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Annual Report of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka for the Year 2018

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Annual Report of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka for the Year 2018 TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA ANNUAL REPORT 2018 It is most satisfying to note that Sri Lanka’s Telecommunications Sector, which has made considerable progress in recent years, is set for rapid growth to meet the development of the country and our society. Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has taken necessary actions in keeping with the Government’s policy for the development of this sector while expanding connectivity in the country with support of the licenses service providers. It was focused in this regard to develop infrastructure fixed and The Message of mobile areas and high- speed His Excellency the President broadband Internet access reaching the Sri Lankan society. These facility enhancements contributing to the spread of ICT, both in the urban and rural sectors. This will enable ready access to important aspects of digital connectivity such as telemedicine, e- governance, e-commerce, e- agriculture, education sector distance learning and entertainment and other services. The functions of the TRCSL in the year under review have contributed much to make telecommunications in the ii | Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka field of sustainable development goals other related regulatory matters. It also services in the country with a clear hosted and exchange of training direction of moving towards the facilities with support of sponsoring establishment of the new changes in the APT and International field of telecommunication and ICT’s in Telecommunications Union (ITU) for Sri Lanka. Towards this, it is engaged the stake holders, service providers and all related sustainable development staff of the Commission. institutions in using, modification of TRCSL has contributed to the country systems to suit IT development. improvement within this year and I am The TRCSL’s hosted of the Regulatory confident that the TRCSL will continue Conferences, in this year, jointly this commendable record of service in organized with the Asia Pacific the coming years and wish it every Telecommunity Organization (APT), success in meeting the challenges of the with the participation of delegates from future in this vital area of development Asia Pacific region countries, activity. strengthen the exchange of experience among telecommunications regulators, service providers, discussed and exchange of views on key issues such as Maithripala Sirisena policy and regulation, spectrum President of the Democratic Socialist management, Networks, Licensing and Republic of Sri Lanka Annual Report - 2018 | iii The Message of the Chairman Sri Lanka has a very vibrant – Middle East – Western Europe (SEA- telecommunication sector with around ME-WE) and the Fiber-Optic Link 32.5 Mn mobile subscriptions, 2.5 Mn around the Globe (FLAG) and Bay of fixed subscribers and 7.2 Mn Bengal Gateway (BBG). Landing broadband subscribers. Sri Lanka’s stations are operated by SLT, Lanka mobile market has already passed Bell and Dialog Axiata PLC. SEA-ME- 100% subscriber penetration WE undersea optical fibre links which (connections per 100 persons) strengthen the global coverage: SEA- milestone. By the end of 2018, the ME-WE 3, SEA-ME-WE 4, Bharat- mobile telephone penetration and fixed Lanka (between India and Sri Lanka) telephone penetration stood at 150% and Dhiraagu (between Maldives and and 11.5% respectively. Sri Lanka). The SEA-ME-WE 5 international undersea cable system Sri Lanka is the first country in the another important connectivity project. South Asian region to introduce 3G, The SEA-ME-WE 5 cable station is 3.5G HSPA, HSPA+ and Next established at Matara. With a total Generation Networks such as 4G-LTE design capacity of 24Tbps, this (Long Term Evolution). 3G and 4G 20,000km cable runs from Singapore to technologies cover in excess of 75% of France and has a total of 16 landing the population which is expected to stations. grow further with healthy competition. In the technology continuum, Sri Lanka The telecommunication and ICT are has been on par with the developed fast moving vehicles to reach expected world embracing new and evolving destination of development goals of the technologies. country. Having understood fully the gravity of the effect of ICT based Sri Lanka has international development of a country, the connectivity through three major Telecommunication Regulatory submarine cable systems. The major Commission of Sri Lanka while Submarine Cables are South-East-Asia iv | Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka attending to its regulatory matters, year and brought many benefits launched progressive programs to including training and technical explore the possibility of bringing the enhancement in the sector and paid ICT knowledge to the needy sections of more attention for achieving the country in 2018 with support of the Sustainable Development Goals in the International telecommunication field of Telecommunication and ICT organizations and Licensed area. Telecommunication operators. During I highly appreciate Director General the year 2018, TRCSL also initiated and the staff completing their many progressive activities towards admirable service rendered to achieve the development of telecommunication the regulatory task and developing the sector of this country. sector. The income generated by the Commission in 2018 through its means of regulatory measures has been a good income source to the Government consolidated fund in 2018. Chairman When looking back to the year 2018, Telecommunications Regulatory TRCSL achieved its progress during the Commission of Sri Lanka Annual Report - 2018 | v CONTENT CHAPTER - 01 ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Origin, Mission, Objectives, Responsibilities and Functions of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka CHAPTER - 02 ..................................................................................................................................... 7 The Commission & Executive Officers of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka CHAPTER - 03 ................................................................................................................................... 11 Overview of the Telecommunications Sector CHAPTER - 04 ................................................................................................................................... 17 Progress Review by the Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) for the year 2018 CHAPTER - 05 ................................................................................................................................... 25 Performances Licence Management ............................................................................................................ 27 Networks ................................................................................................................................ 31 Policy & International Relations ......................................................................................... 39 Spectrum Management ........................................................................................................ 53 Legal ........................................................................................................................................ 59 Competition ........................................................................................................................... 61 Compliance ............................................................................................................................ 71 Consumer Complaints & Public Awareness ..................................................................... 77 Special Projects ...................................................................................................................... 81 Administration and Human Resources ............................................................................. 93 Finance .................................................................................................................................. 107 Information Technology .................................................................................................... 113 Internal Audit ...................................................................................................................... 115 CHAPTER - 06 ................................................................................................................................. 123 Audited Financial Statement – 2018 CHAPTER - 07 ................................................................................................................................. 153 Report of the Auditor General Annual Report - 2018 | vii LIST OF ACRONYMS APNIC Asia Pacific Network Information Center APT Asia Pacific Telecommunity ARPU Average Revenue Per User ASMS Antenna Structure Management System BOI Bureau of Investment CERT Computer Emergency Readiness Team CID Criminal Investigation Department CSR Corporate Social Responsibility CTO Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization CWG Council Working Group DOA Department of Agriculture DTH Direct To Home FAO Food and Agriculture Organization GCI Global Cyber Security Index GND Grama Niladari Division GMDSS Global Maritime Distress Safety System HFDF High Frequency Direction Finding ICT Information & Communication Technology ICTA Information and Communication
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