The latest edition of ITU’s annual global ICT regulatory report, Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016, charts and analyzes the challenges and opportunities facing today’s ICT regulators as services proliferate, platforms converge and network operators ready their infrastructure for the next round of data-intensive technologies, from 5G mobile to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Public Relation and International Affairs of TIC announced
that: The world’s most comprehensive
overview of ICT policy and regulatory trends, ITU’s Trends in
Telecommunication Reform 2016 brings together insights from a broad
range of leading global experts to help regulators, ICT analysts and tech
journalists gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing an increasingly
broad array of ICT players – and consumers.
New ICT goods and services are bringing with them enormous
social and economic disruption. But while there are many benefits to be reaped,
the report highlights regulatory challenges that must be addressed to preserve
the ‘level playing field’ considered essential to competition and innovation.
With the theme of ‘exploring regulatory incentives to achieve digital
opportunities’, the report emphasizes the growing importance of flexible,
light-touch, technology-neutral regulatory principles which stimulate market
growth while protecting the rights of consumers and encouraging new entrants.
“Information and communication technologies are now
all-pervasive and will be central to helping the world meet all 17 Sustainable
Development Goals. The role of ICT regulators in creating an enabling
environment for ICT growth and development has never been more critical,” said
Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General. “ITU’s annual Trends in
Telecommunication Reform report supports regulators around the world
to put the right policies in place for their national markets.”
“To realize the full potential of the digital economy,
policy-makers and regulators have a key role to play in building policy and
regulatory environments in which new technologies can flourish,” said Brahima
Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “This 16th
annual edition of Trends in Telecommunication Reform focuses
on regulatory incentives to achieve digital opportunities which I believe
upholds the ultimate goal of regulators: serving consumers.”