Connecting the world and beyond

Workshop on Cost Models for Data Services and International Internet Connectivity Cost

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) organized a workshop on Cost Models for Data Services and International Internet Connectivity Cost in Lilongwe, Malawi on 8 - 9 April 2024. The workshop was kindly hosted by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA). Remote participation was provided for the workshop.

The wokshop was followed by the second meeting of the ITU-T Focus Group on Cost Models for Affordable Data Services (FG-CD) and a meeting ITU-T Study Group 3 Regional Group for Africa (SG3RG-AFR) taking place on 10 - 12 April 2024 at the same venue, see TSB Collective letter 3/SG3RG-AFR.

The mandate of FG-CD is to analyse the supply-chain of telecom/ICT, the multiple cost models and pricing strategies used for mobile data services and Internet services and study the policy, economic, regulatory and standardization aspects related to cost models for affordable data services, including best practices of cost assessment methodologies and economic models. The group operates under the procedures set out in Recommendation ITU-T A.7 and within its agreed terms of reference.

Objectives

Discussing the different cost models used for mobile data and international internet connectivity in different regions;
Discussing the challenges facing regulators in emerging economies with regards to affordability of mobile data and Internet connectivity;
And highlighting the work on cost models for affordable data services at regional and international levels and best practices that would be relevant to the Focus Group work

Target Audience

Participation in the workshop and the focus group meeting was open to ITU Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academic Institutions and to any individual from a country that is a member of ITU and who wishes to contribute to the work. This included individuals who are also members of international, regional and national organizations. Participation in this workshop was free of charge.

Watch recording - 8 April 2024

Watch recording - 9 April 2024