Post by soyeb45 on Jun 10, 2024 4:03:49 GMT
As Afghanistan's telecommunications sector has rapidly evolved over the past two decades, the government has implemented a range of regulations and policies governing international calls originating from Afghan phone numbers. These measures aim to strike a balance between facilitating global connectivity, ensuring national security, and protecting consumer rights.
Licensing and Operator Regulations:
At the core of the regulatory framework are the licensing requirements for telecommunications service providers operating in Afghanistan. All companies offering international CRB Directory call services, whether fixed-line or mobile, must obtain a license from the Afghan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA).
These licenses stipulate various obligations and restrictions around international call termination, including mandated interconnection agreements with foreign network operators, revenue-sharing models, and quality of service standards. Providers are required to maintain detailed records of international call traffic and comply with lawful intercept requests from government agencies.
Researchers have noted that ATRA's licensing regime has sought to consolidate the international call market, limiting the number of operators to ensure better monitoring and control. This has resulted in a highly concentrated landscape, with a few dominant players accounting for the majority of outbound international traffic from Afghan phone numbers.
Tariff and Pricing Regulations:
In addition to licensing requirements, the Afghan government has implemented various tariff and pricing regulations governing international calls from local phone numbers. ATRA maintains strict oversight on the maximum retail rates that can be charged by service providers for international voice and data services.
