Dr. Kamal Shehadi, Chairman and CEO of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, started by thanking all regulators for their contribution to the preparation of the “Best Practice Guidelines on innovative regulatory approaches in a converged world to strengthen the foundation of a global Information Society”. Dr. Shehadi proceeded by summarizing the main ideas in the paper:

1. Promoting convergence to further develop ICT and broadcasting markets.

• We recognize that convergence is a technology and market driven process.
  
  
• Promote innovation and research and development
  
  
• We recognize that regulators should take an active part in setting international standards relating to convergence in order, for example, to ensure an optimum level of quality of service and increased interoperability between different networks, applications, services and devices in a constantly changing technological and market environment, whilst taking utmost account of the primary role that the industry has in developing effective standards.
  
  
• We recognize the importance of universal access to broadband services, notably by developing broadband policy and a targeted universal access strategy and by cooperating with governments and international organizations. These strategies need to be aligned with policies of the sectors and programmes as appropriate.
  
  

2. Building effective regulatory institutions

• We recognize the importance of regulatory authorities being able to carry out their mandate efficiently, while ensure consistency and transparency of regulation, equal treatment of market players and accountability of regulatory decisions.
  
  
• We recognize that the creation f a converged regulator in charge of ICTs and broadcasting could be an effective step towards enabling market integration in a converged environment. Should this not be feasible, closer coordination and collaboration between the sector-specific regulatory authorities in charge of telecom, broadcasting and electronic media, as well as authorities in charge of competition is essential.
  
  
• We recognize the importance of close collaboration with other concerned agencies to ensure that appropriate measures and tools are put in place to safeguard intellectual property.
  
  
• We recognize the importance of international cooperation between national and regional regulatory authorities in building a harmonized and coordinated approach to oversee the evolution of the converged markets.
  
  

3. Using regulatory tools to stimulate investment in a converged world :

• Build an adaptive regulatory framework by adopting a technology neutral approach
  
  
• Encourage the roll out of broadband infrastructure (especially in remote and underserved areas)
  
  
• Foster competition in converged services over wireless networks through efficient and integrated spectrum management, using market based tool such as auctioning to assign spectrum more efficiently while recognizing that spectrum is a public good
  
  
• Shift regulatory attention from retail to wholesale markets
  
  

4. Stimulating growth in innovative services, applications and devices towards connecting the unconnected and for benefit of consumers:

• We believe that governments and regulators have a key role to play in stimulating demand for ICT services and applications, in framework of broader strategic goals, such as connecting public institutions (especially public administrations, schools, libraries and hospitals), businesses and residential users with broadband, promoting economic development, digital inclusion, social cohesion and equality of opportunity
  
  
• We recognize the key role regulators and other relevant agencies play in overcoming connectivity challenges, increasing ICT literacy and awareness of security issues
  
  
• We suggest that governments may consider using public funds to finance infrastructure roll-out in areas where private sector investment is sufficient
  
  

The floor was then open for comments and discussion, where Switzerland and Lithuania made few comments and changes to the text proposed. Dr. Shehadi confirmed that all comments will be taken into consideration in the final version.