Fiber-optic networks will continue to prove their usefulness and reliability for increasingly sophisticated technologies in the communications space. Data integrity, reliable long-distance transmission, and higher bandwidths are the hallmarks of fiber networks. Having played played a vital role in making possible the remarkable growth in global communications over the last 25 years, Fiber will again be instrumental in delivering innovation in many sectors that now increasingly rely on ICTs and collaborate with telecom operators, supporting new technologies such as ultra-fast broadband and 5G, IoT, among other smart-city technologies, over the next decade. Fiber will make Ultra-fast broadband and 5G, IoT and advanced smart technologies possible, and will be necessary for achieving the Digital Inclusion and Global Digital Connectivity imperatives. Many countries are in need of fostering Fiber deployment, and thus need to take the necessary policy and regulatory steps, so to set incentives for investing in Fiber. Public-Private partnerships and new funding techniques may be necessary to accelerate Fiber and other ICT infrastructure development. This SAMENA Accelerator policy roundtable on Fiber aims to address Fiber deployment needs of the SA-ME-NA region by answering key questions from five perspectives, to corroborate the urgency with which Fiber deployment should be expedited in the SA-ME-NA region.

Key Focus Areas and Questions:

• What are the region’s major Right of Way (ROW) issues, and how can these be overcome to accelerate fiber deployment, including in buildings?
• What are the most practical fiber deployment strategies, including under-ground and aerial deployment? What technologies can help mitigate challenges in each deployment scenario?
• How can time and cost to deploy fiber be reduced with intra- and inter-industry sharing of infrastructure? What new models of infrastructure development and sharing are in practice?
• Important decisions made in the design and deployment can make fiber a true asset of lasting value. How can fiber be promoted as a future-proof asset and what are the major return on investment (ROI) concerns for the fiber investor?
• Strong demand for fiber exists from wireless densification for 5G, improved broadband access and new business connectivity services, with each being a strong reason for governments to incentivize fiber. What incentives can regional policymakers and regulators can provide on both short- and long-term basis to expedite fiber deployment in the region? What PPP methods, taxation relief or licensing policies could work best for the region?

Moderator

Speakers