Page 6 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY

SAMENA Telecommunications Council at MWC22 Highlights Importance of
Key Recommendations and Outcomes of the UN Broadband Commission’s
WG on 21st Century Financing Models to Close the Connectivity Gap

SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s CEO Bocar BA, as chair recommendations: (1) broadening the base of contributors, (2)
of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development's earmarking proceeds from ICT sector participants, (3) reforming
Working Group on 21st Financing, Funding and Investment Models universal service and access funds and, (4) the creation of an
moderated a session on “Financing the Digital Transformation” international fund. BA stressed “that the work of the BBCom’s
during GSMA’s MWC22 Ministerial Programme. The session WG on 21st Century Financing Models and recommendations act
focused on three themes: (1) additional sources of financing, as a foundation for driving connectivity and focus on a growing
collaboration and shared investment, (2) pro-investment policies narrative around connectivity – one that emphasizes the shared
for connectivity expansion and (3) synergies and collaboration benefits we all enjoy, our collective responsibility, the commitment
between telco operators and other beneficiaries of the digital required, the reforms we must carry out, and the opportunity to
ecosystem. It included speakers from the OECD, Mr. Ulrik enable global connectivity for all.”
Vestergaard Knudsen, Deputy Secretary General of the OECD, Her
Excellency Ms. Vianna Maino, Minister of Telecommunications ... BA praised the efforts made by the BBCom
and Information Society of Ecuador, Mr. Sunil Mittal, Founder
and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, as well as key leading industry WG members and fellow Commissioners to
representatives Mr. Denis O’Brian, Chairman Digicel, Mr. Lacina put together a groundbreaking report that
Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, and Dr. Alicia Abella, Managing Director
of Telecom, Media and Industry Solutions, Google. embraces the changed market realities of
the 21st century and which has created
In his introductory remarks, BA praised the efforts made by a foundation for catalyzing investment,
the BBCom WG members and fellow Commissioners to put
together a groundbreaking report that embraces the changed collaboration, and paved a way forward for
market realities of the 21st century and which has created a innovative partnerships, essential for future
foundation for catalyzing investment, collaboration, and paved
a way forward for innovative partnerships, essential for future broadband development and usage...
broadband development and usage based on four strategic

6 FEBRUARY 2022