African Internet Resilience #2: Shared Spectrum Strategies to Increase Affordable Access in Rural Areas

The Internet plays in developing Africa’s economy. Yet Internet access challenges are leaving many Africans behind during this time of crisis and deepening existing inequalities.

Recently, regulators are accelerating developments to release spectrum aimed at increasing access to connectivity to more people. This might help networks cope with spikes in traffic as well as increase connectivity in urban areas, where spectrum is popular. It could also help rural areas of Africa that are often disconnected and inaccessible.

This webinar organized by the African Union Commission (AU), the Internet Society (ISOC) and Mozilla in collaboration with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), and NetHope explored innovations in regulations that have the potential to improve affordable access to Internet in rural areas through shared spectrum strategies. Issues discussed included license exempt spectrum, dynamic spectrum management, as well as use it or share provisions for International Mobile Telecommunications Spectrum.

Presentations:

Watch the recorded livestream:


Image credit: © Internet Society / Nyani Quarmyne / Panos Pictures

Date and Time

13:00 – 14:30 UTC

Friday 26 June 2020

Location

Online

Featured speakers and panelists

Portrait photo  of Ntsibane Ntlatlapa

Ntsibane Ntlatlapa

Impact Area Manager, Network Systems and Applications, Council for Industrial and Scientific Research (CSIR)

Ntsibane has extensive knowledge in managing and directing projects with multiple international and local stakeholders. Managed Research, Development and Innovation teams ranging in size from six to 46 members and… Read more about Ntsibane Ntlatlapa

Portrait photo  of H Sama Nwana

H Sama Nwana

Managing Partner, Cenerva Ltd UK

Professor H Sama Nwana is Managing Partner of Cenerva Ltd, a boutique training-led consultancy on all TMT regulatory across emerging markets based in London. He is a regular speaker across… Read more about H Sama Nwana

Portrait photo  of Leonard Mabele

Leonard Mabele

IoT Research Lab, Strathmore University

Leonard Mabele is a self-driven, visionary, hardworking, and creative individual. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Mobile… Read more about Leonard Mabele

Portrait photo  of Martha Liliana Suarez Peñaloza

Martha Liliana Suarez Peñaloza

President, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA)

Martha Suarez was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia. She received her degree as Electronics Engineer from the Universidad Industrial de Santander in 2004. During her undergraduate studies she participated in an… Read more about Martha Liliana Suarez Peñaloza

Portrait photo  of Siew Yoon Tan

Siew Yoon Tan

Senior Technical Regulation Specialist, the Office of Communications (Ofcom)

Siew Yoon is Senior Technical Regulations Specialist in Ofcom and led Ofcom’s recent activity on local licensing in spectrum bands supporting mobile technology. She has over 18 years’ experience in… Read more about Siew Yoon Tan

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