ITU – All About International Mobile Roaming (IMR) 2018

Published in 2018

The collection of IMR data for retail and wholesale services, by National Regulatory Authorities (NRA), remains very complicated considering that this is an international service that is managed, in most cases, by commercial agreements. Cost and tariff information is not easy to obtain nor always available. Regarding IMR retail services prices, most NRAs are collecting information on IMR traditional services such as voice, SMS and data, but not on retail costs. Only 20 countries out of 82 (who answered the survey) have reported to request retail cost information to operators. Data availability and greater transparency illustrate the need for further…

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International mobile roaming strategic guidelines

Published in 2018

The ITU international mobile roaming (IMR) strategic guidelines are part of the ITU Let s Roam the World initiative launched in 2015 by Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of the International Telecommunication Union Development Bureau (ITU-D)1, and have been drafted in collaboration with regional regulatory and other relevant associations. The issue of high international mobile roaming (IMR) service prices at the national, regional and international level is increasingly important, with national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and policy makers looking for appropriate regulatory and policy solutions. Discussions are not only focusing on just voice or data roaming, or on international trade-related principles (e.g.…

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The economic contribution of broadband, digitization and ICT regulation

Published in 2018

The transformative power for economic and social growth of connectivity is empowering people, creating an environment that nurtures innovation, and is triggering positive change in business pro- cesses and in the global economy. In our first study on this topic, The impact of broadband on the economy , launched in 2012, ITU provided initial evidence on the positive economic and social impact of broadband, under lining the importance of data gathering to refine impact measurement. It also explored the policies that have proven to be most successful in stimulating investment in broadband as well as promoting the adop- tion of…

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The APP economy in Africa: economic benefits and regulatory directions

Published in 2018

It is my pleasure to present this ITU report on the app economy in Africa: Economic benefits and regulatory directions prepared by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). Technological change is one of the most powerful drivers of national economic development. It represents the crystallisation of new knowledge as it is employed to improve the utilisation of all re- sources and to improve human welfare. Governments and Telecommunication/ICT National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) are playing an important role in this new phase of twenty-first century develop- ment of information and communications technology. This report identifies the analytical basis for the various types…

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Estudio de caso: El ecosistema digital y la masificación de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC) en Nicaragua

Published in 2018

El presente trabajo corresponde al Estudio de Caso: El ecosistema digital y la masificación de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC) en Nicaragua. El objetivo principal de este Estudio es realizar un análisis basado en el desarrollo del ecosistema digital en el país, considerando el entorno regulatorio, la estructura institucional, así como el estatus de desarrollo e implementación de las políticas de telecomunicaciones y los planes de masificación de las TIC en el mismo. El Estudio también tiene por objetivo analizar la experiencia del país y su entorno tecnológico y el uso y aplicabilidad de las TIC…

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Regulatory challenges and opportunities in the new ICT ecosystem

Published in 2018

The new ICT ecosystem has unleashed a virtuous cycle, transforming multiple economic and social activities on its way, opening up new channels of innovation, productivity and communication. The rise of the app economy and the ubiquity of smart mobile devices create great opportuni- ties for users and for companies that can leverage global scale solutions and systems. Technology design deployed by online service providers in particular often reduces transaction costs while allowing for increasing econo- mies of scale. The outlook for both network operators and online service providers is bright as they benefit from the virtuous cycle as the ICT…

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Powering the digital economy: Regulatory approaches to securing consumer privacy, trust and security

Published in 2018

I am pleased to present this report on Powering the Digital Economy: Regulatory Approaches to Securing Consumer Privacy, Trust and Security prepared by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The networked digital environment offers extraordinary and unprecedented potential for social and economic growth. It offers boundless opportunities for governments to create efficiencies and improve the lives of their citizens. And it offers businesses, large and small, new and better ways to connect with their users and consumers around the world. In this new era of the digital economy, data has become one of the world…

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Digital identity in the ICT ecosystem: An overview

Published in 2018

With digital transformation sweeping across sectors and the advent of new electronic identification (eID) technologies, there is a growing trend towards digital identity. In our increasingly digital envi- ronment, it is of paramount importance that citizens be in possession of a legal and digital identity if they are to access digital government services and participate fully in the digital economy. In 2018, of the 175 countries with a national ID (foundational or legal identification) system in place, 160 have a system that is at least partially e-ID. However, even in these countries a significant portion of the population still do…

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Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2018

Published in 2018

Regulation has entered a new age. The days when regulators dealt with purely technological changes such as the analogue to digital transition are over. Today, digital transformation is sweeping across whole economies, changing our outlook forever. As mobile phones have become even more ubiquitous in their coverage and use, they have also become portals to a host of online services. Regulators find themselves grappling with an ever-growing array of challenges associated across different sectors including digital identity, data protection, blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Regulation continues to evolve rapidly. Far from falling behind or trying to catch up , I…

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Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2017

Published in 2017

Over past decades the world has witnessed a digital revolution that is ushering in huge change. The rate of that change continues to accelerate challenging our governments and institutions to keep pace. The ICT regulatory landscape too is evolving and at an ever-increasing pace. This report measures and monitors changes taking place in the telecommunication/ICT market itself as well as in the regulatory environment. It identifies and analyses seven market trends and seven regulatory trends and takes an informed view on future regulatory direction. The report builds on extensive data captured in the ICT Regulatory Tracker. Of the many findings…

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