The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has given telecom regulators from around the world some guidelines that would help unlock the full potential of digital technologies, emphasizing that collaboration and innovation are the key element for fast forwarding connectivity for all.
The guidelines, which were given in Port Vila, Vanuatu, at the ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) will help fast forward digital connectivity and allow people everywhere to benefit from digital transformation and participate in today’s digital economy.
“To unlock the full potential of digital technologies and accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), telecom regulators across the world must follow a more actionable, collaborative, and innovative outcome-based approach to regulation,” it said in a statement by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.
The United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, alsourged regulators and all stakeholders to be open to new regulatory tools and solutions and act now.
The statement reads “As regulators everywhere are faced with new technologies and new business and investment models, the GSR-19 Best Practice Guidelines show how critical collaborative regulation is to achieving the SDGs and delivering on the promise of the digital economy, including for the 3.7 billion people who are still not using the Internet.
“The regulatory landscape of digital markets is fast-moving and extremely complex. There is still much work to be done, and regulators across all sectors must rise to the challenge of connecting the other half of the world’s population.”
It added that these guidelines are invaluable tools that enable regulators to address the challenges ahead and navigate through rapidly evolving technologies, business models and market structures that are affecting economies, society and people around the world.