Page 7 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

SAMENA COUNCIL ADVOCACY SAMENA TRENDS

emphasized the importance of combining satellite and terrestrial The meeting, chaired by the CEO of the
infrastructure, streamlining permits and rights-of-way, and
accelerating infrastructure sharing to achieve universal and SAMENA Telecommunications Council
meaningful connectivity—especially for rural and underserved in his capacity as Chairman of IAGDI/
areas. The need to consider not just population, but also geographic
coverage and connected devices serving critical sectors like CRO, brought together private sector
agriculture and public safety, was underlined. The meeting also leaders to discuss and recommend
addressed the persistent "usage gap" in digital access. Industry
representatives stressed that connectivity alone is not enough— practical actions to address the most
digital inclusion requires affordable devices, relevant content and pressing development and regulatory
services, digital skills development, online safety measures, and
enabling infrastructure such as electricity and identity systems. challenges facing the global digital
Co-designing these efforts with local communities was highlighted economy.
as essential to ensure relevance and effectiveness. In terms of
investment and innovation, the group called for clear and predictable
multi-year regulatory and spectrum roadmaps, rationalized tax AI applications. The IAGDI-CRO Meeting presented six priority
policies, and supportive rules for infrastructure sharing and, where recommendations to regulators and development stakeholders.
appropriate, market consolidation. The importance of phasing out
legacy networks with minimal disruption to consumers was also Participants at the CRO/IAGDI session, which included
noted. To support long-term investment, participants encouraged representives from the SAMENA Council membership, including
the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs), blended finance, stc, Mobily, Nokia, among others, emphasized practical actions to
and infrastructure funds, along with commercial frameworks advance universal and meaningful connectivity. They called for
involving major beneficiaries of digital infrastructure. The group combining mobile and satellite technology, to ensure coverage
also strongly advocated for agile, interoperable, and outcome- reaches not only people but also underserved geographic areas. To
based regulation, including regulatory sandboxes, time-bound speed up deployment and reduce costs, they urged streamlining
reviews, and collaborative approaches to address issues such as authorizations and rights-of-way, promoting infrastructure sharing,
privacy, cybersecurity, online harms, and the growing risks posed and prioritizing connections to public institutions. Bridging the
by artificial intelligence. Support was expressed for exploring usage gap was another key area pressed upon, with support for
independent AI testing and voluntary certification for high-risk affordable devices, digital skills, locally relevant services, online
safety, and access to essentials like electricity and ID systems.
Participants emphasized the importance Participants also highlighted the importance of clear, multi-year

of combining satellite and terrestrial spectrum plans, greater harmonization across markets, and close
collaboration on future network development. To encourage
infrastructure, streamlining permits ongoing investment, they advocated for predictable and fair
and rights-of-way, and accelerating spectrum renewals, tax reforms, infrastructure sharing, and
support for device affordability and inclusion programs. Finally, the
infrastructure sharing to achieve session underscored the need for agile, interoperable regulation
universal and meaningful connectivity— that fosters innovation, protects users, and builds public trust—
alongside stronger governance for artificial intelligence, including
especially for rural and underserved independent testing and voluntary certification for higher-risk AI
areas. systems. These priorities are reflected in the IAGDI-CRO Outcome
Statement adopted at GSR-25.

7 AUG-SEP 2025