ITU releases new edition of ICT regulatory report

International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) has released the latest edition of the annual global ICT regulatory report, Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016.

This latest edition 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).

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.

It is trite to say that new ICT goods and services are bringing with them enormous social and economic disruption. Although, 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.

The report which has the theme  ‘exploring regulatory incentives to achieve digital opportunities’, 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 (SDGs) .

The role of ICT regulators in creating an enabling environment for ICT growth and development has never been more critical,” Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General said.

Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau highlighted that “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.

“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.”