5.4 Policy intervention 5.4.1 Telecommunications 5.4.1.1 Telecommunications Masterplan (Annex 21) The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) published a draft Telecommunications Masterplan for the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in July 2015. LIRNEasia and MIDO jointly submitted th recommendations for the Myanmar Telecommunications Masterplan on 7 August 2015. Recommendations were made on a range of topics including the language to be used for the drafting of the policy, the lack of clarity on the design of universal service funds and the lack of adequate consideration made to the execution of policy mechanisms. Furthermore, Htaike Htaike Aung of MIDO traveled to Nay Pyi Taw and provided comments on the Masterplan. 5.4.1.2 International Gateway Facility Services (Annex 22) A draft version of the Guidelines on Provision of International Gateway Facility Services was published by the MCIT in October 2015. LIRNEasia and MIDO, submitted a written response with suggestions for improvements to the guidelines while commending the efforts of the MCIT to liberalize the telecommunications services market. Recommendations included allowing the creation of multiple gateways based on multiple media, removal of differential domestic and international termination pricing and giving necessary consideration to data communication. 5.4.1.3 Allocation of Spectrum Frequency (Annex 23) The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) published a consultation paper titled 'Spectrum Roadmap: Meet the need over the next 5 years' on 1st February 2016. Rohan Samarajiva and Moinul Zaber responded to the consultation paper submitting a response that placed emphasis on principles important to ensure the efficient use of the spectrum asset. They addressed the questions of 1. Neutrality of Band and Technology 2. Opportunity to refarm and repurpose already acquired bands 3. Embedding all auctions and assignments within a pre-announced and credibly implemented road map for making spectrum resources available to operators 4. Use of carefully designed and well timed auctions as allocation method 5. Formulating a licensing regime that clearly set out conditions for entry to and exit from the market 6. Use of new methods such as harnessing Big Data to formulate plans against harmful interference. 5.4.1.4 Design of regulatory agency and a policy unit within the Ministry (Annex 24) Htaike Htaike Aung of MIDO, under the guidance of Rohan Samarajiva, provided recommendations on the design of the regulatory agency, the Myanmar Telecommunications Commission as provided for by the Telecom Law. Further recommendations included the establishment of a policy unit within the Ministry.