The 24th SATRC conference ended with a pledge of mutual cooperation
The three-day long 24th International Conference of South Asian Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (SATRC) concluded on Thursday with the adoption of action plans for the development of the telecommunication sector through expansion of 5G technology, expansion of broadband connectivity, building a sustainable digital future, mutual exchange of knowledge and cooperation among member countries in spectrum management for social and economic development, spectrum penetration across borders and use of spectrum in satellite and terrestrial services.
In the conference organized by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and Asia Pacific Telecommunication Community (APT), the heads of telecommunication and information communication technology regulatory bodies of 9 South Asian countries including Bangladesh - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives and Iran; Telecom Operators, 100 (one hundred) representatives including representatives of telecommunication and information technology institutions and government and private organizations participated. Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar was present as the chief guest at the end of the conference.
On Tuesday, the Speaker of the National Parliament Dr. Shireen Sharmin Chawdhury inaugurated the event. After inauguration, two roundtable meetings were held on Regulators' Roundtable: Regulatory Interventions and Innovations for Sustainable Digital Future. In this, the representatives of Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated and highlighted the existing challenges and future action plans of the telecommunication sector of their respective countries. The panelists said that spectrum is a scarce resource and its proper use is very important. By 2030, one-third of people in Asia Pacific countries will be covered by 5G technology and 5G will contribute more than one trillion dollars to the global economy around the world.
Two roundtable discussions were held on the second day on Regulator-Industry Dialogue: Spectrum for Future. Representatives of Asia Pacific-Telecommunity, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran, GSMA, Huawei Technologies, Australia's Windshore Place Consulting Telenor Asia, Asiata Group Berhad, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise participated in it.
In the discussion, the speakers said that, in the future expansion of 5G technology, proper spectrum management and construction of network infrastructure will be the biggest challenge. It will be fruitful if Tesco formulates policy through mutual discussion of regulator-operator in development of telecommunication infrastructure. They also opined that although 5G has not spread as fast as in Europe and America in South Asia, 5G is gradually expanding. The panelists also commented that strong broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity infrastructure needs to be built to make digital connectivity fruitful.
On the third day of the conference, SATRC's Working Group on Policy and Regulations, Working Group on Spectrum and Capacity Building adopted action plans. It was decided to hold the 25th International Conference of SATRC in India in 2024 and the 26th International Conference in 2025 in Pakistan. Besides, India has been nominated as the Vice-Chairman of SATRC. In 2025, SATRC Working Group Workshop on Policy and Regulations will be held in Bangladesh and SATRC Workshop on Spectrum in India.
At the closing ceremony, Mr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, expressed his gratitude to the representatives of BTRC and all participating members. He said, through the 24th international conference, the development of the telecommunication sector of the member countries, proper use of spectrum, formulation of policies for the construction of sustainable telecommunication infrastructure, meeting the existing challenges and setting future goals will play an important role.
While speaking as the President, BTRC Chairman (Senior Secretary) Shyam Sundar Sikdar sought everyone's cooperation in implementing the action plan structure of the 24th Conference of SATRC to be held in 2024. He said, this regional conference will serve as a bridge between the regulatory bodies, technology institutions and mobile operators in exchange of new technologies among the member countries of South Asia, exchange of mutual knowledge and experience to face technical challenges. He also expressed hope that the member countries will be able to contribute significantly to the development of the telecommunication and information technology sector through mutual cooperation and coordination.
Posts and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar, while speaking as the Chief Guest, said that, there is no alternative to digitization in building a prosperous and developed country, and digital connectivity will be the main basis of digitization. Pointing out that the socio-economic conditions of nine South Asian countries are similar, he said, Bangladesh is moving towards Smart Bangladesh by transitioning to digital system. Pointing out that expansion of digital connectivity is very important in the formation of Smart Bangladesh, he emphasized the implementation of digital connectivity, exchange of technical information and exchange of experience among the member countries.
Chairman of Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ARTA) Mr. S. Barat Shah Nadim, Chief Executive Officer of Communication Authority of Maldives Mr. Ilyas Ahmed, Chairman of Nepal Telecommunication Authority Mr. Purushottam Khanal, Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, Director General of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka Mr. Delana Madhushanka Dissanayake, Director of Communications Regulatory Authority of Iran Ali Reza Darvishi, Secretary of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Mr. V Raghunandan, Director of Bhutan Info Communication and Media Authority Mr. Jigme Wangdi represented their respective countries.
SATRC's associate member companies at the conference include Axiata Group Berhad, Banglalink Digital, Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, GSMA (Hong Kong), Huawei Technologies, Telenor Asia, Telenor Pakistan, Inmerset Singapore, ITU-APT Foundation of India, Nokia Solutions and Networks India and Thailand. National Electronics and Computer Technology Center hosted the conference.
SATRC was established in 1997 as a coalition of South Asian telecommunication regulatory bodies. This organization formulates policies on wireless coordination, standardization, regulatory trends, telecommunication sector development strategies, and regional cooperation and international issues related to telecommunications. The Council holds meetings every year on important issues of interest to the member countries.
