Data Regulation

Working Groups

Purpose

The purpose of the Data Regulation Working Group (DRWG) is to evaluate trends and needs with respect to cross-border communications and data exchange in view of the onslaught of various digital communications technologies, consumer behavior trends, network virtualization / cloud computing, and business activities that require telecom infrastructure. The DRWG will issue recommendations or build on existing work done by likeminded organizations, and issues best practices for stakeholder consumption. The DRWG will focus on:

  • Consumer & data protection and privacy rules
  • Addressing impediments to cross-border data flows & network virtualization
  • Big Data, commercialization of data
  • Telecom and digital fraud
  • Cyber security, especially in view of IoT
  • Creating a path for timely deployment of 5G
  • Assisting in national broadband policy implementation initiatives

Mission

To become the Council's knowledge-support arm for addressing various aspects of Data Regulation, ensuring accordance with messages being developed by similar industry organizations and consistency in advocacy efforts, and to define how the Council will collaborate with other advocacy bodies or groups.

Participation

Open to members from within the SAMENA Council membership and new members can join. Participants should be senior within their organizations, carrying titles of “Head of / Director” at minimum.

Facilitator
SAMENA Council Management Team


Jurisdiction

The DRWG will study and utilize existing industry output, studies, and data and engage in collaborative efforts with other industry entities, to make advocacy progress on the Data Regulation front, covering its various sub-areas, nuances, and issues of interest for regional regulators and telecom operators. The DRWG has the authority to react to industry developments and regulatory activities on behalf of the membership of SAMENA Council by issuing public statements.

Governance Model

  • 1

    The DRWG will sustain and monitor its own performance, overseeing all activities falling within this specific theme/priority.

  • 2

    The DRWG will assess all issues that fall in the domain of Data Regulation, and issue its recommendations and positions, supporting SAMENA Council's strategic direction and ICT policy development needs.

  • 3

    It will achieve this with the internal participation of its members and externally, if and as applicable at its own discretion.

  • 4

    It will report its work directly to the Board of Directors for approvals and final direction.

  • 5

    The DRWG will also issue its recommendations to the CEO in the fulfillment of advocacy priorities relating to its complex themes and priority areas.

Accountability

The Board of Directors agreed not to appoint a WG Chairman. Instead, all Working Group Members have same-level standing within the Working Groups. SAMENA Council will coordinate and drive the activities of the Working Group as the Working Group Councilor, who will also be responsible to present to the Board of Directors of SAMENA Council the progress and the outcomes of the Working Group.

Meeting Schedule

The DSWG will conduct its communication activity via live meetings or teleconferencing, with a total of no less than four (4) meetings per year. The proposed meetings will be held quarterly. The schedule of meetings will be closely aligned with SAMENA Council and other key events to provide the opportunity to pick up on issues and outcomes of these events.

Working Groups

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