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GSMA-ITU Digital Societies Policy Forum-2015

The GSMA and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are jointly organising the high-level, by invitation-only, ‘Digital Societies Policy Forum-2015’, taking place on 25 June 2015 at the Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand.

The ‘GSMA-ITU Digital Societies Policy Forum- 2015’ will bring together policymakers, regulators, industry and other stakeholders from the ICT sector to explore issues related to digital societies that are specific to the Asia-Pacific region.

The morning session seeks to examine the emerging national plans to build digital societies, framed around sessions presenting new research reports/policies produced by the GSMA, ITU, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the Internet Society.

The afternoon session will be focused on the role of spectrum policy and licensing for mobile broadband, at which experts from various countries will be invited to share their views on global trends in technologies and spectrum demands, as well as challenges and opportunities in pathways towards building digital societies and economies throughout this diverse region.

The organisers are also honoured to invite participants to attend the dinner that will take place on the evening of 25 June following the closure of the Forum. This will bring together the senior level attendees for networking and discussion.

To participate in the event, please complete online pre-registration at CLICK HERE.

For more information about the Forum, please contact Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (Email: wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int), or ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific at Tel: +66 2575 0055, Fax: +66 2575 3507

PROGRAMME - 25 June 2015


09:00-09:20  
Welcome remarks by AVM. Thanaphat Raicharoen, Deputy Secretary General, Office of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)
[Speech]

Welcome remarks by Dr. Pansak Siriruchatapong, Executive Director, Digital Economy Preparatory Commission Secretariat
[Speech]

Session 1: Digital Societies and the Power of Mobile


09:20-09:50   'Digital Socities' Study [Presentation]
                      Mr. Chris Zull, Interim Director of Asia, GSMA

09:50-10:20  'National Broadband Policies for Smartly Digital Asia-Pacific 
                     2020' [Presentation]
                     Mr. Sameer Sharma, Senior Advisor, ITU Regional Office for Asia
                     and the Pacific

10:20-10:40   Coffee Break

Session 2: Greasing the Wheels of the Internet Economy


10:40-11:10   Greasing the Wheels of the Internet Economy [Presentation]
                      Mr. Jia-Rong Low, Strategies and Initiatives Director, Asia
                      Pacific, ICANN

Session 3: Unleashing the Potential of the Internet for ASEAN Economies


11:10-11:40   Unleashing the Potential of the Internet for ASEAN
                      Economies [Presentation]
                      Ms. Duangthip Chomprang, Regional Affairs Manager, ISOC
                      APAC Regional Bureau

Session 4: Panel Discussion and Q&A


11:40-12:10   Session Wrap-up, Panel Discussion, and Q&A
                      Moderator: Mr. Austin Menyasz, Policy Advisor, GSMA

                      Panelists:
                      - Mr. Sameer Sharma, Senior Advisor, ITU Regional Office for
                        Asia and the Pacific
                      - Mr. Chris Zull, Interim Director of Asia, GSMA
                      - Mr. Jia-Rong Low, Strategies and Initiatives Director, Asia 
                        Pacific, ICANN
                      - Ms. Duangthip Chomprang, Regional Affairs Manager, ISOC 
                        APAC Regional Bureau

12:10-13:30   Lunch

Session 5: Spectrum Management Trends


13:30-14:30   - Spectrum Management Trends Towards 2020 [Presentation]
                        Mr. Istvan Bozsoki, Head, Spectrum Management and
                        Broadcasting Division, ITU/BDT 
                      - To Manage, or To Enable? [Presentation]
                        Mr. Joe Guan, Spectrum Policy 
                        Manager, Asia Pacific, GSMA

14:30-14:50   Coffee Break

Session 6: IMT Spectrum Licensing and Spectrum Auctions


14:50-15:20   Pakistan Case Study - IMT Spectrum Auctions [Presentation]
                      Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunications
                      Authority (PTA)

15:20-15:50   IMT Spectrum Auctions [Presentation]
                      Mr. Scott Minehane, Principal, Windsor Place Consulting

15:50-16:20   Principles of Spectrum Valuation and Reserve Price
                      [Presentation]
                      Mr. Tony Lavender, CEO, Plum Consulting London [TBC]

Session 7: Panel  Discussion, Q&A, and Closing


16:20-16:50   Panel Discussion and Q&A
                      Moderator: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon, Programme Officer, ITU
                      Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific 

                      Panelists:
                      - Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, Chairman, Pakistan  
                        Telecommunications Authority (PTA)
                      - Mr. Scott Minehane, Principal, Windsor Place Consulting
                      - Mr. Tony Lavender, CEO, Plum Consulting London [TBC]
                      - Mr. Istvan Bozsoki, Head, Spectrum Management and
                        Broadcasting Division, ITU/BDT
                      - Mr. Herman Schepers, Senior Director, GSMA

16:50-17:00   Closing Remarks
                      - Mr. Sameer Sharma, Senior Advisor, ITU Regional Office for
                        Asia and the Pacific
                      - Mr. Chris Zull, Interim Director of Asia, GSMA

From 17:30   Networking Cocktail Reception