Unlocking Rural Mobile Coverage and Internet of Things Capacity Building Taster Sessions
GSMA
Session 219
Capacity Building taster sessions designed to help policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders keep pace with the latest industry developments through training courses that highlight examples of regulatory best practice from around the world. Our training helps tgovernments discover how ICT can help them achieve the SDGs.
Topics Covered:
Unlocking Rural Mobile Coverage
Despite the growth of internet coverage in all parts of the world, over 4 billion people are still offline. Of the 3.2 billion people who are connected, nearly 1.2 billion don’t have access to high-speed internet access. Closing the mobile coverage gap is primarily an economic challenge. Uncovered populations typically live in rural locations with low population densities, low per-capita income levels and weak or non-existent enabling infrastructure. This course considers the challenges and opportunities that the public and private sectors face in bringing coverage to the uncovered, thereby giving them access to greater social and economic opportunities.
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) holds tremendous promise for citizens, consumers, businesses and governments. Referring to machines, devices and appliances of all kinds that are connected to the internet through multiple networks, IoT has the means to shrink healthcare costs, reduce carbon emissions, increase access to education, improve transportation safety and much more. This course provides a high-level overview of IoT concepts from a mobile perspective, outlines the role IoT can play in enhancing the quality of life of citizens and explains the key differences between traditional telecoms services and the IoT world. It also discusses the implications that IoT has for policymakers and regulators.
Speakers/Panellists
Genaro Cruz
Senior Market Engagement and Advocacy Manager, Mobile for Development
Genaro works in the Mobile for Development department at the GSMA, where he leads a number of initiatives to support the mobile industry’s efforts to connect the next billion. Leveraging on technology and policy innovation, he works with mobile operators and governments on expanding mobile broadband infrastructure to rural areas in a commercially sustainable manner. His work focuses on emerging markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Prior to joining the GSMA, Genaro worked as a technical expert in a French mobile operator and as a technical advisor for the French Ministry of Economy. Genaro holds a Telecommunications Engineering degree from the National University of Mexico, a MSc in Networks and Computer Systems from Telecom Paristech, and a Masters in Public Administration from the London School of Economics.
Vikram Raval
Senior Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Technology Policy
Vikram is a communications regulatory and policy specialist, with a focus on international telecoms regulatory matters and multi-lateral negotiations. With 20 years telecoms experience Vikram has worked on a range of communications sectors including fixed and mobile and business and consumer. At GSMA he has built on his international experience regionally - in particular, the Arab States - GCC, Africa - CRASA and Asia, and working across a range of ITU matters including ITU-T Study Groups, WCIT 2012, WTSA 2016 and Plenipotentiary 2018. Recent experience includes International Mobile Roaming, Taxation, Internet of Things and Future Networks.
Prior to this Vikram was Head of Regulation for Verizon Business, UK and Ireland where he covered business regulation, competition and EU export dual-use regulation. At Lebara Group, a consumer focussed MVNO, he was Head of Regulation for EU and Australia. Previously, Vikram was responsible for interconnection and regulatory matters at Eircom UK and worked across internet, telecoms and broadcast regulation at cable operator NTL (Virgin). He also managed a range of regulatory matters at Orange UK that related to mobile commerce which included mobile payments, advertising and gambling services. He also took the lead on telecoms data protection, security regulation and online child protection.
Vikram has a combined degree, BA Hons Economics and Law, and post graduate studies in Law - LPC, from the College of Law London.
Session's link to WSIS Action Lines
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C1. The role of public governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C4. Capacity building
We are providing capacity building.
Session's link to Sustainable Development Process
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Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Our session provides free training to help nations build resilient infrastructure and they provide knowledge which can enable nations to take advantage of developments within technology that can help to reduce inequality within and among nations.