BEIRUT – Governments around the world should pursue policies that drive roll-out, innovation and affordable pricing in broadband networks, delegates at the ITU’s Global Symposium for Regulators were told Thursday.
Participants from 89 countries heard that in order for markets to evolve naturally, they require predictable and stable regulation, improved regional harmonization of regulatory frameworks, more efficient management of radiofrequency spectrum, and a “light touch” by regulators. They also advocate technology-neutral regulation, and urged regulators to make provision for the ongoing development of converged services by ensuring sufficient spectrum is available to support future growth.
The symposium developed a new set of best practice guidelines to help regulators around the world develop innovative strategies to meet the needs of a converged environment. The guidelines focus on four key regulatory areas deemed essential to today’s fast-paced ICT marketplace: the need to promote convergence; to build stronger, more effective national regulatory institutions; to use regulation to stimulate ongoing market investment; and to promote innovative new services that can benefit consumers and help “connect the unconnected”.
With the current economic climate prompting some operators to rein-in network development plans, speakers also emphasized the need for the public and private sectors to better understand one another’s needs and work more cooperatively to support demand for ICT services.
