Page 10 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020
P. 10

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
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15