West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Meeting (WATRA) is in partnership with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) to foster regional telecommunications companies.
This relationship was cemented in Abuja when WATRA hosted CTU led by its Secretary Common, Rodney Taylor. The high-level assembly marked a pivotal second in fostering strategic partnerships between West Africa and the Caribbean.
In opposition to the backdrop of shared challenges and rising alternatives in telecommunications, the discussions aimed to put a basis for transformative collaboration that would redefine regulatory practices and drive innovation throughout each areas.
Welcoming the delegation, Government Secretary of WATRA, Aliyu Aboki, described the go to as a defining second for each areas.
“Your presence right here right now underscores our shared dedication to strengthening regional and sub-regional ties, fostering significant peer-to-peer engagement, and advancing regulatory collaboration for the good thing about each West Africa and the Caribbean,” he stated.
In the course of the discussions, each organisations emphasised the worth of strengthening regional and sub-regional ties, advancing regulatory collaboration, and exploring progressive options in important areas equivalent to spectrum administration, broadband growth, satellite tv for pc companies, and Web governance. The leaders acknowledged the interconnected nature of contemporary telecommunications and the mutual advantages of working collectively.
The assembly additionally addressed shared challenges, together with funding constraints, the sovereignty of member states, and the necessity for lean organisational constructions. These hurdles, whereas important, had been framed as alternatives for inventive problem-solving. Reflecting on this, Taylor expressed optimism in regards to the path forward.
“We’re right here to study from you regarding your experiences, your challenges and how one can help us transferring ahead.” Collectively, we will obtain extra,” he affirmed.
The discussions delved into particular points affecting each organisations. The CTU’s efforts to determine a single ICT area within the Caribbean resonated with WATRA’s expertise as a consultative physique uniting 16 West African telecommunications regulators. Capability constructing, coverage harmonization, and data alternate emerged as key priorities.
Aboki highlighted the potential for Nigeria’s management in spectrum buying and selling and direct-to-device know-how to function a mannequin for collaboration and innovation. “Nigeria’s efforts in these areas are paving the way in which for financial development,” he stated. “Collaboration with the CTU will assist us develop these initiatives and share their advantages throughout areas.”
The assembly additionally addressed technical and coverage challenges, together with the implementation of Roaming Regulation, which was mentioned intimately by CTU representatives, Deputy Secretary Common & Head of Regional Coverage Improvement, Nigel Cassimire, and Director of Enterprise Improvement and Implementation Help, Gary Kalloo. They explored how bilateral agreements between operators, supported by regulators, might obtain regional alignment.
Cassimire additionally expressed curiosity in WATRA’s regulatory framework for non-geostationary satellite tv for pc orbit (NGSO) companies, which might provide priceless insights for the Caribbean.Trying forward, the CTU Secretary-Common prolonged an invite to WATRA to take part in upcoming CTU conferences, together with the Regulators Discussion board in Jamaica.
He additionally dedicated to consulting with member states on submarine cable points to organize for his participation within the forthcoming submarine cable summit in Nigeria. The opportunity of formalizing collaboration by means of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CTU and WATRA was mentioned, with potential involvement from the Japanese Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL).
Each organisations are dedicated to enhancing data alternate and useful resource sharing. In the course of the assembly, the Co-Chair of WATRA’s Infrastructure Working Group, Dr. Joseph Emeshili, highlighted spectrum administration and harmonisation initiatives within the sub-region.
His insights had been well-received by the CTU delegation, sparking a productive alternate of experiences from each areas. WATRA agreed to share Nigeria’s spectrum roadmap and nationwide frequency allocation desk with CTU, whereas CTU introduced plans to determine a small working group to information Caribbean regulators on spectrum administration and preparation for the upcoming World Radiocommunication Convention (WRC).
