‘Smart’ Regulation to promote worldwide broadband roll out

The ITU Global Symposium for Regulators closed with the adoption of Best Practice Guidelines aimed at advancing the deployment of broadband connectivity worldwide.

In an era in which broadband is increasingly considered the right of every citizen, “smart” regulation was advocated to encourage greater openness and use of incentive dynamics to mitigate the challenges and threats posed by a rapidly changing ICT landscape.

Examining the complexities of the broadband ecosystem, GSR participants focused their attention on:

• M-banking services and the role of regulators
• Wireless broadband spectrum pricing
• Satellite regulation
• Open access regulation
• Setting national broadband policies, strategies and plans
• Financing universal access/service
• E-waste and recycling and the role of regulators
• Protecting rights, such as intellectual property, of all stakeholders in a digital ecosystem
• Regional initiatives to foster broadband connectivity