Intelligent & Sustainable Transformation of Digital Economies

Closed-door World Broadband Association Led Discussion.

Roundtable Description:

The WBBA Roundtable, with the objective to discuss “Smarter Broadband” through Investment, Innovation, and Intelligence, will bring together leading industry players to explore how strategic investment, cutting-edge innovation, and intelligent solutions can revolutionize broadband access across the South Asia - Middle East - North Africa (SA-ME-NA) regions. This discussion will focus on the evolving role of broadband in driving economic growth, fostering digital inclusion, and ensuring sustainable technological development. Participants will delve into how collaboration between telecommunications operators, service providers, and technology experts can accelerate broadband deployment, enhance policy frameworks, and address key challenges such as standardization, regulatory harmonization, and capacity building. By examining the integration of emerging technologies and fostering innovation, the roundtable will highlight the importance of smarter broadband networks that go beyond just connectivity, exploring their potential as catalysts for digital transformation and socio-economic development. Additionally, the conversation will emphasize the need for collective action to support knowledge sharing, advocacy, and awareness creation, ultimately aiming to empower communities through smarter, more accessible broadband solutions.

The roundtable will delve into the following areas of discussion:

1. What are the biggest obstacles to broadband adoption in SA-ME-NA, and how can operators and governments work together to address them?

2. How can investment in broadband help boost digital inclusion and economic growth in underserved areas of SA-ME-NA?

3. How can emerging technologies improve broadband networks and create smarter solutions?

4. What steps can be taken to align policies and regulations across the SA-ME-NA region to make broadband deployment more efficient?

5. How can Telecom Operators ensure broadband growth is both fast and environmentally sustainable?

6. How can industry players share knowledge and collaborate to create better broadband solutions for businesses and consumers in SA-ME-NA?

Intelligent Network Automation Transformation and Operators’ Digital Portfolio Expansion

As global market conditions become more complex and uncertainty intensifies, the telecom industry is reimagining its role through the Techco transformation journey—from utility service providers to digital experience enablers. This forum will explore how the convergence of AI, cloud, and intelligent networks is enabling operators to shift from infrastructure providers to digital solution orchestrators. While not all operators may follow the same path, the session will highlight adaptable strategies for network intelligence, service diversification, and enterprise value creation. Becoming a Techco is not just about strategy but may be a matter of necessity for telecom operators to stay at the center of it all, competitive, and influential in a landscape where value is increasingly derived from software, data, and ecosystem integration. By leading in areas such as real-time edge computing, AI-enabled service platforms, and industry-specific digital solutions, telcos can go beyond connectivity to shape new markets, drive national digital agendas, and act as trusted partners in both consumer and enterprise domains. Participants will examine how Techco models can support economic resilience, sovereign technology capabilities, and sustainable innovation in a fragmented global environment.

This discussion segment will focus on:

1. How can telecom operators effectively transition from traditional infrastructure providers to digital experience enablers, and what role does AI, cloud, and intelligent networks play in this shift?

2. What are the key strategies for telcos to diversify their service offerings and drive enterprise value in the evolving digital landscape?

3. How can the Techco model help telecom operators maintain competitive advantage and relevance in an increasingly fragmented global market?

4. In what ways can telecom operators leverage network intelligence and edge computing to create new revenue streams and meet the growing demand for real-time services?

5. How can telecom operators lead the development of sovereign technology capabilities and support national digital transformation goals?

6. What challenges do telcos face when adopting the Techco model, and how can they overcome these barriers to unlock sustainable innovation?

South Africa – Led G20 Preparatory Discussions (SAMENA Council Co-organized “Meeting #1”)

The G20 Inter-Ministerial Leaders’ Roundtable during the Leaders’ Summit 2025 presents an opportunity for South Africa to play a leading role in global ICT policy discussions at a critical moment—during the rise of 5G-Advanced and as the UN Connect 2030 Agenda approaches its deadline. This Roundtable aims to align with South Africa’s G20 Presidency priorities, strengthen its influence on the global digital agenda, and ensure Africa’s needs are represented, particularly with Smart Africa’s involvement.

The primary objective of the G20 preparatory meeting is to foster dialogue among the government and private sectors of the G20 countries and the non-G20 countries, to help exchange insights and ideas for the G20 summit taking place later in the year. The Roundtable will serve as a preparatory session for G20 discussions, focusing on key issues such as digital transformation, 5G advancements, broadband infrastructure, digital inclusion, affordable broadband, cybersecurity, and more. By hosting the Roundtable, South Africa will elevate its priorities within the global conversation, helping shape a more inclusive and digitally empowered world.

Som key questions to help steer the discussion include:

1. What would a truly inclusive, future-ready global digital economy look like, and how can G20 action today lay the groundwork for that vision?

2. How can the G20, under South Africa’s Presidency, set a collaborative agenda to accelerate digital inclusion and bridge the global digital divide, particularly in the Global South?

3. What policy frameworks should be prioritized to ensure equitable rollout and adoption of 5G-Advanced technologies across G20 member and partner countries?

4. What role can the G20 play in advancing public-private partnerships to scale affordable digital infrastructure, particularly broadband, in underserved regions?

5. How can the G20 and DCO collectively support the development of digital skills ecosystems to future-proof workforces in emerging markets?

Roundtable: TBD with TDRA, MBRSC, Regulators, SAT Operators

Roundtable Description:

The roundtable on Space Development, Space Diplomacy, WRC-27, Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) will bring together key stakeholders, including governments, regulators, satellite operators, and industry leaders, to align priorities ahead of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27) and related global Space policy decisions. The aim is to foster early, collaborative dialogue to ensure that the interests of developing countries are represented, while reducing the risk of fragmentation in international space policy. The Roundtable is structured in two segments: 1. Space Segment, 2. WRC-27 Segment.

As space-based connectivity and NTNs become foundational components of the future digital infrastructure, this Roundtable addresses the urgent need for policy coherence, spectrum harmonization, and international cooperation. The discussion will cover key issues such as orbital coordination, sustainability of space, spectrum harmonization, regulatory flexibility, regional coordination mechanisms, global space situational awareness (SSA) data coordination, and capacity building for long term space policy development. By convening this roundtable during the Leaders’ Summit 2025, SAMENA Council aims to continue earlier dialogue and facilitate early alignment, advance the technical and policy agenda for WRC-27 while also addressing space sustainability concerns.

The discussion of the roundtable will focus on:

Space Segment

1. How can the region build institutional capacity and technical expertise to support inclusive space policy development, inclusive of space-sustainability imperatives, and long-term regional engagement in global space initiatives, such as international SSA coordination efforts?

2. What priorities should be addressed to bring Space stakeholders, inclusive of SAT service providers, to bering together in the near term?

3. How can WSSA foster and lead in coordinating space development efforts – especially through the WSSA Space Development Charter?

WRC-27 Segment

1. What are the critical spectrum harmonization priorities that must be addressed at WRC-27 to support MSS, 5G-Advanced, and emerging 6G networks?

2. How can the WRC-27 agenda be shaped to align with both commercial innovation and the public interest in global digital infrastructure?

3. How can regional stakeholders collaborate more effectively on orbital coordination and spectrum harmonization, for example, to support MSS and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)?

4. What role should regional coordination mechanisms play in shaping a unified position ahead of WRC-27, and what would be the implications of such early alignment among the private-sector members and the Member States?

Leveraging 5G Infrastructure for Economic Growth & Municipal Excellence: Opportunities for Industrial and Sectoral Transformation

A significant development to note is the growing interest from Government Entities, for example, DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority), in deploying their own 5G infrastructure and advanced digital technologies. This trend signals a broader move towards enterprises and government operations taking ownership of critical digital infrastructure. The role of telecom operators has become even more crucial in this new landscape, as they are ideally positioned to provide managed network services and infrastructure support. This collaboration is essential for enabling government entities to unlock the full potential of 5G and, eventually, 5G-Advanced technologies, which are key drivers of economic growth and industrial innovation.

5G and 5G-Advanced technologies, which have laid the foundation for what is to come, i.e., 6G, offer unprecedented opportunities to drive industrial output, foster innovation, and enhance productivity across various sectors in the UAE as well as the GCC region, at large. The UAE’s digital economy is on an upward trajectory, and the collaboration between government entities and telecom operators will be key to harnessing the full benefits of these innovations. Furthermore, with the release of the UAE’s 6G roadmap in 2024, the country is already preparing for the next generation of connectivity. It is crucial that the UAE’s 6G strategy is showcased at the SAMENA Summit in 2025 to reinforce its leadership position in global technological advancements. This is aligned with the UAE’s We the UAE 2031 vision, which focuses on fostering a world-class digital economy and establishing the UAE as a global leader in technological innovation.

As TDRA continues to lead the digital transformation in the UAE, it is equally important for other regulators across the GCC region to align with this vision. The successful harnessing of 5G and 5G-Advanced technologies requires a collective effort among regional telecom regulators. By coordinating and collaborating, the GCC can leverage its collective strength to build interoperable and sustainable digital infrastructure, paving the way for a seamless transition from 5G to 5G-Advanced to 6G, while ensuring citizen-centric service delivery.

Some critical questions for the Multi-TRA discussion include:

1. How can regulators enable government entities to build and manage their own digital infrastructure securely and efficiently?

2. What regulatory support is needed to strengthen collaboration between telecom operators and public-sector organizations?

3. How can municipalities align with national connectivity goals like the 6G roadmap to drive local innovation and smart services?

4. What policies can accelerate the adoption of high-performance, secure networks for critical government and municipal operations?

Intelligence-Driven, Advanced Network Capabilities and Services

The 5G-Advanced Leaders’ Forum brings together industry experts and innovators to explore the future of AI-driven 5G-A networks and their potential to unlock new business models and monetization opportunities. As 5G-A evolves, it is transforming how networks operate, enabling smarter and more efficient services integrated into business and society.

This forum will focus on the convergence of AI and 5G-A to create dynamic, value-driven services that not only improve user experiences but also open up new revenue streams and business opportunities across various industries. A panel discussion will explore the future of AI-native 5G-A networks, focusing on how these self-evolving systems can drive new business paradigms. The conversation will cover 5G-A monetization, next-gen AI-powered services, and the integration of AI-native networks into real-world business ecosystems. The 5G-Advanced Leaders’ Forum will also highlight the UAE’s commercial launch of the 5G-Advanced x Artificial Intelligence x Standalone network, showcasing how these technologies can work together to deliver improved network performance, innovative services, and enhanced business value.

Following questions will spark a discussion on the future of 5G-Advanced and AI, focusing on how business can leverage these technologies to create new value:

1. How can AI-driven 5G-A networks enable businesses to create new value and unlock previously untapped revenue streams?

2. What are the key challenges in monetizing 5G-A and AI technologies, and how can companies overcome these hurdles?

3. In what ways can AI-native 5G-A networks drive the self-evolution of network infrastructure to optimize performance and service delivery?

4. How will next-gen services powered by 5G-A and AI transform user experiences and business models across different industries?

5. What role do automation and intelligent service orchestration play in the commercialization of 5G-A networks?

6. How can businesses ensure the scalability and sustainability of AI-driven 5G-A networks while managing operational costs?

7. What are the key security and privacy concerns when integrating AI with 5G-A, and how can these be addressed?

8. How do AI-native networks contribute to the development of hyper-personalized services, and what impact will this have on consumer behavior?

9. What are the regulatory and policy considerations that need to be addressed to facilitate the widespread deployment of AI-powered 5G-A networks?

10. With the launch of the UAE’s commercial launch on 5G-A x AI x SA what can other countries and regions learn from this milestone, and how can they apply similar strategies?

Multi-lateral Dialogue: Revolutionizing Cyber Defense Across Modern Digital Environments

Roundtable Description:

As cybersecurity becomes an increasingly critical issue in today’s interconnected world, the need for a comprehensive and dynamic approach to defense has never been more urgent. In a digital landscape shaped by systemic risks, growing geopolitical tensions, and a rise in targeted cyberattacks, this roundtable brings together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to explore how cybersecurity strategies must evolve to address the complexity of modern digital environments.

Telecom operators, digital platforms, governments, and critical infrastructure providers are all facing escalating cyber threats. The discussion will focus on developing multi-layered security models that protect both end-user ecosystems and enterprise networks. With the goal of strengthening cyber resilience, the roundtable will highlight the importance of cross-border collaboration, shared intelligence, and proactive defense mechanisms. Ultimately, the session aims to define a collective path forward to build a smarter, more secure cyberspace that promotes regional stability and fosters global trust.

The following questions may help steer the conversation:

1. What are the key components of a modern, multi-layered telecom cybersecurity strategy, based on GSMA and 3GPP frameworks, that can protect end-user ecosystems and critical network infrastructure?

2. How can telecom operators, national regulators, and CERTs collaborate more effectively to improve cyber resilience in telecom networks?

3. In what ways can emerging technologies such as AI support telecom threat detection and fraud prevention, and how do we ensure alignment with GSMA standards and responsible AI principles?

4. What are the main barriers to threat intelligence sharing among telecom operators and regulators across MENA, and how can GSMA frameworks support a collaborative defense ecosystem?

5. How can MENA regulators and operators collaborate to address SMS blaster abuse, CLI spoofing, and A2P SMS fraud, using GSMA frameworks?

Enablers in Digital Advancement: Open Tech, IoT, Affordability, and Fiber for Next-Generation Connectivity

This high-level roundtable aims to bring together ecosystem stakeholders—governments, operators, technology enablers, fiber and infrastructure companies, and enterprise solution providers—to catalyze dialogue on advancing inclusive, smart, and sustainable digital transformation. As we look toward 2030 development targets and next-generation connectivity demands, the session will explore how open technologies, IoT solutions, affordable devices, and high-speed broadband infrastructure particularly fiber and AI—can be scaled equitably to close digital divides and support economic resilience. A key component of this roundtable will be discussion on fostering digital innovation, accelerating gigabit speed network experiences, and exploiting the power of AI and fiber for both end-user and enterprise enablement.

This roundtable will also provide a platform to discuss scalable, affordable technology deployment models tailored for both urban and underserved areas, and highlight impactful use cases across health, education, manufacturing, and smart city development. Serving as a catalyst for regional cooperation, the roundtable will support alignment across investment, regulation, and innovation to strengthen the foundation for advanced digital ecosystems.

Some key areas for the discussion include following:

Regulators:

1. Data Sovereignty need to ensure all citizens data are processed in country and secured from malware or unauthorized usage

2. Services and application layer regulation ; definition of indemnity and liability (example who is responsible for wrong medical diagnosis or inaccurate legal opinion, etc.

3. Investment and standardization of key infrastructure including edge data centers (near customers)

Operators:

1. Will operators be able to monetize their customer base and network experience to train AI Model (linked to regulators)?

2. Will operator invest in building local machine learning model or focus on physical infrastructure

3. Will operators collaborate or compete? Who will set the scene? Market or regulators?

Vendors:

1. How is AI impacting product and innovation roadmap?

2. Will AI create new demands or pressures on the broadband at customer-end?

3. Will we see or project similar fiber growth demand in access and core network?

4. How can vendors and carriers co-innovate or walk this road together?

Digital Consumer Preferences & Choices and Competition Trends in Data-Driven Economy

As digital consumption continues to surge, shifting user behaviors, heightened service expectations, and evolving competitive dynamics are fundamentally transforming how businesses in the SAMENA (South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa) region—and globally—create and deliver value. This panel delves into the intersection of rapidly changing digital consumer preferences and competition policy in an increasingly data-driven world. Geopolitical shifts are reshaping technology access, platform governance, and supply chain dynamics, prompting companies—whether telecom operators , platform providers, or tech enablers—to rethink their strategies for sustainable growth. With regional leaders and global players at the table, this discussion will highlight how businesses are adapting to the evolving market landscape and building resilience through innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking policy frameworks. Key insights will focus on how companies can navigate the complexities of data economy governance, user trust, and the competitive pressures driving digital transformation.

The panel discussion will aim to address the following questions:

1. As digital consumption changes in the SAMENA region, how are businesses adjusting to new user expectations? Are there regional trends that differ from global ones?

2. In a region where trust in digital platforms is essential, how are companies building consumer confidence, particularly regarding data privacy and security? How does personalization impact this trust?

3. How are geopolitical shifts impacting the digital strategies of companies in SAMENA? For example, how do supply chain issues, data sovereignty, and platform governance affect service delivery and operations?

4. As the digital ecosystem becomes more fragmented, how important is collaboration between regional and global tech companies? What successful partnership models have driven growth?

5. Given the rapid pace of technological and regulatory changes, how should businesses in the SA-ME-NA region rethink their models for long-term success? What strategies are key for staying adaptable and resilient?