Telecom/ICT policy initiatives

In Sri Lanka

Group Members:

Chanaka Ranasinghe 228505M

 Nation Digital policy Sri lanka - 2020 -2025
Ministry of Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology (MDIIT) & Information and Communication Technology Agency of
Sri Lanka has drafted the National Digital Policy on 07 October 2020

The National Digital Policy outlines Sri Lanka’s digital agenda for 2020 to 2025. The Policy provides the high-level principles and
conceptual framework for Sri Lanka to achieve sustained economic development and growth, through the creation of an
Innovative Economy and an Effective Governance, as depicted below.

Reference: https://www.icta.lk/icta-assets/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Govt-Policy_Ver-4.2_Latest.pdf
Digital Economy

Digital economy is a key pivot for the digital transformation of the country which brings
efficiency. Thus the policy would act as the catalyst that drives Sri Lanka’s digital
economy, which will facilitate industry expansion and increased foreign direct investment
while creating opportunities for start-up innovation and entrepreneurship through
capacity building and tech diffusion and the country’s technology industry would move
steadily towards the goal of becoming a USD 3 billion export earner by 2024

Digital Government

Digital Government solutions will bring together multiple government organizations in

diverse areas such as Agriculture, Manufacturing, National Security, Law and Order, etc.

The implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) and Digital Signatures
are two such initiatives introduced by the Information and Communication Technology
Agency
Reference: of Sri Lanka to drive the country towards a technology-based society.
https://www.icta.lk/icta-assets/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Govt-Policy_Ver-4.2_Latest.pdf
ICTA’s Approach to Digital Government as per the Digital
Government Transformation Road map Approved by the Cabinet

Reference : https://www.icta.lk/icta-assets/uploads/2022/06/Digital-Govt-Policy_Ver-4.2_Latest.pdf
 Digital Sri Lanka - Digital Infrastructure
Building of Digital Infrastructure is the most invested key strategy of ICTA towards creating a knowledge-based society through digitally
empowered citizens

ICTA already has implemented Lanka Government Network (LGN) connecting more than 850 government organizations in the country.
Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) has been implemented provide cost effective, reliable and secure infrastructure facilities

Lanka Government Network version 2.0 (LGN 2.0) backbone will connect all the government organizations of GOSL in a cost-effective and
secure manner to provide centralized Internet, Email and video conferencing services, enabled access to Lanka Government Cloud (LGC)
services from any government organization.Also, it will provide number of government e-services and trusted and secure connectivity to all
government organizations to exchange government data and information.

As the first phase of the project LGN main VPN core and 860 government organization have been connected. That includes 331 Divisional
Secretariats, 25 District Secretariats, 50 Ministries, 87 Departments, 46 Hospitals, 321 Other Government organizations island wide.

The proposed LGN 2.0 initiative offers up to 100 Mbps last mile connectivity for all government location through fiber optic media. Also from
this network ICTA intends to build their Local area network with providing Wi-Fi facilities with enabling cross government dedicated network in
Sri Lanka.

ICTA intends to deliver multiple projects and eServices through this network, such as Lanka Government Cloud 2.0 which is the common
infrastructure platform for government organizations, Video Conferencing facility for government organizations, eLand Hub, eSamurdhi
integrated welfare management program, State Land Information system, Cross-Government Digital Documentation system (DMS), eLocal
Government project, Development of new electronic services, eBMD, eDS, ePopReg, SMART Digital classrooms and eHealth hospital
management system

Reference : https://www.icta.lk/digital-srilanka/
 Digital Economy
ICTA’s Digital Economy Strategy looks to utilize existing programmes and all relevant partners in the ecosystem to
develop and implement an integrated Digital Economy transformation in Sri Lanka that will pave the way for a thriving
and effective digital economy, with higher operational efficiency, lower costs and better services and out­comes for its
citizens.

Reference : https://www.icta.lk/digital-srilanka/
Reference: https://www.icta.lk/icta-assets/uploads/2021/06/01.-Digital-Government-Strategy.pdf
 Policy Toward 5G implementation
5G services are not yet commercially deployed, but all three operators have completed 5G
demonstrations and trials in the past two years.

In June 2019, Dialog Axiata completed trials of 5G technology, using 3500 MHz spectrum
allocated by the regulator for a pre-commercial trial of 5G services and it is reported that it had
converted 20% of its LTE antennas for 5G by the end of 2019.

Mobitel completed trials in June 2019 achieving data speeds of 1.55 Gbps, and activated its
first 5G base station at a retail outlet in March 2020 to demonstrate 5G capabilities to the
public.

The CEO of SLT announced that the operator is preparing to launch a “pre-commercial” 5G
service in mid-2021, ahead of the planned allocation of mobile spectrum.

More recently, Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Hutch), has held its first 5G trial event,
achieving a data transmission speed of 1.8 Gbps.
Reference :https://www.gsma.com/spectrum/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Roadmaps-for-awarding-5G-spectrum-in-the-APAC-region.pdf
 The present Initiatives in Telecom industry

1. TRCSL sees 2023 as year to kick-start 5G

2. Cable Compendium: a guide to the week’s submarine and terrestrial
developments
3. TRCSL identifies 2,000 ‘dark spots’ that need addressing as it updates QoS
and RTT rules
4. TRCSL opens talks with SpaceX over possible Starlink internet service
5. Sri Lanka inches towards making number portability a reality
6. Sri Lanka hikes Telecommunication Levy to 15% as part of wider tax reforms

Reference: https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/search/?words=sri+lanka