Press Release

The SAMENA Telecommunications Council is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the Industry Advisory Group for Development Issues and Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers’ (IAGDI-CRO) meeting, which took place during the ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-24) in Kampala, Uganda. The meeting, chaired by SAMENA Council CEO Bocar BA, brought together industry leaders, regulators, and key stakeholders to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities in achieving universal connectivity.

Objective and Focus: The session navigated through the complex regulatory and business landscapes shaping the digital era, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to achieve 100% connectivity. Recognizing that over 2.6 billion people worldwide remain unconnected to the internet, the meeting focused on digital infrastructure development, regulation of future technologies, and strategies to foster inclusive, sustainable connectivity.

Key Discussions and Recommendations: Participants underscored the necessity of intensified collaboration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial service providers and regulators to address the coverage gap and adapt regulatory frameworks. Key recommendations included:

• Market Access and Investment: Establishing fair market access conditions, ensuring spectral efficiency, reducing sector-specific fees and taxes, and streamlining licensing regimes to enable predictable and sustainable network investment.
• Rural Connectivity and Digital Inclusion: Highlighting the need for innovative financing models, public sector funding, and the reform of Universal Service Funds (USF) to bridge the digital divide.
• Satellite Direct-to-Device (D2D) Services: Addressing regulatory challenges for satellite D2D services, including spectrum coordination and licensing, to enhance connectivity in underserved areas.
• Regulatory Environment: Creating a predictable and transparent regulatory environment that promotes competition, innovation, and long-term investment in transformative technologies.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Promoting collaboration between public and private sectors to accelerate deployment in underserved areas and implement regulatory “sandboxes” for testing new regulations.
• Support for AI and Emerging Technologies: Emphasizing the need for dedicated institutional capacities for continuous monitoring and guidance on AI, engaging a broad range of stakeholders, and collaborating on global standards.

Commitments and Next Steps: The meeting reaffirmed the private sector's commitment to supporting governments and regulators in achieving common goals. Participants agreed to play a more active role in digital development, promote ITU-D Sector membership, and advance national digital transformation agendas.

Mr. Bocar Ba, CEO of SAMENA Telecommunications Council, expressed his gratitude to the ITU for organizing the event and fostering collaboration between the private sector and regulators. "The insights and recommendations from this meeting are crucial for driving meaningful digital transformation and achieving universal connectivity," said Mr. Ba.

Source: SAMENA Telecommunications Council Press Release