From 17 to 21 February 2025, Libreville will host the expert meeting of Study Group 3 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) dedicated to the economic and political challenges of telecommunications in Africa. Organised by the ITU and Arcep Gabon, this workshop brings together around sixty experts to discuss tariff models, international connectivity and regional interconnection, with the aim of adopting strategic recommendations on a continental scale.
From Monday 17 to Friday 21 February 2025, Libreville is hosting the expert meeting of Study Group 3 of the telecommunications standardization sector. Jointly organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Gabonese Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (Arcep), this event focuses on general policy and economic issues related to international telecommunications and ICT.
With nearly 60 experts from across Africa, the workshop provides a vital platform to share experiences, discuss challenges and propose innovative solutions in the areas of regulation, tariff models, interconnection policies and infrastructure development. “ The workshop programme reflects this ambitious objective through thematic sessions on international Internet connectivity and regional interconnection, economic and policy aspects of high-speed Internet connectivity provision by retail satellite operators, universal service funds, international and regional mobile roaming policies ,” said Pauline Tsafak, Co-Chair of the ITU Study Group 3 Regional Group for Africa.
In his opening speech, Arcep President Célestin Kadjidja highlighted the importance of Study Group 3’s work for the development of telecommunications/ICT and the establishment of international standards. ” Study Group 3 is a true sentinel that positions itself as a strategic partner for governments implementing sectoral policies to identify emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, personal data protection, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), to name a few ,” said Célestin Kadjidja.
Ensuring universal access
Indeed, this commission plays a key role in defining pricing principles to ensure universal access to ICT services, fair competition and high-quality connectivity at affordable costs. ” The Libreville work will be conducted in four sessions, namely: International Internet Connectivity and Regional Interconnection; Economic and Political Aspects of the Provision of High-Speed Internet Connectivity by Retail Satellite Operators; Universal Service Funds; and International and Regional Mobile Roaming .”
This meeting aims to produce recommendations that will be carried ” with one voice at both the regional and international levels “. The conclusions of the workshop will contribute to the work of the regional group for Africa and more broadly to the development of standards within ITU Study Group 3, by integrating the specific needs of the continent.