Anil Kumar Lahoti, chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) inaugurated the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) Workshop on Spectrum on 21st January. The three-day workshop will be attended by delegates representing SATRC member countries, working group members, industry experts, and delegates representing many government departments etc. The workshop has been organised by Asia Pacific Tele community (APT) and hosted by TRAI. This workshop aims to address the critical importance of effective spectrum management in the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape.
The workshop is expected to yield enhanced understanding among participants regarding key spectrum management issues, leading to actionable guidelines for the SATRC Working Group. Additionally, it seeks to foster collaboration between member countries and industry experts, resulting in the development of best practices and strategies for effective spectrum utilisation.
The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Masanori Kondo, secretary general, Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, who emphasised APT’s commitment to supporting this vision and underscored the necessity for regional collaboration in the efficient management of spectrum resources. Followed by him, Abdul Kayum, chair, SATRC Working Group on Spectrum, highlighted the challenges faced by regulators and the necessity for innovative solutions to optimise spectrum usage.
During the inaugural address, Lahoti emphasised the critical role of effective spectrum management in today’s digital environment. He highlighted that the telecom sector is at the forefront of innovation and empowerment, driving digital transformation and delivering solutions that enhance the quality of life. Recognising the critical role of the radio frequency spectrum, SATRC established a working group on spectrum as part of its action plan. He emphasised that the workshop provides an excellent platform for sharing insights on emerging technologies, spectrum allocation, and policy development. By fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practices, this event will help build regulatory capacity, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and support sustainable growth in the telecommunications sector. He underscored that effective spectrum management is not merely about allocation; it is about creating an environment where innovation can flourish, connectivity is universally accessible, and economic growth is fostered. His insight reinforced the collective commitment to advancing telecommunications regulation in South Asia for a more connected future.
The inaugural session ended with a vote of thanks by Atul Kumar Chaudhary, secretary, TRAI, wherein he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the dignitaries and participants for their august presence. Choudhary highlighted that the discussions to be held during the upcoming sessions would set a spirit of collaboration and shared learning. He thanked APT and TRAI organising committee for their efforts in bringing together such a distinguished group and encouraged everyone to actively participate in the upcoming sessions, as their collective insights will be more helpful in shaping the future of telecommunications regulation in the county.
