Page 8 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES 2023
Regulatory and economic incentives for an
inclusive sustainable digital future

Stakeholders during the GSR-23 collectively contributed, identified, and endorsed regulatory best practice guidelines to continue moving toward an
inclusive and sustainable digital future. Recalling the series of GSR Best Practice Guidelines since 2003 that capture established regulatory principles
for a competitive, safe and inclusive enabling environment, our focus here is on novel, innovative, ground-breaking evidence-based approaches and
tools to support a meaningful and sustainable digital future for all people everywhere.
Incentives towards achieving meaningful connectivity
Digital technologies have connected people and businesses across different countries, creating new opportunities and driving inclusive and
sustainable growth. However, the digital divide remains a significant challenge, especially in rural, unserved and underserved areas everywhere.

• Market access: Policy makers and regulators are encouraged to ensure a competitive environment in all layers of the digital ecosystem by providing
incentives for incumbents, new entrants, and startups that bring new solutions and technologies to the market to meet national connectivity goals.
This could include establishing safe spaces for experimentation and innovation such as sandboxes and testbeds. • Universal access and service:
Policy makers and regulators could consider incentives for network deployment in rural, unserved and underserved areas that may include subsidies,
grants, low-interest loans, loan guarantees, reducing regulatory fees, introducing fee exemptions (e.g., customs waivers on import duties) or giving
tax breaks for investors or tax holidays for market players after reaching certain investment thresholds in these areas. • Universal service funding:
Policy makers and regulators can employ Universal Service financing mechanisms to address the needs of rural, unserved and underserved areas
and populations in vulnerable situations. • Balancing fiscal policies: Policy makers and regulators could consider broadening the base of contributors
taking into consideration the characteristics of markets and new developments. • Innovative regulatory last mile connectivity solutions: Policy
makers and regulators are encouraged to consider facilitating last mile solutions to connect the unconnected, through means such as municipal,
community and mesh networks and social enterprises, as well as spectrum and infrastructure sharing and co-investment to extend networks and
services to unserved and underserved areas. • Research & development (R&D): Policy makers and regulators may consider providing financial or
fiscal incentives to support research and development in emerging digital technologies, open technology innovation and innovative business models
according to the priorities of the population. • Spectrum reform: Policy makers and regulators could take steps to make sufficient spectrum available
to support rapid deployment of next generation services, innovation and investment in terrestrial and satellite infrastructure and spectrum-based
services. Unlicensed spectrum use, spectrum refarming and redeployment, could be part of the regulatory tools employed to facilitate deployment
in rural, unserved and underserved areas. Green digital transformation: Policy makers and regulators could consider eco-friendly financial and
regulatory incentives such as tax reductions or holidays for companies that adopt sustainable business practices, such as using renewable energy
sources in network operation and deployment.

8 MAY-JUNE 2023