Countries around the world develop universal access and service (UAS) policies based on the premise that providing access to basic and advanced telecommunications and ICT services have a wide-ranging socio-economic rationale. In terms of reaping the benefits of broadband in rural areas and among poorer population groups - which is the concern of a universal access and service policy, a discussion is needed on the best way to proceed, how much to invest, what the required inputs are, what the results are and more importantly, what the required additional framework conditions are. To this end, ITU convened a workshop comprising regulators, policy-makers and other interested stakeholders to exchange experiences and best practices in extending access to broadband.

For more information on the workshop please contact the Regulatory & Market Environment Division.

Video highlights from the event

• Edwin San Roman, Indotel, Dominican Republic

• Arvind Kumar, TRAI, India

• Sonia Arenaza, Accion Network, US