1. Perspectives on ITRs Thomas Wilson
Chief Executive & Executive Managing Director
CEO & Founder
April 2012

2. International Telecommunications Regulations – 1988 (ITRs)
Being reviewed after more than two and a half decades
Have catalyzed unforeseen participation (and collaboration) on ICT matters
Substantial work has been done
Regional perspectives provided
Multiple schools of thought
Key questions being asked relate to:
ITRs existence, scope, impact, and consequences
Business freedom and sustainability of investments
Fulfillment of government agendas
Realization or hindrance of greater PPP initiatives in ICT proliferation
Management of the Internet
Impact on the development of the Cloud

3. ITRs Under-Amendment Process
ITRs Created/Adopted
1988
ITRs came into force
1990
Discussion on amendments in ITRs began
1998
Expert Group's first meeting Group A: Developing countries' standpoint
Group B: Current and future needs in liberalized markets
1999
Report on the work of Expert Group, presented in ITU Council session
2000
Working Group (WG-ITR) established
2002
Agreement reached to conduct a review of the ITRs
2006
The need to revise ITRs communicated (Expert Group meeting)
2009
The need to revise ITRs reinforced (Expert Group meeting)
2010
Revisions and actions planned; agenda for WCIT set
2011
WCIT to Amend ITRs
(Dubai)
December 2012
Recommendations to be issued
Multiple pre-WCIT ITRs review meetings and workshops in ; SAMENA Council participated

4. Perceived Impact of the to-be-Amended ITRs
Regulation & Reduced Flexibility
Perceived Intrusiveness toward Inter-Operator Matters
International Mobile Roaming
Traffic Termination
Internet Peering
Internet's Sustainability under International Control
Cyber Security
Data Privacy
Existing Mechanisms given lower priority
Potential of ITRs Exceeding Scope
De-Incentivization of Investment & Innovation
General Perspectives
Scope
Issues

5. What Should be the Ideal Impact of the ITRs Treaty post 2012?
Ideal Impact of ITRs
Promote cooperation and collaboration
Support for ongoing industry transformation
Natural investment incentives
Minimal - if any - regulation of the Internet
Technology neutrality maintained
National Sovereignty of rights maintained
ITRs Scope Boundaries
New Challenges posed by todays ICT Environment
Stability – Flexibility – Built on Principle

6. Considerations Proposed by SAMENA Provide:
Recognition of the sovereign right of each Member State
Focus on addressable areas at an international treaty level only
Ensure longevity through technology-neutral, high-level principles and guidance
Free from controversy and confrontation
No conflict with, overlap or repeat the provision of CS, CV and RRs
Incentivize investment across the telecom sector and encouraging expansion of sustainable networks
Exclude areas, definitions, concepts, needs or proposals not related directly to telecommunications
Exclude issues relating to Internet/digital content, national safety and security
Allow private bilateral or multilateral trade agreements between Commercial organizations

7. Focus of SAMENA’s Position on the ITRs
Transformation of the ICT Industry
Open Market Practices
International Cooperation in the ICT Industry
Operators’ Commercial Settlements / Dispute Resolution
Market Dynamics that aid Internet Growth
The ICT Operation Model
Scope of ITRs
Technology Neutrality
The Need for Addressing High-Impact Issues
Status of the ITRs and Implications
Maintaining the Stability of the ITRs while providing Flexibility

8. Desired Goals, Communicated in SAMENA’s Position
Goal 1: Support the transformation in the industry through lighter regulations
Goal 2: Promote the growth of the ICT industry in a sustainable manner
Goal 3: Facilitate international cooperation on Telecommunications matters
Goal 4: Allow operators to conduct commercial matters themselves
Goal 5: Foster independence in dispute resolution
Goal 6: Ensure and preserve the Internet’s openness
Goal 7: Adopt Internet “self-governance” strategies
Goal 8: Safeguard the ITRs from being a catalyst for adverse, unintended change, and avoid undue complexities in the text of the ITRs Treaty
Goal 9: Maintain technology neutrality on all dimensions of the treaty
Goal 10: Safeguard the ITRs Treaty against frequent amendments and ensure its future applicability
Goal 11: Establish guidelines for governments on setting investment incentives

9. Thank You