Regulation of Afghanistan Internet Providers

The regulation of Afghanistan Internet Providers has decreased in a certain way. In 2001 the Taliban banned Internet because of security reasons and the so-called possible spreading of obscene and offensive materials. In 2002 there were five Afghanistan Internet Providers and in 2006 the number showed 22.

The growth in Afghanistan Internet Providers is a direct result of the relaxing of restrictions by the government and the realisation that developments in the ICT can improve living conditions and increase work opportunities.

In a country with a low level of literary, large numbers of people still impoverished, relaxation on the number and applications of Afghanistan Internet Providers have been welcomed even by the major five players in the industry.

The growth of Afghanistan Internet Providers and the services offered by them have sparked positive economic development and is an example of how communication improvements can be used in the development of a country.

Regulation of Afghanistan Internet Providers is done by the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority, known in short as TRA.  It is responsible for the promotion of healthy competition in the market as well as licensing of Afghanistan Internet Providers.

For a company to provide telecommunication services it must be licensed and only the companies with transit licenses may provide international connection services. There are strict penalties for price fixing and monopoly forming. As such, the pricing offered by the Afghanistan Internet Providers is competitive ensuring more affordability for the average user.

Afghanistan Internet Providers by law protect the privacy of users, but may be forced to open their networks to inspection should there be a suspicion of illegal activities by users which threaten the national security.

Although still strictly regulated, the industry is growing fast and users in the country benefit from the advanced services offered by the leading Afghanistan Internet Providers.