive to national development needs. The framework is intended to encourage investment and innovation while protecting consumers, ensuring efficient use of scarce radio-frequency resources, and maintaining compliance with Naoero's international communications obligations.

The Communications and Broadcasting Act (Radio Spectrum Regulations) 2024 expressly identifies among its objectives the separation of governmental and regulatory functions, promotion of telecommunications development, universal accessibility, efficient and competitive communications services, fair treatment of service providers and consumers, sustainable investment, and an appropriate licensing and tariff framework.

Both the Ministry & NCA are headed by the Chief Regulator, who is the Head of Department for Telecommunications, as well as the chairperson of the NCA. All matters relating to telecommunication and radiocommunication must be referred to the Chief Regulator's office for endorsement and approval.

Office of the Regulator

The Office of the Regulator is located at the Ministry of ICT Building, Yaren District. The Office can be contacted via

Phone: +674 888 0941

Email: naurutelecom@nauru.gov.nr

For Telecommunication Licenses, Radio Licenses, Type Acceptance and/or License Renewals, please use the link below to submit your application for review and approval -

https://form.jotform.com/naurutelecom/nauru-telecommunications-license-ap