Licensing Barrier for Digital Services

This provision requires government licenses for operating electronic communications services, networks, and even selling communications equipment—extending far beyond traditional telecommunications infrastructure. Unlike OECD democracies where messaging apps, VoIP services, and streaming platforms operate without operational licensing, this provision captures digital startups and OTT services in a licensing regime before they can launch. Equipment retailers and hardware innovators face similar barriers. While subsection (9) allows notification for some services, the criteria remain unclear. Combined with the extensive license conditions in 5 (price regulation, infrastructure sharing, national defense prescriptions), this creates significant market entry barriers that deviate from international norms and restrict innovation.