24/03/2026
๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ช๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ ๐ฎโ๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ต ๐๐ป๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ
The 2026 GSMA Ministerial Programme focused on the question โWhat does progress look like?โ and highlighted how mobile connectivity now reaches nearly six billion people. Speakers stressed that past progress came from purposeful policy, cooperation, and long term planning while warning that the next phase will be shaped by geopolitical tensions, new digital governance models, and rapidly advancing AI. Governments were urged to preserve openness, interoperability, security, and investment-friendly regulation.
Three major themes dominated:
โข๐๐: Telecom networks are essential for responsible, scalable AI deployment.
โข๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐๐บ: Faster 5G rollout requires long-term, investment oriented spectrum policy, especially in low band frequencies for rural coverage.
โข๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐: Capital needs are rising globally, with the U.S., China, and the Gulf advancing quickly, while Europe struggles with fragmented regulation.
Multilateral bodies (OECD, ITU, UNHCR) emphasized connectivity as a critical public good that supports access, affordability, security, and humanitarian needs warning that digital fragmentation threatens future innovation and global cooperation, including for 6G and AI.
A discussion with the U.S. FCC outlined Americaโs spectrum and infrastructure โbuild agenda,โ cautioning Europe about restrictive โsatellite sovereigntyโ policies. The EU highlighted reforms aimed at competitiveness and modernized regulation. Industry leaders reiterated that Europe needs scale and regulatory certainty to attract investment.
Deep dive sessions examined AIโs heavy energy requirements, global gaps in AI readiness, and the rapid rise of satellite direct to device services. Satellite connectivity was positioned as vital for remote areas and disaster resilience. Regulators were encouraged to clarify rules for spectrum sharing, emergency use, and security. Caribbean sessions reviewed Appleโs satellite SOS and related regulatory considerations.
Other discussions addressed island state challenges including service quality, regulator operator coordination, tower sharing, and whether to replace microwave backhaul with subsea fiber.
The Programme concluded by calling for a future of connectivity that is resilient, inclusive, secure, and supported by long-term investment and international cooperation.
๐ง๐๐ฟ๐ธ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ง๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป (๐ง๐๐) ๐ข๐๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐
For the TCI Telecommunications Commission, the event provided valuable guidance on spectrum planning, AI driven network evolution, cybersecurity, and satellite to device technology key for small island states. These insights will support improved regulatory certainty, resilience, emergency communications, and national digital development strategy.
The Commission held strategic meetings with:
โข๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ on enabling default satellite emergency calling on Apple devices.
โข๐ฃ๐ซ๐ฆ to progress number portability.
โข๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ on modernizing telecom and ICT legislation.
โข๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป on sector development and regulatory improvements.
TCI also joined the GSMA Caribbean Roundtable, where regional regulators discussed use of satellite/D2D for resilience, AI opportunities and governance challenges, and strategies for strengthening network reliability. The importance of international partnerships for digital inclusion and sustainable regional development was strongly emphasized.