The GSR is an annual event bringing together heads of national regulatory authorities from both developed and developing countries and has earned a reputation as the global venue for regulators to share their views and experiences as part of the worldwide community of regulators.  The meeting fosters an open dialogue between regulators and key ICT stakeholders: the private sector, investors and consumers. The first day of the GSR, 11 March 2008, was open to regulators, policy makers, ITU-D Sector Members and other invited guests.  The two days that followed, 12-13 March, was reserved for regulators and policy makers.

The theme of the 8th Annual GSR was Six Degrees of Sharing: Innovative infrastructure sharing and open access strategies to promote affordable access for all. Participants discussed and debated a range of sharing strategies that were grouped under six categories. The meeting addressed the why, what and how of sharing. Specific topics covered included: active and passive infrastructure sharing, functional/operational separation, international and domestic mobile roaming regulation, international gateway liberalization, sharing of end devices and innovative applications, regulatory/policy harmonization and universal access. These issues were also examined in GSR Discussion Papers presented at the Symposium. Two Speed-Exchange sessions were organized to provide additional opportunities for participants to meet informally and exchange views. A palette of moderated roundtable discussions were offered, and participants were encouraged to move from table to table to discuss pressing issues.