Page 70 - SAMENA Trends - November 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ITU 2020 Global Innovation Forum Highlights the Importance of

Entrepreneurship-Driven Innovation in the Context of a Global Pandemic

The 2020 edition of the International often fail to understand, develop and digital transformation in their communities,
Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Global renew the competitive practices that fuel mainstream entrepreneurship and find
Innovation Forum, held from 26 to 30 digital transformation. Furthermore, the resources required for digital innovation,
October, highlighted the critical role of COVID-19 pandemic has created additional and bring resource, problem and solution
entrepreneurship-driven innovation in challenges for countries' transition to a owners together to achieve digital
the context of a global pandemic and digital economy by negatively affecting inclusion.
it honored the winners of the 2020 ITU socio-economic conditions worldwide. Winners of the 2020 ITU Innovation
Innovation Challenges. "Supporting "Entrepreneurship-driven innovation has Challenges
entrepreneurship-driven innovation has been a rising priority for ITU stakeholders The forum concluded with an awards
never been more important," noted ITU since the 2014 World Telecommunication ceremony honouring the 20 winners of
Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. "Simply Development Conference in Dubai," said the 2020 ITU Innovation Challenges and
put, innovation pushes the boundaries of Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the ITU a virtual pitch session of seven winning
what is possible. It creates jobs, economic Telecommunication Development Bureau. projects to a global audience of experts.
growth, and new ways to tackle the world's "This forum enabled participants to share Twelve women and eight men received
most pressing challenges, including the insights and discover new practices. awards across three challenge categories:
COVID-19 pandemic. ICT innovators need By bringing diverse stakeholders to The digital change-maker, ecosystem best
access to the resources to take their connect with change-makers for more practice, and women in tech.
ideas to market and access to a well- action-oriented outcomes, we hope that Tafadzwa Ronald Chikwereti (Zimbabwe),
developed broadband infrastructure." symbiotic relationships will develop to Carlos Eduardo Mosquera Reyes (United
While digital technologies have the ensure sustainable and competitive digital States), Mojca Karin Rehar (France),
potential to change lives and significantly ecosystems that unlock communities' Ikechukwu Umezurumba (Nigeria), James
accelerate sustainable development, potential." During the five-day event, 175 Gachara Kiruri (Kenya), and Thomas Müller
many communities lack access to an experts in innovation, entrepreneurship and (South Africa) won the digital change-
enabling environment as key stakeholders technology discussed how to accelerate maker challenge category.
In the category of the ecosystem
best practice challenge, the following
contenders won: Dominic Chidiebere
Nwaogu (Nigeria), Diana Artiom (Moldova),
Nahel Muhammad Amirah (Egypt), Ivana
Kostic (Serbia), Galina Dremova (Russia),
Wilda Romadona (Indonesia), Laila
Abdullah Khasib Al Hadhrami (Oman),
Zainab Khan (Pakistan), and Franca Vinci
(Italy).
Finally, the winners of the women in
tech challenge category were: Nindya
Miesye Agita Pasaribu (Indonesia),
Calister Apollonary Simba (Tanzania),
Achia Khaleda Nila (Bangladesh), Rani
Mutiarawati (Indonesia), and Nabuyuni
Ann Sankan (Kenya).

CTM Permitted to Stop LTE-TDD Service in Macau

Companhia de Telecomunicacoes de the cessation of TDD 4G services and subscribers in Macau, competing against
Macau (CTM) is to stop offering LTE- continuation of LTE-FDD. In a statement, Hutchison 3, SmarTone and China Telecom
TDD services, with the local regulator, the the CTT said that utilization rates on Macau.
Post and Telecommunications Bureau the TDD infrastructure were extremely
(CTT), amending its license to allow for low. CTM claims around 40% of mobile

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