The GSMA has strongly urged government leaders attending the 11th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires to reform their regulatory frameworks in order to encourage a new wave of innovation and investment in digital infrastructure and services. The industry body said continued trade, growth and inclusion are at risk as only 65 percent of WTO members have made commitments to facilitate trade in telecommunications services, including the right to establish new telecom companies, make foreign direct investment in existing companies and enable the cross-border transmission of telecom services.
In a statement released to coincide with the biennial event, the GSMA called on WTO members to not only adopt and apply existing WTO best practice principles, but also take additional steps to transform national rules and regulations to reflect market realities. Recommendations include the need to encourage network investment with a clear broadband development policy and an investment-friendly spectrum policy, promote economic growth through harmonised international privacy and data protection rules and update regulatory frameworks to reflect the new digitalised world.
