The world telecom regulators have been urged not to stretch too much on license and spectrum fees amid fierce competition as the leaders and CEOs of global companies requested them to consider information technology as a tool to develop other sectors that changes lives in a greater way.
They said the higher fees for spectrum and broadband could burden the companies’ exchequer, putting their investment at high risk as developing countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia and Bangladesh are thriving for sustainable growth.
The industry leaders made the call at the four-day ITU Telecom World 2013 that began in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday. The theme of the summit is “Embracing change in a digital world.”
They said the economic development of these countries is closely associated with the development of the ICT sector, which is burgeoning with innovations amid growing need for access to information.
Thailand is hosting the ITU Telecom World for the first time.
While cost effective frequencies are in place, investment would increase for the infrastructure development to ensure rural people of these countries get better access to mobile telephone services in a rapidly changing, but fiercely competitive business scenario.
As more countries including Thailand and Bangladesh have most recently issued 3G licenses, the industry leaders said, affordable handsets would be a driving force for the next generation of services as younger people are increasingly being dependent on data services.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that is responsible for issues that coordinates the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promotes international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and assists in the development and coordination of worldwide technical standards.
ITU Secretary General Dr Hamadoun I Toure said broadband connectivity would change the business pattern of the whole telecommunication industry while local content would be the prime focus of the business in the coming years.
He urged the governments and regulators to ensure proper use of spectrum in a way so that companies enjoy a level playing field to avoid any chaotic business environment.
Jon Fredrik Baksaas, president and group CEO of Telenor Group, said excessive fees for license and spectrum could hinder their efforts to ensure better services.
He also said easier taxation policies should be in place to reduce burden on the investors.
Agreeing to the ITU secretary general, Baksaas said local contents would play the key role in countries that have recently issued 3G licenses.
Baksaas mentioned Telenor’s Bangladesh subsidiary Grameenphone’s success in rural areas, saying a rural woman in Bangladesh now knows about the power of information.
“If the operators to pay a huge license fees and charges it also can bring back to the telecom market by distributing free laptops and netbooks for the students,” John E Davies, vice president of Intel World Ahead Program, USA also noted another way of heavy licensing situation.
The information and communication minister of Thailand Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap and Dr Nasser Marafih CEO of Ooredoo, Qatar were also present in the forum opening conversation.
Dr A Reza Jafari, Chairman of the ITU Telecom Board acted as the chairman of the forum discussion.
The opening ceremony of the ITU Telecom World 2013 was marked by a world class forum of interactive debate and showcasing telecom products while leaders of different state and top most leaders of the industry and leaders of the regulatory bodies were present.
Leaders in the ICT and telecommunication industry from around the globe, both of public and private sectors, related solutions and services developers and providers, content developers, thought leaders, academics are participating the summit.