Best practice guidelines aimed at improving global Internet access were adopted on Friday, at the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU's) Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR).
The United Nations meeting was focused on the acceleration of broadband rollout, and was held in Armenia City, Columbia. The theme of the symposium was “Smart Regulation for a Broadband World”.
In a statement, ITU telecommunication development bureau director Brahima Sanou said: “We have seen over the years how regulatory reform plays an essential role in creating an environment where new technologies can flourish and be shared by all.
“The development of robust and flexible regulatory frameworks can help developing countries leapfrog technologies and make the best use of new developments in ICTs.”
ITU secretary-general Hamadoun Tour'e added: “Increased access to the Internet - and broadband in particular - will allow us to more effectively deliver services to meet the Millennium Development Goals, as e-applications such as e-health, e-education, and e-governance are able to reach even the remotest corners of the world.
“But this will only change when broadband becomes more affordable - and the world's regulators meeting here in Colombia can facilitate this by advocating a combination of increased capacity and competition.”
The three-day event was attended by 504 participants, with 243 representatives from 72 countries and 261 representatives from 42 public and private sector companies, as well as regional and international organisations.
Discussion papers on all the issues covered during the GSR can be found on the GSR-11 Web site. Some topics include the regulatory landscape for mobile banking, setting national broadband policies, strategies and plans, and open access regulation in the digital economy.
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