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| Issue: 33 | |
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Hello , The spectrum wars hot up … The 2015 World Radio-communications Conference is just around the corner and the agenda for mobile spectrum is likely to dominate proceedings. The policy makers that will meet in Geneva have the unenviable job of agreeing which particular radio frequencies will be used for which purpose for the whole planet. Watch out for the forthcoming issue of InterMedia in which Roland Beutler looks at how the pressure on terrestrial broadcasters to give spectrum to the mobile sector shows no sign of letting up and positing the conclusion that the land grab for the UHF band is more about seeing off competitors and less about the availability of spectrum. In lots of ways the IIC’s annual Communications Policy and Regulation Week (CPRW) can be considered good preparation for WRC-15. Much of the discussion this year will focus on spectrum, the upcoming WRC and the decisions facing regulators and policy makers. We hope you will join us at CRPW in Washington DC to share your views, meet your peers and talk to some of the regulators who will be at WRC-15. Next time we will bring you an update from the Week and share with you more articles from InterMedia.
PS. We hope you like our new look website. We’ve responded to the feedback from members and made some changes.
Andrea Millwood Hargrave |
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The IIC’s 46th Annual Conference Trends in Converged Communications: Fostering innovation, growth and societal benefit 7-8 October 2015, Washington DC
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Latest keynote speaker announced Craig Silliman, Executive Vice President of Public Policy and General Counsel, Verizon Craig Silliman will give a keynote address setting the scene for a discussion about fresh thinking on spectrum and what policy makers need to consider to accelerate innovation, efficiency and change in its allocation and management. This session will include additional panel contributions from Information and Communications Technology Office, Philippines, AT&T, One Media and others who will examine…
• Managing the transition of spectrum into the hands of the innovators This is just one of many discussions that will be happening over the two days. To see the full line up of speakers and talks visit the website. |
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International Regulators Forum 2015, 5-6 October, Washington DC Developing Models in Response to Regulatory Disruption. Kindly Hosted by the FCC. Spectrum and the approach to WRC-15 Spectrum will be one of five key issues discussed by the regulators at this year’s IRF. The group will discuss allocation and re-allocation including licensing mechanisms. They will look at economies of scale and models to ensure efficient usage including licensed versus non-licensed and fixed versus mobile. The meeting also will examine the role of spectrum in ensuring the digital divide is reduced. This session will be chaired by Mindel de la Torre, Chief of the International Bureau, FCC, with contributions from the national regulators from Hong Kong, South Africa, Germany among others. Other topics for discussion
• Consumer and citizen protection in a convergent world To see the full line up of speakers and talks visit the website. |
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A Dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals and the WSIS Review, 9 October, Washington DC Invitation only workshop for CPRW delegates Senior representatives of the New York based UN Missions have been invited to meet with regulators, civic society and industry players to examine issues such as multi-stakeholder approaches in enabling the SDGs, and matters such as connectivity and cybersecurity capacity building. If you would be interested in an invitation please contact Laura Courbet. |
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UPCOMING EVENT The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) will be hosting the International Institute of Communications (IIC) Telecommunications and Media Forum 2015 (IIC TMF) on 8-9 December in Johannesburg. The IIC Telecommunications and Media Forum (TMF) programme serves to enhance the telecommunications, media and technology sector's knowledge and understanding of emerging policy and technologies on a fast-track basis. It is the policymaking world's only continuous programme of its kind. Attendance is free to members and non-members pay a small fee. |
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Event Calendar
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Regulatory Watch The IIC’s eye on the news. This bulletin is regularly updated with thumbnails of industry news. Follow the links for a round-up of latest industry stories. |
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In recent years, a lot of media and telecoms executives dismissed the idea that Americans would stop subscribing to cable and satellite TV services, an editorial in the New York Times notes. “But the cord-cutting phenomenon can no longer be ignored.” |
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Widespread 5G uptake in ten years A bullish outlook for 5G comes from Juniper Research, which predicts that service revenues will exceed $65 billion by 2025, compared to just $100 million during its first year of commercial services in 2020. |
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European Commission seeks low-cost subtitling The European Commission is launching a €1 million hunt to find out how crowdsourcing or other solutions can reduce the costs of obtaining subtitles and increase the exposure of European films in video on demand (VOD) services available in the EU. |
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Kenya regulations aim to limit “dominant firms” Kenya's telecoms regulator says that new regulations to prevent large firms abusing their dominant position in the sector are not targeted at Safaricom, the country's biggest operator, or any other company, notes Reuters. |
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Digital pressures putting more companies “at risk of extinction” As entire industries are disrupted by bold digital entrants and new business models, a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) offers insight into the pressures facing businesses. |
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New head at Nigeria’s regulator Umaru Danbatta has been appointed CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission and has “promised to tackle the quality of service problems in the telecoms industry”, reports The Guardian, Nigeria. |
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Asia-Pacific internet users want more policy involvement A survey by the Internet Society on internet policy trends in Asia-Pacific has found that the majority of respondents would like their government to provide more opportunities for multi-stakeholder involvement in policymaking for the internet. |
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In the current issue of InterMedia… Richard Womersley sets the scene for the upcoming world radio conference, where the agenda for mobile spectrum is likely to dominate proceedings. Richard Womersley is director of spectrum consulting at LS telcom in Germany.
Full index of 2014-2015 InterMedia articles |
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Questions for Fabio Colasanti, President, International Institute of Communications 1. There is a major communications framework review in Europe – does it have global importance? 2. How do you think regulators will evolve to meet this agenda? 3. What is the main policy challenge? 4. Some say the very nature of economies is being disrupted … 5. Finally, what is the ethos of the IIC? |
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The IIC has a number of chapters operating in four major regions. Each is made up of dedicated professionals who work in a not for profit capacity to share knowledge, facilitate relationships and create long-term bonds between regulatory authorities and the businesses they regulate. |
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Asia Pacific Region |
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Upcoming Events 15 September 2015, Singapore, hosted by Olswang Asia. In May 2014, the European Court of Justice delivered a landmark decision affirming the “Right to be Forgotten.” The ruling states “that individuals have the rights - under certain conditions - to ask search engines to remove links with personal information about them.” The implications of this judgment are vast and continue to evolve. Is the “Right to be Forgotten” likely to be enacted in Singapore or other jurisdictions in Asia? What are the legal and policy implications? |
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Recent Events The IIC Australia hosted a table at the Annual Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA) 'CAMLA Cup Trivia Night' – while the team weren’t in the winner’s circle on the night a great time was had by all! |
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News update ACMA boosts spectrum auctions capabilities: more choice for regional Australians The Australian Communications and Media Authority has signed a multi-year contract with Power Auctions LLC for the provision of software capability for conducting spectrum auctions. The first use of the software is expected to be for the upcoming auction of regional 1800 MHz spectrum, scheduled for November. |
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National Broadband Network (NBN) announces launch date for Satellite The NBN has announced 1 October 2015 as the launch date for the first of two satellites that will provide high speed broadband to even the most remote areas of Australia. Sky Muster will be one of the biggest telecommunications satellite ever launched and will sit in orbit 36,000 km above the surface of the Earth. |
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New online copyright infringement research released New research conducted by the Australian and United Kingdom Governments shows Australia has high levels of online copyright infringement and reinforces the need for international and industry cooperation to address piracy. |
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Federal Court backs ISPs in Dallas Buyers Club copyright application During August the Federal Court of Australia refused an application from the makers of the movie Dallas Buyers Club which would have forced internet service providers (ISPs) to hand over the details of customers who illegally downloaded the film. |
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The Americas |
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Upcoming events See details of Communications Policy and Regulation Week, Washington DC, 5-8 October 2015 Drinks reception 6th October, Washington DC, The Embassy of Canada The IIC Canada Chapter will not be holding its annual chapter meeting this year. Instead it will be joining forces with the IIC’s 46th Annual Conference and International Regulators Forum in Washington DC and will help launch proceedings with a drinks reception for all delegates at the Embassy of Canada. The chapter plans to hold a smaller half day seminar in Ottawa later in the year. Watch the website for details. |
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Africa and Middle East |
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News updates Orange expands its reach in Africa and India Orange the French public telecom operator is looking for investment in growth markets in Africa and India, announced its CEO Stéphane Richard. In July they increased their holding in Meditel, the Moroccan telecoms operator to 49% investing 600m Euros. |
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Europe |
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Upcoming events IoT / M2M: boom time and cyber insecurity Monday 26 October 2015, London Following on from our spring event ‘Data Protection, Privacy and Surveillance: Will cyber insecurity fundamentally change how we use the internet?‘, this IIC discussion will see expert speakers cover and debate the issues raised by the growth in IoT applications and devices such as the valuation of Cyber Risk for specific types of M2M propositions, associated insurance aspects, all the way to the role and impact of regulations on the development of M2M propositions (from roaming, to E-Call regulations, data protection, privacy, numbering, net neutrality), as well as give a market view of the latest developments and discuss methods and costs of mitigating these risks.
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Feedback We’d be interested to hear your views on any of these stories so email Laura Courbet with any comments and we’ll publish a selection of viewpoints. |
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Membership Options |
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We asked members what they find most valuable and useful about their membership of the IIC. This is how they ranked the benefits -
“IIC membership allows us to… |
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IIC Sponsorship IIC Sponsorship is for organisations active in regulation or industry. These members work closely with the IIC, helping to shape the policy agenda, contributing to discussions from which the wider community benefits. |
Full Membership Full membership is for organisations active in the world of telecoms, media and technology and their regulation regardless of size. Members are drawn from regulators, telecoms operators, broadcasters, network providers, OTT players and smaller digital start-ups. |
Associate Membership Associate membership is for firms providing professional services and consultancy to the industry such as lawyers, consultants and analysts. The meetings give specialists in the TMT field the chance to keep up to date with new thinking and new players.
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