TUNISIA
Since January 2001, as amended in April 2013
Since January 2014
Since January 2014
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Maximum foreign equity share for investment in the telecommunication sector
Law No. 1 of 2001 dated 15 January 2001 Concerning The Issuance of the Telecommunications Code (Loi No. 2001-1 du 15 janvier 2001 portant promulgation du code des télécommunications)
Decree No. 2014-412 of 16 January 2014, setting the conditions and procedures for granting authorisation to operate a virtual telecommunications network (Décret No. 2014-412 du 16 janvier 2014, fixant les conditions et les procédures d'octroi de l'autorisation pour l'exercice de l'activité d'opérateur d'un réseau virtuel des télécommunications)
Decree No. 2014-412 of 16 January 2014, setting the conditions and procedures for granting authorisation to operate a virtual telecommunications network (Décret No. 2014-412 du 16 janvier 2014, fixant les conditions et les procédures d'octroi de l'autorisation pour l'exercice de l'activité d'opérateur d'un réseau virtuel des télécommunications)
Art. 31 ter of Law No. 1 of 2001 stipulates that operating a virtual telecommunications network requires prior authorisation from the Minister responsible for telecommunications, following consultation with the Instance Nationale des Télécommunications (INT). Decree No. 2014-412 outlines the conditions and procedures for obtaining this authorisation, with Art. 5 specifying that any legal entity applying for a licence must ensure majority ownership by Tunisian shareholders. Under Law No. 1 of 2001, a virtual telecommunications network operator is defined as a legal entity authorised to provide telecommunications services using a network and radio frequencies it does not own.
Coverage Virtual telecommunications network operators
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240813170627/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/public.ldit.dcaf/lois/Loi%20n%C2%B0%202001-1%20du%2015%20Janvier%202001%20(Fr).pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20211130235044/http://www.intt.tn/upload/txts/fr/d%C3%A9cret_n_412_du_16_janvier_2014-op%C3%A9rateur_virtuel.pdf
TUNISIA
N/A
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Sub-pillar Safe harbour for intermediaries for copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place for copyright infringements
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability for copyright infringement is absent in Tunisia's law and jurisprudence.
Coverage Internet intermediaries
TUNISIA
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Presence of shares owned by the government in telecom companies
Presence of shares owned by the government in telecom companies
The government owns shares in certain telecom companies. In particular, the Tunisian State owns 65% of Tunisie Telecom's capital, and since 2011, it has owned 10% of the shares of Ooredoo Tunisia and 51% of the shares of Orange Tunisia.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
TUNISIA
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Functional/accounting separation for operators with significant market power
Requirement of accounting and functional separation for dominant network operators
It is reported that Tunisia mandates functional and accounting separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market. According to Art. 26-bis of Law No. 1-2001 promulgating the Telecommunications Code, operators of public telecommunications networks and access networks undertake to keep analytical accounts distinguishing between each network and each service and to refrain from any anti-competitive practices, in particular cross-subsidisation.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220925053333/https://tunisia.mom-gmr.org/fileadmin/Editorial/Tunesia/Laws/code_des_telecommunications.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240812184440/https://www.mtc.gov.tn/fileadmin//texte_juridiques/D2001-0831.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240813170627/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/public.ldit.dcaf/lois/Loi%20n%C2%B0%202001-1%20du%2015%20Janvier%202001%20(Fr).pdf
- https://datahub.itu.int/data/?e=TUN&i=100047
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TUNISIA
Since January 2001, last amended in April 2013
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Other restrictions to operate in the telecom market
Law No. 1 of 2001 dated 15 January 2001 Concerning The Issuance of the Telecommunications Code (Loi No. 2001-1 du 15 janvier 2001 portant promulgation du code des télécommunications)
Art. 5 of Law No. 1 of 2001 states that the provision of telecommunication services is subject to prior authorisation by the Minister responsible for Telecommunications. Subject to the provisions of Art. 5 of the Code, Art. 8 establishes that the provider of telecommunications services must meet the following conditions:
- for natural persons, they must be of Tunisian nationality;
- in the case of a legal entity, it must be incorporated in accordance with Tunisian law.
A telecommunications service is defined as any service that provides telecommunications between two or more users.
- for natural persons, they must be of Tunisian nationality;
- in the case of a legal entity, it must be incorporated in accordance with Tunisian law.
A telecommunications service is defined as any service that provides telecommunications between two or more users.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
TUNISIA
Since January 2001, as amended in April 2013
Since January 2014
Since January 2014
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Other restrictions to operate in the telecom market
Law No. 1 of 2001 dated 15 January 2001 Concerning The Issuance of the Telecommunications Code (Loi No. 2001-1 du 15 janvier 2001 portant promulgation du code des télécommunications)
Decree No. 2014-412 of 16 January 2014, setting the conditions and procedures for granting authorisation to operate a virtual telecommunications network (Décret No. 2014-412 du 16 janvier 2014, fixant les conditions et les procédures d'octroi de l'autorisation pour l'exercice de l'activité d'opérateur d'un réseau virtuel des télécommunications)
Decree No. 2014-412 of 16 January 2014, setting the conditions and procedures for granting authorisation to operate a virtual telecommunications network (Décret No. 2014-412 du 16 janvier 2014, fixant les conditions et les procédures d'octroi de l'autorisation pour l'exercice de l'activité d'opérateur d'un réseau virtuel des télécommunications)
Art. 31 ter of Law No. 1 of 2001 requires prior authorisation from the Minister responsible for telecommunications to operate a virtual telecommunications network. This authorisation is granted after consultation with the Instance Nationale des Télécommunications (INT). The conditions and procedures for obtaining the authorisation are detailed in Decree No. 2014-412.
Art. 5 of the Decree specifies the following requirements:
- The legal representative of the applicant must be a Tunisian citizen and hold either a higher education degree, an equivalent qualification, or certified training at the same level in information technology, telecommunications, or multimedia.
- The applicant must be a legal entity established under Tunisian law with a minimum share capital of TND 150,000 (approx. USD 48,500), which must be owned nominally and primarily by Tunisian nationals.
Art. 5 of the Decree specifies the following requirements:
- The legal representative of the applicant must be a Tunisian citizen and hold either a higher education degree, an equivalent qualification, or certified training at the same level in information technology, telecommunications, or multimedia.
- The applicant must be a legal entity established under Tunisian law with a minimum share capital of TND 150,000 (approx. USD 48,500), which must be owned nominally and primarily by Tunisian nationals.
Coverage Virtual telecommunications network operators
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240813170627/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/public.ldit.dcaf/lois/Loi%20n%C2%B0%202001-1%20du%2015%20Janvier%202001%20(Fr).pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20211130235044/http://www.intt.tn/upload/txts/fr/d%C3%A9cret_n_412_du_16_janvier_2014-op%C3%A9rateur_virtuel.pdf
TUNISIA
Since December 2014
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Other restrictions to operate in the telecom market
Decree No. 4773-2014 fixing the conditions and procedures for allocating authorisations for ISP activities (Décret No. 2014-4773 du 26 décembre 2014, fixant les conditions et les procédures d'octroi d'autorisation pour l'activité de fournisseur de services internet)
According to Art. 2 of Decree No. 4773-2014, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must be authorised by the Minister responsible for telecommunications after consultation with the Minister of the Interior and the National Telecommunications Authority. Art. 3 stipulates that any person wishing to be authorised as an ISP must meet the following conditions:
- In the case of a natural person, be of Tunisian nationality and hold a university degree or equivalent;
- In the case of a legal person, be constituted in accordance with Tunisian law, with a share capital of at least TND 1,000,000 (approx. USD 322,000) held in name and by a majority of Tunisian nationals.
Art. 4 adds that granting of the ISP authorisation is subject to the payment of a fee of TND 150,000 (approx. USD 48,500), payable on the date of granting the authorisation.
- In the case of a natural person, be of Tunisian nationality and hold a university degree or equivalent;
- In the case of a legal person, be constituted in accordance with Tunisian law, with a share capital of at least TND 1,000,000 (approx. USD 322,000) held in name and by a majority of Tunisian nationals.
Art. 4 adds that granting of the ISP authorisation is subject to the payment of a fee of TND 150,000 (approx. USD 48,500), payable on the date of granting the authorisation.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
TUNISIA
Since April 1997
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Signature of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper
WTO Telecom Reference Paper
Tunisia has appended the World Trade Organization (WTO) Telecom Reference Paper to its schedule of Commitments annexed to the Fourth Protocol on Basic Telecommunications.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
TUNISIA
Since January 2001, as amended in May 2002, last amended in April 2013
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Sub-pillar Presence of an independent telecom authority
Law No. 1 of 2001 dated 15 January 2001 Concerning The Issuance of the Telecommunications Code (Loi No. 2001-1 du 15 janvier 2001 portant promulgation du code des télécommunications)
It is reported that the Instance Nationale des Télécommunications (INT, National Telecommunications Authority), the executive authority for the supervision and administration of services in the telecommunications sector, is independent from the government in the decision-making process. Art. 63 (bis) of Law No. 01-2001 provides that the INT shall have legal personality and financial autonomy.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://datahub.itu.int/data/?i=100088&s=3109&e=TUN
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240813170627/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/public.ldit.dcaf/lois/Loi%20n%C2%B0%202001-1%20du%2015%20Janvier%202001%20(Fr).pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220121104647/http://www.intt.tn/upload/txts/fr/loi2001_1.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240304053847/https://globaledge.msu.edu/global-resources/resource/10434
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TUNISIA
Since July 2004
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Sub-pillar Ban to transfer and local processing requirement
Organic Act No. 2004-63 of 27 July 2004 on the Protection of Personal Data (Loi organique No. 2004-63 du 27 juillet 2004, portant sur la protection des données à caractère personnel)
Pursuant to Organic Act No. 2004-63, the transfer of personal data is generally prohibited or subject to strict measures. According to Art. 52, prior authorisation from the Tunisian Data Protection Authority (Instance Nationale de Protection des Données à caractère Personnel, INPDP) is required in all circumstances. In addition, according to Art. 50, it is forbidden to transfer personal data to a foreign country that is likely to harm the public security or vital interests of Tunisia. Lastly, according to Art. 51, the transfer of personal data is not permitted in countries which do not provide an adequate level of data protection. It should be noted that Art. 22 provides that the natural person or the legal representative of the legal entity wishing to carry out the processing of personal data and their agents must meet the following conditions: be of Tunisian nationality; be a resident of Tunisia; and have no criminal record. These conditions also apply to the subcontractor and its agents.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240213161224/https://www.ins.tn/sites/default/files/2020-04/Loi%2063-2004%20Fr.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210109112444/http://www.inpdp.nat.tn/ressources/loi_2004.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230314223945/http://www.lssa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Data-Protection-Privacy-Guide-Africa.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231208032908/https://www.dataguidance.com/comparisons/data-transfers
- Show more...
TUNISIA
Since January 2022
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Sub-pillar Ban to transfer and local processing requirement
Decree-Law No. 2-2022, Organizing the Activity of Credit Information (Décret-loi No. 2022-2 du 4 janvier 2022, portant organisation de l’activité du renseignement de crédit)
According to Art. 21 of the Decree-Law No. 2-2022, it is forbidden for companies organising the activity of credit information to transfer their databases outside Tunisia and to host the data in the cloud.
Coverage Financial sector
TUNISIA
Reported in 2017, last reported in 2023
Pillar Cross-border data policies |
Sub-pillar Ban to transfer and local processing requirement
Ban on the transfer of personal data
It is reported that the Ministry of Communication Technologies prohibits public companies and institutions from freely transmitting and storing personal data outside of the country.
Coverage Public sector
TUNISIA
Since March 2014
Since October 2022
Since October 2022
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Decree No. 1039-2014 on public procurement (Décret No. 2014-1039 portant réglementation des marchés publics)
Decree-Law No. 68-2022 enacting special provisions for improving the efficiency of carrying out public and private projects
Decree-Law No. 68-2022 enacting special provisions for improving the efficiency of carrying out public and private projects
Decree No. 1039-2014 promotes the participation of national companies alongside foreign bidders in international public procurement. Specifically:
- Art. 22 stipulates that procurement specifications encourage foreign bidders to involve local companies in executing the maximum number of orders, products, equipment, or services, wherever local industry and companies can fulfil a portion of the contract's requirements.
- Art. 23 encourages foreign consulting firms to collaborate with one or more Tunisian consulting firms or experts.
- Art. 24 provides incentives within the procurement specifications for foreign companies specialising in the industrial sector and in developing computer content and software to partner with specialised Tunisian companies, selected based on predefined criteria.
Additionally, Art. 10 of Decree No. 68-2022 requires foreign bidders to engage local companies for at least 20% of the total value of orders or the provision of goods, equipment, and services for these projects.
- Art. 22 stipulates that procurement specifications encourage foreign bidders to involve local companies in executing the maximum number of orders, products, equipment, or services, wherever local industry and companies can fulfil a portion of the contract's requirements.
- Art. 23 encourages foreign consulting firms to collaborate with one or more Tunisian consulting firms or experts.
- Art. 24 provides incentives within the procurement specifications for foreign companies specialising in the industrial sector and in developing computer content and software to partner with specialised Tunisian companies, selected based on predefined criteria.
Additionally, Art. 10 of Decree No. 68-2022 requires foreign bidders to engage local companies for at least 20% of the total value of orders or the provision of goods, equipment, and services for these projects.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231211131354/http://www.marchespublics.gov.tn/onmp/documents/document.php?id=456&lang=fr
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230204151647/https://www.energiemines.gov.tn/fileadmin/docs-u1/D%C3%A9cret-loi2022_68.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231128234345/https://igppp.tn/sites/default/files/D%C3%A9cret-loi2022_68.pdf
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TUNISIA
Since March 2023
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Sub-pillar Adoption of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Tunisia has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
TUNISIA
Since March 2014
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Sub-pillar Other limitations on foreign participation in public procurement
Decree No. 1039-2014 on public procurement (Décret No. 2014-1039 portant réglementation des marchés publics)
Art. 20 of Decree No. 1039-2014 on public procurement stipulates that up to 20% of the estimated amount of work, goods, services and studies contracted in public tenders shall be awarded to small businesses. Art. 169 further states that if it is impossible to reserve these contracts within the limit of the aforementioned percentage, the public purchaser must indicate the reasons in a report transmitted to the relevant Contracts Control Commission, which expresses its opinion on the reasons mentioned.
Coverage Horizontal