Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016

The latest edition of ITU’s annual global ICT regulatory report, , charts and analyzes the challenges and opportunities facing today’s ICT regulators as services proliferate, platforms converge and network operators ready their infrastructure for the next round of data-intensive technologies, from 5G mobile to the Internet of Things (IoT).

The world’s most comprehensive overview of ICT policy and regulatory trends, ITU’s brings together insights from a broad range of leading global experts to help regulators, ICT analysts and tech journalists gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing an increasingly broad array of ICT players – and consumers. New ICT goods and services are bringing with them enormous social and economic disruption. But while there are many benefits to be reaped, the report highlights regulatory challenges that must be addressed to preserve the ‘level playing field’ considered essential to competition and innovation. With the theme of ‘exploring regulatory incentives to achieve digital opportunities’, the report emphasizes the growing importance of flexible, light-touch, technology-neutral regulatory principles which stimulate market growth while protecting the rights of consumers and encouraging new entrants.

Key findings on broadband investment of the 2016 edition:

• Capital expenditures on fibre infrastructure are expected to surpass USD 144.2 billion between 2014 - 2019.
• More than 40 operators have launched or are planning LTE-A deployments worldwide; 88% of these operators are in developed markets.
• The rise in consumer data consumption may spur more Wi-Fi investment.
• Increasing numbers of existing operators, new entrants and financiers are developing alternative funding approaches for broadband network investments.
• Investment in broadband infrastructure is also coming from more unlikely institutions such as hedge funds or corporates that do not traditionally invest in telecoms infrastructure.