 PROFILE |
 CORPORATE PROFILE OF ATCI |
With the awareness that telecommunications had become a strategic instrument that contributes enormously to economic growth, the Ivorian government concluded the liberalisation of this sector after adopting the restructuring scheme in 1991.
Law No. 95-526 of 7 July 1995 which is the communications code that allows for a subsequent liberalisation, was therefore adopted. Its objectives include:
- improved coverage of the nation's territory;
- improvement of the quality of service;
- instilling competitiveness in prices;
- the use of appropriate technology;
- development of relevant industries; and
- maintenance of a regional leadership.
The new telecommunications code enabled the seperation of State regulatory functions from that of running of the industry.
Moreover, it defines three judicial systems whithin which the operators could operate, creating two regulatory organs namely: Agence de Telecommunications de Côte d'Ivoire (ATCI) and the Conseil de Telecommunications de Côte d'Ivoire (CTCI).
The last phase of the sector's reforms was the privatisation of CI-TELCOM which took place on 3 February 1997 with 51% shares ceded to France Cables and Radio as well as the signing of a concession agreement between the Ivorian government and the private operators. |
One of the outcomes of this privatisation is the transfer of responsibilities earlier held by CI-TELCOM, now to ATCI.
Indeed, the objectives of the Agence de Telecommunication de Cote d'Ivore (ATCI) are:
- to ensure that the regulatory provisions of the telecommunications law are applied;
- to define procedures and authorize telecommunications rates for services provided under a monopoly;
- to issue telecommunications operating licences;
- to approve telecommunications equipment to be used;
- to manage and control the radio frequencies;
- to carry out the government's defence and public security objectives;
- to carry out on behalf of the State and for public interest, all other objectives of the government with regard to the telecommunications sector;
The ATCI is also charged with the responsibility of managing on behalf of the government, some public buildings such as the Postel 2000.
Initially established as a special category public enterprise, ATCI became transfored into a State company since 4 August 1998, through the enabling Ordinance No. 98-441 which carries an ammendent to Article 51 of the Telecommunications Code. |
