TRA takes part in ‘Broadband Commission’ meet

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

The General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector (TRA) recently participated in the 13th meeting of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, which welcomed 13 ministers from across the world.
The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and businessman Carlos Slim. The participants noted the importance of setting a set of procedures to be executed in this area to help governments improve the performance of broadband networks and services and ways to use them in achieving the 17 sustainable development goals adopted in the United Nations General Assembly meeting last year.
H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, TRA Director General and a member of the Commission, headed the UAE delegation in the meeting. Participants stressed on the great potential provided by broadband services and networks, and their role in delivering dramatic results in education, health and socio-economic growth. The meeting also focused on what was agreed-upon in Davos conference in terms of providing broadband networks in all countries that still lack this service, stressing on the need to provide an investment opportunity that enables harnessing broadband services, applications and networks which will have a significant impact on achieving sustainable development goals.
Speaking on the TRA’s participation, HE Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri said: “We are very proud that the UAE today is an active member in this prestigious UN Commission that includes a number of various key experts, creative minds and
decision makers. This represents a testament on the leading global position occupied by the UAE and its wise leadership. It also reflects the recognition of the country’s efforts in various fields, particularly ICT sector, which is a vital component of the human and economic development. Our contributions in these commissions play a significant role in shaping the future of the global ICT sector, particularly Broadband. We believe in the importance of the ICT sector which serves as a catalyst that helps us overcome impediments to development and access to education, health care and employment opportunities. The TRA also confirms its commitment and dedication towards providing broadband networks that contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in addition to its cooperation with other commissioners and representatives of the international telecommunication Union and UNESCO. “
Engineer Nasser Bin Hammad, Senior Manager of International Affairs at the TRA who attended the meeting said: “The sustainable development goals define the framework of the global comprehensive development by addressing social, economic and environmental aspects in this area. Therefore, not only studying these goals carefully, but we also developed a deep insight on the role of ICT in achieving each and every goal. The TRA will also create a collaborative framework with national stakeholders in order to join efforts in achieving these goals.

In addition, the TRA will work closely with the International Telecommunication Union to form a working group to study and identify ways to harness ICT sector in achieving these goals and creating a global index that addresses these objectives for the United Nations.”
The discussions focused on the new potential goals, specifically with regard to the need to add criteria to measure the actual benefit from the public services provided through broadband networks. Participants also noted the importance of the choice of statistical indicators to accurately gauge broadband access at the level of countries and communities as well as the choice of data sources and methodologies for generating accurate and reliable measurement. Attendants supported the development of “National Digital Scorecards” to measure national progress on broadband targets.