Dear By 2020, 25 billion devices will be connected. Rapidly evolving wireless services in diverse sectors are generating enormous volumes of data and demanding spectrum out of all proportion with our ability to provide it. In his article Spectrum Line Up, Chris Woolford sets out six challenges facing spectrum managers, arguing that national and international frequency allocation tables closely resemble the equivalent tables of 20 years ago. At the Annual Conference and IRF this
month spectrum challenges were discussed in sessions ranging from the role regulation can play in closing the digital exclusion gap, facilitating investment in 5G, and innovation in connectivity technologies. We also had an interesting case study examining what has been learnt from the US incentive auction (see Q & A below). The spectrum discussion will continue at our upcoming Washington TMF where we will examine connectivity enablers and closing the gap in rural and urban coverage. We hope to see you there.
FCC Incentive Auction Task Force This month, Policy World talks to Howard Symons who was the Vice-Chair of the FCC's Incentive Auction Task Force. We asked him about the biggest challenges the TMT sector is facing in the next three years. See Mr Symons’ answers
Telecommunications & Media Forum
5 - 6 December, Washington DC
Brendan Carr, Commissioner, FCC The FCC will speak at the TMF along with contributions from the WEF, Federal Trade Commission, Kenya ICT Action Network, AT&T, Verizon and Akamai. Discussions will focus on digital transformation and how to enable an open, safe and secure space for future global communication. TMF Washington
Annual Conference 2017
Trends in converged, cross-border, cross sector, digital ecosystems
October 2017
International Regulators’ Forum
Rethinking the public policy justifications for regulation
October 2017
Presentations available for IRF delegates and members See presentations (login required)
The future for copyright and IP
30 November 2017, London
IIC UK Chapter The online future for copyright and IP: copyright reform, IPR enforcement and the debate on intermediary liability are all topics that will be discussed at this UK Chapter meeting hosted by Oxera. Reserve your place here
Milestones in Convergence
9–10 November 2017, Rome
IIC Italian Chapter This two-day event hosted by the IIC, Agcom and the RAI will mark the IIC’s 20-year anniversary in Italy. Speakers will include Roberto Viola of the European Commission (pictured) plus senior representatives from ERGA, BEREC and industry. Book your place
New Developments in Canadian Communications Law and Policy
14-15 November 2017, Ottawa
IIC Canada Chapter Grace Koh, Special Assistant to President Trump for Technology, Telecom and Cybersecurity will give a keynote at the event which will cover developments in Canadian and international communications law and policy. Reserve your place
What challenges are we facing in spectrum management and are we moving fast enough to meet them? Ofcom’s Chris Woolford thinks we can do better InterMedia – Spectrum Line up
IIC Thailand Chapter
Thai regulators converge
Thai regulators converge From Friday 6 October a new law merges the telecom and broadcast regulators into one single regulatory agency. The number of commissioners has been cut and the NBTC is acting as caretaker whilst the new regulator is selected. Its first action is to prohibit all unregistered drones to be flown in Thailand. Read more
IIC Australia Chapter
New IIC Committee
IIC Australia new officers announced In light of the ever-changing communications landscape, IIC Australia has reorganised its committee, under Professor Derek Wilding, to reinvigorate policy discussion and debate through a series of focused events and projects. The new committee will work closely with IIC chapters around the world. See Press Release
Guyana monitors spectrum and gears up for new regulator Guyana’s National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) has switched on three spectrum monitoring stations. The NFMU is gearing up for reforms that will see them rolled into a new regulatory authority, the National Telecommunication Agency (NTA). Read more
Commission makes digital appointment Mariya Gabriel has been appointed as member of the European Commission for the digital economy and society. She has been a member of the European Parliament for Bulgaria’s GERB party and is now responsible for progressing the digital single market plans. Read more
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