Government is advertising for three commissioners for the newly established Board of Commissioners of the Regulatory Authority, which will oversee the long-awaited overhaul of the telecoms industry.The commissioners are part-time, paid positions. A full-time CEO, who is expected to be announced soon, will report to them.The Regulatory Authority Act 2011 “Commencement Day Notice” is a significant step towards telecoms reform, officially starting the clock towards the day when providers will finally be able to offer bundled services under one monthly bill such as phone, internet, TV and wireless.A notice in the Official Gazette says: “The Board of Commissioners will consist of three Commissioners who will each be voting members, and one of whom will serve as Chair. The initial Commissioners will be appointed as follows, one for a term of two years; one for a term of three years; and one for a term of four years.“The Board of Commissioners will initially be responsible for regulating the electronic communications industry sector, other than broadcasting.”The notice continues: “The principal functions and general powers of the Regulatory Authority are found in sections 12 and 13 of the RAA and include, but are not limited to:i. Establishing technical standards for the provision of covered services.ii. Reviewing and, as appropriate, approve, reject or modify tariffs filed by a sectoral provider governing the provision of covered services.iii. Establishing and enforce quality of service standards applicable to covered services.iv. Defining relevant markets, assess the competitiveness of relevant markets and identify sectoral providers that have significant market power in such markets.v. Adopting remedies to deter anti-competitive conduct by sectoral providers in any relevant market.vi. Modifying or find to be void, agreements involving one or more sectoral providers that unreasonably restrict competition in any relevant market.vii. Reviewing and, as appropriate, approve or reject proposed concentrations involving a specified sectoral provider.viii. Prohibiting unfair trade practices by sectoral providers in any relevant market.The notice invites persons who seek to be considered for the position of Commissioner of the RA to apply by August 9.“Commissioners should demonstrate that they have at least five years’ relevant experience in administration, economics, law, and/or telecommunications,” the notice said.The notice in the Official Gazette further states that “sections 11 to 14, sections 19 to 25, sections 28 to 30, section 31(1), (2), (3) and (4), section 32, Part 4, Part 11, Part 12 and the Schedule of the Regulatory Authority Act 2011 shall come into operation on 11 July 2012.”A Telecoms spokesperson said: “The Gazetting of the commencement of certain sections of the RA and the call for nominations for Commissioners is a part of the process of setting up the Regulatory Authority. It is not yet operational.”The long-awaited passage of the Electronics Communications Act and the Regulatory Authority Act in November 2011 paved the way for the planned telecoms overhaul.In May Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Marc Bean announced the first Integrated Communications Operating Licences (ICOLs) will be issued no later than March 31, 2013.Mr Bean said: “As the Ministry fully engages and mobilises the technical and professional expertise in the coming months, we shall be working diligently to deliver in advance of this critical date. In this regard, I shall provide an update at the beginning of October this year. However, there is much to be done between now and then and the support of the industry will be pivotal to our ability to hit this target.”