By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief
The International Institute of Communications(IIC) has unfolded more details regarding its Communications Policy & Regulation Week 2023, Cyber Era NG learns. Slated to be in-person, the Week holds in Cologne, Germany. It comprises:
- International Regulators Forum 16-17 October
- Small Nations Regulators Forum 17 October (afternoon)
- Welcome Reception at Sticky Fingers, all welcome, evening of 17 October
- Annual Conference 18-19 October
- Gala networking reception at KölnSKY with incredible views over the city
As at press time, Speaker update obtained from the Director-General at IIC, Lynn Robinson includes:
*Director-General of Communications, Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), Hong Kong, China, Chaucer Leung
*Head of International Affairs, BNetzA; Co-Chair BEREC, Remedies EWG, Annegret Groebel
*Executive Chairperson, Coimisiún na Meán, Jeremy Godfrey
*Chairman of the Council, Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) Michel Van Bellinghen
*Chairman, Barbados Broadcasting Authority; Director, National Transformation Initiative, Government of Barbados, Allyson Leacock
*General-Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Bahrain, Philip Marnick
*President of the HAKOM Council, Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) Tonko Obuljen
*Head of Subdepartment Internet, Digitalization and Market Analysis, Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), Germany, Andrea Sanders-Winter
*Director, Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia; Commissioner for European Affairs of the German Media Authorities, Tobias Schmid.
Ms. Robinson also confirmed International Regulators Forum themes as follow:
- Future regulatory structures and models
- Mobile communications: 5G rollout; satellite and space
- Consumer empowerment in a digital world
- Fixed broadband rollout
- Regulating digital platforms and intermediaries
- Online safety and safeguarding minors
- Protecting democracy online
Annual Conference themes include:
-Closing the digital divide
-Data governance
-AI governance
-Broadcasting evolution
-WRC-23 countdown
-Protection of online copyright and related rights
-Sustainability and the green agenda
-Trust, democracy, media freedom
Registration is still open. The early bird registration rate ended on August 31, and intending attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible to take advantage of the reduced registration rate, full details of which are available on the IIC website.