Page 10 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY

During GSR-20, the Private Sector IAGDI-CRO Meeting Emphasized on the

Need for Connectivity-focused Regulatory Frameworks, PPP, and the Urgency
with which Universal Digital Access and Services should be Achieved

SAMENA Telecommunications Council, represented by its CEO, Bocar
A. BA, participated in the 20th Global Symposium for Regulators
(GSR20), which took place virtually on 1-3 September 202. Earlier, held
back to back with GSR20, SAMENA Council led the Industry Advisory
Group on Development Issues and the Private Sector Chief Regulatory
Officers (IAGDI-CRO) Meeting on 31 August, under the theme “The
Regulatory Wheel of Change: Regulation for Digital Transformation -
An industry perspective”.

Under the chairmanship of Mr. BA, the IAGDI-CRO Meeting discussed
critical questions and proposed ways to address and adapt to
industry and regulatory challenges, including those stemming from
transformational shifts catalyzed by the world's collective experience
with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Meeting's Outcome Statement was
presented by Chairman BA to the Plenary Session at the closing of
the GSR20 as a proposal by the Industry to the Telecom Regulatory
Authorities from around the world for consideration, and in support of
the Private Sector's collaborative engagement with the governments.

SAMENA Council led the Industry Advisory To enable Universal Digital Access and Services, the
Meeting called for bold, new, and inclusive approaches that
Group on Development Issues and the Private are technology neutral. Further, a need was identified for
Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (IAGDI-CRO) exercising approaches that take a long-term perspective;
Meeting on 31 August. The Meeting's Outcome which are locally rooted yet cross-border in scope and are
driven by stakeholders through commitment, collaboration,
Statement was presented by Chairman Bocar and partnerships. Moreover, such approaches should be non-
BA to the Plenary Session at the closing of prescriptive, provide the right balance between commercial
and increased public sector involvement, and be supported
the GSR20 as a proposal by the Industry to by enabling regulation, and competitive market forces. The
the Telecom Regulatory Authorities from Meeting further stressed that a rethink was required on
current financing and funding approaches and mechanisms,
around the world for consideration, and in as well as existing business models.
support of the Private Sector's collaborative
engagement with the governments. A number of key focus areas were identified by Mr. BA in the
Outcome Statement to help achieve Universal Digital Access
and Services, including:
The IAGDI-CRO Meeting noted that priority should continue to be given • the need for availability of sufficient and flexible spectrum
to ensuring meaningful, secure, affordable and sustainable broadband • the review and repurposing of USF funds and acceleration
connectivity for all. However, as the Covid-19 crisis has become the of USF disbursement to address gaps in connectivity
“new normal”, the Meeting underlined the increased urgency with and maintain and expand networks to ensure better
which Universal Digital Access and Services need to be realized. preparedness and network resilience
In this regard, the Meeting stressed the need for a better enabling • the review of industry fees and taxation, promotion
environment, including Regulatory Frameworks that specifically of infrastructure sharing, and harmonization and
enable connectivity and increased public-sector participation in non- standardization to enable secure and safe cross-border
economical areas. To adapt to the “new normal”, better preparedness data movement
and network resilience as well as an increased focus on connectivity • and, the need for good governance and agility in regulatory
and infrastructure investment were highlighted as key. measures to address issues emerging from the use of
digital technologies

10 AUGUST 2020