Ensuring affordable spectrum is crucial for expanding digital connectivity and fostering economic growth, said M Emdad Ul Bari, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

He made this remark at the inauguration of a three-day international symposium on spectrum management in Dhaka yesterday.

He emphasised that high spectrum prices could burden service providers, potentially hampering infrastructure expansion and service quality.

The symposium, organised by the BTRC, brings together key stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The event features participation from over 200 representatives, including heads of regulatory bodies, telecom operators, government officials, and ICT experts from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Iran, Australia, Mongolia, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Laos.

Several associate members of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) are attending the event, including representatives from Singapore's CISCO and INMARSAT, GSMA (Hong Kong), Japan's KDDI Corporation, the Global Satellite Operators Association, Amazon, Meta, Starlink, Qualcomm India, Huawei Technologies, Telenor Asia, Australia's Palace Consulting, and Japan's National Institute of Communication and Technology.

The BTRC chairman further said that APT is closely collaborating with member countries, industry leaders, and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive spectrum roadmap.

This initiative will enhance spectrum management strategies, pricing policies, regulatory frameworks, and regional coordination efforts.

Stressing the importance of long-term investment, he warned that ineffective spectrum management could impose financial burdens on service providers, hindering infrastructure expansion and service quality improvement.

Md Mushfiqur Rahman, secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, emphasised the rarity and value of radio spectrum.

He said efficient spectrum use is vital for a nation's socio-economic and technological advancement.

He added that APT member countries could leverage this symposium to exchange technological insights and maximise the telecom sector's potential.

APT Secretary General Masanori Kondo underscored the significance of the symposium for policymakers, telecom regulators, and technology firms involved in spectrum management.

The discussions will generate valuable perspectives on national spectrum strategies, spectrum roadmaps, and regulatory policies, contributing to effective policy formulation, he added.

The symposium aims to evaluate outcomes from the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) in Dubai and discuss emerging ICT innovations and regional cooperation in spectrum management.

Key topics include national spectrum strategy and digital connectivity, spectrum policy considerations for rural and remote connectivity, spectrum valuation and roadmap development, and best practices in spectrum management among APT member countries.

The event aligns with the APT's Strategic Plan 2024-2026, which prioritises a favourable regulatory environment for spectrum use in the Asia-Pacific region.

The plan emphasises ensuring spectrum availability for new applications, enhancing spectrum efficiency, and fostering regional and global cooperation.

Throughout the three-day event, 12 sessions will explore various aspects of spectrum management, including valuation methodologies, regulatory considerations, and innovative spectrum management techniques.

The discussions are expected to foster high-level collaboration between policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders, promoting enhanced digital connectivity across the region.