Innovation & Investment

IIC members discuss sustainable investment models, public private partnerships, progress with broadband plans and multi-sector, intelligent coordination. Debate continues around the best way to incentivise innovation and investment whilst delivering audience protection and plurality in a world where converged communications are changing the rules.

Q&A with Dr Stephen Collins

Director, Public Policy EMEA, Snap Inc

Monday, 18 June 2018

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Key speakers on Innovation & Investment

Talks on Innovation & Investment

5G forecast show Europe ‘further adrift’
CCS Insight, a market researcher, has raised its near-term forecast for global 5G connections following “impressive progress” made by the industry over the past six months.
A new telecom/media policy agenda for the EC
Suggestions for the new Commission in an Election Year.
Achieving universal broadband
Considerations in emerging and mature markets.
Australia’s ACCC issues final market report
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published the final report of its communications sector market study, which includes 28 recommendations and actions on competition and consumer issues.
Balancing investment, innovation, demand stimulation and competition
Myths and realities from US, EU and beyond.
Broadband targets
Balancing investment predictability, competition and consumer choice to get every European digital. This talk took place on Tuesday 17th March 2015 as part of the IIC Telecommunications & Media Forum in Brussels.
Canada readies emergency alert system on smartphones
A system to alert Canadians to natural disasters and other public safety emergencies via their smartphones is another step closer to reality, reports the Financial Post.
Chaos of Mother’s Day sale investigated by Taiwan’s regulator
Japan Communications says it has received Japan’s first regulatory certification under both the Radio Law and Telecommunications Business Law for an unlicensed LTE (u-LTE) base station – and JCI chairman Frank Seiji Sanda says, “u-LTE is the first step in the obsolescence of legacy mobile operators.”
Cloud supported economy
Jurisdictional issues, infrastructure and investment.
Cloud, M2M and the data economy
What policy and regulatory strategies are needed across Europe to drive roll-out, manage security risks and build trust?

Regulatory Watch articles on Innovation & Investment

Q&A with Dr Stephen Collins
Director, Public Policy EMEA, Snap Inc
Chaos of Mother’s Day sale investigated by Taiwan’s regulator
Japan Communications says it has received Japan’s first regulatory certification under both the Radio Law and Telecommunications Business Law for an unlicensed LTE (u-LTE) base station – and JCI chairman Frank Seiji Sanda says, “u-LTE is the first step in the obsolescence of legacy mobile operators.”
South Africa’s regulator responds to call for data price cuts
South Africa’s regulator, ICASA, has published end user and subscriber service charter regulations as the start of a three-pronged process to address concerns about the cost of data services.
GSMA finds mobile development lagging in Central America
Deployment of 4G is lagging in Central America and the region needs to up its game or risk putting its future economic development at risk, the GSMA has stated in a report.
ECTA joins in with warnings about European Electronic Communications Code
The European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA) has sent an open letter to the EU to share its concern that the EU’s vision for a connected digital single market “risks being stopped dead in its tracks before it can effectively take off”.
Japan Communications has go-ahead for unlicensed LTE base station
Japan Communications says it has received Japan’s first regulatory certification under both the Radio Law and Telecommunications Business Law for an unlicensed LTE (u-LTE) base station – and JCI chairman Frank Seiji Sanda says, “u-LTE is the first step in the obsolescence of legacy mobile operators.”
FCC approves satellite broadband launch
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a plan by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build a global broadband network using satellites, reports Reuters.
US agencies band together for radar consolidation
Four agencies looking to band together to create a combined radar system want more information from commercial spectrum users and the public on their plan for the project, notes FWC.
Australia’s ACCC issues final market report
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published the final report of its communications sector market study, which includes 28 recommendations and actions on competition and consumer issues.
Cross-border data flows examined in Asian study
A paper published by Brookings looks at the importance of cross-border data flows, taking Asia as a model, and why they need regulating to stimulate the digital economy.
Europe makes triple play on artificial intelligence
The European Commission is proposing “a three-pronged approach to increase public and private investment in artificial intelligence (AI), prepare for socioeconomic changes, and ensure an appropriate ethical and legal framework.”
UK’s lays out universal service law
The design of the UK's new universal service obligation (USO) for broadband has been specified in law, reports Out-Law.com. The UK government said the new USO would “ensure high speed broadband access for the whole of the UK by 2020”.
Taiwan’s regulator warns on impact of price war
The telecoms regulator in Taiwan has warned that sparking a price war could impair how much operators are willing to invest in new services and networks, including 5G, reports Telecoms Tech.
5G forecast show Europe ‘further adrift’
CCS Insight, a market researcher, has raised its near-term forecast for global 5G connections following “impressive progress” made by the industry over the past six months.
GSMA weighs in on Colombia’s regulatory regime
The GSMA has put forward a series of regulatory and public policy proposals to boost Colombia’s digital economy ahead of next month’s presidential elections, reports Telecompaper.
South Africa consults on ICT ownership
South Africa’s regulator, ICASA is to hold public hearings to discuss “the review and development of the authority position on historically disadvantaged persons and broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE)”, notes ITWeb.
Togo aims to build internet access
The government of Togo, in an effort to ensure the provision of universal electronic communications services in the country, has adopted a draft decree that defines the rules applying to such services, notes TeleGeography.
Myanmar starts universal service fund
Myanmar will collect tax on telecoms operators to extend the telecoms network to remote areas of the country, reports the Myanmar Times.
Operators say European reform will not deliver on ambition and investment Heads of European telecoms operators appear to have lost patience with the EU’s strategy despite having been “vocal supporters of the ambitions outlined in the digital single market (DSM) strategy”.
FCC sets out 5G spectrum auction plans
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on proposed application and bidding procedures for the auctions of the 28 GHz and 24 GHz spectrum bands to promote the development of 5G technology, the internet of things, and other advanced spectrum-based services.
EU antitrust chief turns to academics to help tackle tech challenges
Europe’s antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, is looking to three academics to help her deal with anti-competitive practices in fast-moving technology markets, reports Reuters.
The impact of the GDPR
On 25 May the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force for the 28 member states, but the impact is already far wider as the regulation affects any organisation that keeps data on an EU citizen, which includes all the global internet giants.
Q&A Ieva Martinkenaite
This month Policy World interviews Ieva Martinkenaite, PhD, Vice President, Telenor Research, Head of Telenor-NTNU AI-Lab / Start IoT
Canada readies emergency alert system on smartphones
A system to alert Canadians to natural disasters and other public safety emergencies via their smartphones is another step closer to reality, reports the Financial Post.
Metadata processing under scrutiny in Europe
An item in the law blog, Out-Law.com, notes that EU law makers are scrutinising the issue of metadata processing in the context of new EU laws on privacy and electronic communications (the e-privacy regulation). The Bulgarian presidency of the Council of Ministers has published a document that has highlighted that there are different views across national governments in the EU on the rules that should apply to metadata processing.
Finland’s regulator imposes price caps to boost broadband competition
High wholesale prices impede competition in the broadband market, so the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) is imposing price caps on fibre local loops provided by the three market leaders in Finland, and regulation on copper local loops will be scaled down.
International tax system changes could target tech giants
The OECD says more than 110 countries and jurisdictions have agreed to review two key concepts of the international tax system, responding to a mandate from the G20 finance ministers to work on the implications of digitisation for taxation.
Indian regulator aims for public Wi-Fi rollout using payments model
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is aiming to develop a framework similar to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to aid the rollout of public Wi-Fi hotspots in the country, notes Live Mint.
Dutch agency notes vulnerability of digitisation of the power supply
The digitisation of the power supply will make it vulnerable due to the increasing risk of error in the software, and not only as a result of cyberattacks, reports Telecom Paper, noting a report by the Dutch Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli).
European regulators body sets out priorities, including 5G and net neutrality
The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) has highlighted its focus areas for 2018 – with emphasis on a study on 5G, the latest data on international roaming, and a consultation paper on net neutrality.
Susan Crawford says the US must do more in communications infrastructure
Susan Crawford, the Harvard law professor and proponent of public telecoms investment, has used her latest column in Wired to attack privatisation of public assets.
Portuguese regulator gets tough on net neutrality
Anacom, the Portuguese telecoms regulator, has accused the country’s main operators of violating European Union rules on net neutrality, reports Reuters.
India relaxes spectrum rules in favour of investment
India has approved relief measures for the telecoms sector, revising limits on spectrum holdings and allowing operators longer to pay for airwaves won at auction, with a view to freeing up funds for investment, improving ease of doing business and allowing for consolidation in the sector, reports TeleGeography.
Thailand talks digital transformation, space and satellite
IIC Thailand Chapter is committed to facilitate discussions on digital ecosystem and digital transformation to the country and Southeast Asian region.
Q&A Magnus Ewerbring
We asked Magnus Ewerbring, CTO of Ericsson in APAC, for his views on the future of 5G, its relevance for consumers and how networks will be ‘sliced’ to support different applications in the future.
Dutch agency investigates wireless using light
The Dutch radiocommunications agency, Agentschap Telecom, has published research on the use of “Li-Fi” – light fidelity – which uses light for wireless communication.
GSMA criticises Latin American spectrum policies
The GSMA has issued a report, “Effective spectrum pricing in Latin America: policies to support better quality and more affordable mobile services”, highlighting that spectrum policies in Latin America are impacting the delivery of quality mobile services to consumers across the region.
Tunisia updates regulatory priorities
The Tunisian telecom authority INT (Instance Nationale des Telecommunications) has published a summary of its main priorities for 2018, which include a number of new initiatives alongside its ongoing activities in the areas of consumer protection, quality of service, and regulation of wholesale broadband offers, notes Telecompaper.
France’s regulator urges internet freedom in IoT devices
French communications regulator, Arcep, has urged Europe-wide action to force manufacturers to reverse policies on handsets, tablets and smart speakers perceived to be limiting internet freedom, reports Mobile World Live.
Social media companies need to do more to comply with EU consumer rules
The European Commission says social media companies need to do more to respond to the requests, made last March by the Commission and member states’ consumer authorities, to comply with EU consumer rules.
OECD releases latest figures on mobile and broadband trends
Mobile termination rates – the rates operators charge each other to connect calls – dropped by an average of 42% in OECD countries between 2014 and 2017 as a result of increased regulation and competition, according to new data released by the OECD.
Proposal for a federal 5G network in the US
Telecoms and law professor Rob Frieden has written about a US National Security Council initiative that identifies the security and public safety benefits in having a government owned 5G wireless network leased by commercial ventures.
Cyril Ramaphosa mentions technology in state of nation address
Cyril Ramaphosa, the new president of South Africa, included the following in his state of the nation address: “Our prosperity as a nation depends on our ability to take full advantage rapid technological change. This means that we urgently need to develop our capabilities in the areas of science, technology and innovation.
European operators say status quo is better than bad reform
The European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) has warned that the current negotiations on the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) may “result in a worsened climate for digital growth”...
Expert report on AI warns of malicious use
Experts on the security implications of emerging technologies have written a report that sounds the alarm about the potential malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI) by rogue states, criminals, and terrorists.
Netherlands pronounces on the digital economy
The Dutch government says it will come out this year with a strategy to help entrepreneurs and people in the Netherlands to benefit from the digital economy, notes Telecompaper. Secretary of State Mona Keijzer stated in an opinion that digitisation is not only about economics, but also touches on relationships in society, on safety and on accessibility.
New Zealand resumes backhaul study
New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has resumed a study into backhaul services, which was put on hold in February 2017 while the government proceeded with its review of the Telecommunications Act.
Ofcom’s review of regulatory trends
UK regulator, Ofcom, has issued its “International communications market report 2017”, which includes a section on regulatory context.
India consults on new telecoms policy
TRAI, India’s telecoms regulator, has consulted on a new telecoms policy being formulated by the government to attract $100 billion worth of investment in a sector that's going through consolidation amid intense competition, notes Economic Times.
Q&A with Yasmin Mahmood
Datuk Yasmin Mahmood, CEO, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
ACMA introduces new regulations to support intelligent transport systems
The Australian Communications and Media Authority have introduced new regulations permitting the use of intelligent transport systems (ITS)...
Germany paves the way for cross-border IoT
Germany’s regulator, Bundesnetzagentur, has published rules for the cross-border marketing of mobile numbers which will further facilitate the global sale of machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.
Q&A with Rob Strayer
Rob Strayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Cyber and International Communications and Information Policy, US State Department
FCC pairs with health body in rural cancer support
The US Federal Communications Commission’s Connect2Health Task Force (C2HFCC) has announced that the FCC and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have joined forces, signing a memorandum of understanding that will focus on how increasing broadband access and adoption in rural areas can improve the lives of rural cancer patients.
France’s regulator sets out framework for fibre rollout
Arcep has set the regulatory framework that will govern how the incumbent, Orange, will roll out fibre services and access, notes Global Telecoms Business.
Kenya to force mobile money competition
he Communications Authority of Kenya will force mobile phone operators to share money transfer infrastructure, reports The Standard.
Bulgaria to prioritise European Communications Code in Council presidency; full EU spectrum reform in doubt
Bulgaria will focus its attention on speeding up negotiations on the European Communications Code when it takes over the 6 month rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers in January, notes EurActiv.
UNICEF and European Commission release reports on children
Despite children’s massive online presence – 1 in 3 internet users worldwide is a child – too little is done to protect them from the perils of the digital world and to increase their access to safe online content, UNICEF said in its annual flagship report.
Germany weighs up regulatory reform to speed fibre deployment
Germany’s telecoms industry should accelerate the build-out of the country’s high-speed broadband network, its regulator said, adding it was considering easier regulation on fibre internet to speed the process, noted Reuters.
China sends out digital economy signals
China is willing to deepen global cooperation in the digital economy to gain new momentum and expand global economic growth, the head of the country’s internet regulatory body has said.
Q&A with Dr Robert Pepper
Dr Robert Pepper, Head, Global Connectivity Policy and Planning, Facebook
FCC goes ahead with media ownership changes
As expected, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has loosened media ownership regulations in the US after a 3-2 vote by its executive which, while an expected development under the Trump administration, has drawn a mixed reaction, notes Rapid TV News.
Telcos battle carmakers over communications approach
A fierce debate has gripped Europe’s automobile industry that will shape the future of all cars sold across the region: how to get internet-connected vehicles to “talk” to each other while travelling on the road, reports the Financial Times.
FCC enacts next-gen network reforms; announces millimetre wave spectrum
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has enacted reforms that it says will better enable providers to invest in next-generation networks. The FCC is also seeking comment on additional reforms, including how the FCC can expedite rebuilding and repairing broadband infrastructure after natural disasters.
Italy joins in digital taxation plans
Italy is putting forward plans for a digital sales levy as a European crackdown on how large US internet groups pay tax gathers momentum, reports the Financial Times.
Africa’s taxes are ‘holding up connectivity’
African taxmen pick on phone companies because they make lots of money and keep excellent records in a continent where both these things are rare, writes the Economist.
Australia’s chief scientists calls for AI regulatory framework; ACCC keeping tabs
Australia's chief scientist, Alan Finkel, has called on governments and businesses across the world to consider developing a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence devices, ranging from the likes of Apple's Siri to weaponised drones, reports the Australian Financial Review.
US stock markets converge on telecoms
US equities indices are poised for a revamp to keep up with the evolving nature of communications, reports the Financial Times.
OECDs’ digital economy report
The OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2017 reports that progress is uneven across countries, businesses and within societies. Broadening access to digital opportunities and helping those lagging behind to catch up would increase the benefits of the digital transformation...
European operators warn of risks to infrastructure under reform plans
ETNO, the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association, has issued a strong warning about the direction of the European Electronic Communications Code. It says it is “no ordinary legislation. This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to unlock investment in world-class infrastructure, which is the core of a successful society and economy.
Estonian presidency pushes ahead with European reform
The European Council has granted the Estonian presidency a mandate to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on the new European Electronic Communications Code. “Our future is digital, and these rules are key to creating a gigabit society throughout the EU,” said Urve Palo, Estonia's Minister for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology.
Slovenia successfully tests emergency call system from cars
The system that makes emergency calls from car, eCall, has been successfully tested at an event in Slovenia.
Momentum increases in Latin American roaming
Bolivia's telecommunications regulation authority, ATT, and the ITU have issued a statement confirming that they will work together to promote the goal of ending international roaming charges between countries in the Andean community, reports Telecompaper.
UK report on AI holds back on regulation
Nine months after the UK government commissioned an independent review into artificial intelligence (AI), the authors have revealed their findings, reports Wired.
Economics of Australia’s national broadband network in doubt
The CEO of Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) company, Bill Morrow, has confirmed what the industry has been saying for years: that the network builder’s economic model is broken and that – under current conditions – it may never turn a profit, report IT News.
UK’s Ofcom warned on investment strategy
A proposal by UK regulator, Ofcom, to force the wholesale network operator, Openreach, into significantly cutting the wholesale price of its 40 Mbps fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) product for internet service providers (ISPs) has “been dealt a blow” after the government warned it would “disincentivise investment” in new “full fibre” (FTTP/H) networks.
GSMA finds fault in wholesale access networks
The GSMA has brought out a report, “Wholesale open access networks”, which examines the performance of the wholesale open access network (WOAN) model (also known as single wholesale network, SWN) in five markets: Kenya, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda and South Africa.
New Zealand introduces updated telecoms act
New Zealand’s Communications Minister Simon Bridges has introduced a bill to update the country’s telecoms act with a focus on increasing regulatory oversight and improving service quality, reports Mobile World Live.
US politicians unite on self-driving car regulation
The US House Energy and Commerce Committee has unanimously passed the Self Drive Act, which makes it easier for NHTSA to regulate what a self-driving car will look like.
South African draft mobile data regs could have unintended effects
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa's (ICASA’s) recent draft regulations on mobile data expiry and changes to out-of-bundle billing practices for telecoms operators could unintentionally raise data prices, reports ITWeb.
Thailand should focus on digital economy, says Internet Society director
Thailand needs to upgrade the National Broadcasting and Telecom Commission (NBTC) to focus more on coordinating various elements of the digital economy and society, says Rajnesh Singh, director for Asia-Pacific of the Internet Society, as the Nation reports.
Voice calling apps in India may no longer be an issue
A boost in data usage from the use of voice calling apps may mean the long-running debate into their regulation in India may turn out to be a “non-issue”, a source at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) told The Economic Times.
Q&A with Antonio Garcia Zaballos
Antonio Garcia Zaballos, Leader of the Broadband Programme, Inter-American Development Bank

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Dates for your diary

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA FORUM
3-4 July 2018, sydney

INTERNATIONAL REGULATORS’ FORUM (PART OF COMMUNICATIONS POLICY AND REGULATION WEEK)
8-9 october 2018, mexico city

IIC 49TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE (PART OF COMMUNICATIONS POLICY AND REGULATION WEEK)
10-11 OCTOBER 2018, MEXICO CITY

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA FORUM
December 2018, Washington, D.C.

Regional Regulators' Forum
18 february 2019, kuala lumpur

Telecommunications and Media Forum
19-20 FEBRUARY 2019, KUALA LuMPUR

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA FORUM
march 2019, TBC

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA FORUM
MAy 2019, Miami

IIC Communications Policy and Regulation Week, including the IIC’s 50th Annual Conference
7-10 october 2019, london

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Innovation & Investment