Spectrum Strategy Symposium Commences in Dhaka
A three-day international symposium on spectrum management, organized by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), has commenced in Dhaka. The event, which began on Tuesday, February 18, at a hotel in the capital, has gathered around 200 representatives, including heads of regulatory bodies, telecom operators, government and private sector officials, and experts in telecommunications and information technology from various countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Iran, Australia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Laos.
Among the associated members of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) participating in the symposium are Singapore’s CISCO and INMARSAT, GSMA (Hong Kong), Japan’s KDDI Corporation, the Global Satellite Operators Association, Amazon, Meta, Starlink, Qualcomm India, Huawei Technologies, Telenor Asia, Australia’s Palace Consulting, and Japan’s National Institute of Communication and Technology.
The opening ceremony was presided over by BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari. The event’s chief guest was Dr. Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, while the special guest was Mr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
Dr. Md. Mushfiqur Rahman emphasized the importance of efficient utilization of radio spectrum, describing it as a scarce and valuable resource. He stated, "Proper use of spectrum plays a crucial role in a country's socio-economic and technological advancement. As a focal organization, the APT member states can leverage this symposium to exchange technical knowledge and insights to maximize the potential of the telecommunications sector."
APT Secretary-General Masanori Kondo highlighted the symposium’s focus on spectrum policy, regulation, and management for policymakers, telecom regulators, and technology firms in the Asia-Pacific region. He stated, "The symposium will generate significant discussions on national spectrum strategies, spectrum management roadmaps, and future technological trends, which will contribute to regulatory and policy formulation for member states." He also expressed appreciation to BTRC for organizing the event in an orderly manner.
BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari underscored the necessity of accessible and affordable spectrum to expand digital connectivity globally. He noted, "APT is working closely with member states, industry stakeholders, and regulators to develop a comprehensive spectrum roadmap. This will facilitate effective spectrum management, valuation strategies, roadmap development techniques, regulatory frameworks, and regional coordination efforts." He also emphasized that stable and efficient spectrum management policies are crucial for long-term investment and growth. "Inefficient spectrum management can impose financial burdens on service providers, hindering infrastructure expansion and service quality improvement," he added.
According to the organizers, the symposium will include discussions on the outcomes of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 held in Dubai, new ICT innovations, and regulatory policies to facilitate regional cooperation in spectrum management. The event will also cover digital connectivity and national spectrum strategies, policies for expanding connectivity in remote areas, addressing spectrum bandwidth demands, roadmap development, future spectrum management perspectives, and best practices among member states.
Notably, in November 2023, the APT General Assembly’s 16th session adopted the Strategic Plan for 2024-2026, emphasizing the creation of favorable policies and regulatory environments for spectrum utilization under the Digital Connectivity Platform initiative. The plan outlines measures such as ensuring spectrum availability for new applications, efficient spectrum usage, roadmap development, regional and global spectrum coordination, and cross-border cooperation.
The three-day symposium is structured into 12 sessions, covering topics such as "APT Strategic Plan 2024-2026" and "Connectivity Needs and National Spectrum Strategy" on the first day; "Assessing Spectrum Management Practices – Valuation of Radio Frequency Spectrum" on the second day; and "Application of Innovative Techniques and Tools in Spectrum Management" and "Key Regulatory Considerations in Spectrum Usage" on the third day.
Participants anticipate that discussions on these topics will foster collaboration among high-level policymakers, regulatory authorities, and the digital industry within the Asia-Pacific region.
