By Rolla Hassan, Ph.D
The GSMA Mobile Future for the Benefit of Billions workshop held on December 4, 2024, in Cairo was a landmark event. It convened industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts to discuss innovative strategies and initiatives to shape a sustainable and inclusive digital future. With participants from more than 10 African countries and a packed agenda of thought-provoking discussions, the workshop addressed the critical challenges and opportunities for advancing Egypt’s digital economy and enhancing global connectivity.
A Vision for Egypt: The Egyptian Digital Economy Strategy (EDES) 2030
The highlight of the workshop was the unveiling of the Egyptian Digital Economy Strategy (EDES) 2030 framework. Designed to empower sustainable growth and digital transformation, EDES 2030 is built on key principles of inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration. The framework was meticulously crafted using a multi-step process involving SWOT and PESTEL analyses, stakeholder engagement, and benchmarking international best practices.
Foundational Approaches and Strategic Anchors
The EDES 2030 framework rests on four foundational approaches:
- Integrative Approach: Merging diverse ideas and ensuring cross-sectoral synergy.
- Collaborative Approach: Leveraging multidisciplinary expertise across public and private sectors.
- Opportunity Balance Approach: Exploring untapped opportunities while mitigating opportunity costs.
- Future-Proof Approach: Preparing for technological evolution and socio-economic shifts.
Eight strategic anchors were proposed to guide the strategy’s implementation:
- Developing world-class infrastructure.
- Enhancing a dynamic investment environment.
- Bridging the gap for emerging technologies (ETs) adoption.
- Promoting localization and export growth.
- Advancing state-of-the-art skills development.
- Fostering innovation for a future-proof ecosystem.
- Achieving national digital sovereignty.
- Establishing a robust digital economy regulatory framework.
Prioritized Emerging Technologies
A detailed analysis prioritized technologies based on their potential impact. The Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Computing, and Big Data were identified as high-priority areas, followed by advancements in 5G, blockchain, and quantum computing.
Spectrum Licensing: Balancing Costs and Connectivity
The workshop delved deeply into the implications of spectrum pricing on network deployment and connectivity quality. Drawing on empirical studies and regional comparisons, the discussion revealed:
- High Spectrum Prices: These were shown to slow down the rollout of advanced networks such as 4G and 5G, especially in developing nations.
- Policy Recommendations: The need for governments to lower spectrum costs, streamline assignment processes, and release spectrum promptly to foster investment and innovation.
Notably, comparisons of spectrum costs as a percentage of operator revenue highlighted disparities in the Middle East and North Africa, with Egypt among the regions striving for better cost-efficiency.
Bridging the Connectivity Gap
One of the most pressing discussions centered on overcoming the connectivity gap through technological and policy interventions. Speakers identified major factors, including geographical challenges, affordability issues, and regulatory hurdles. Proposed solutions included:
- Deploying low-band spectrum for enhanced rural connectivity.
- Encouraging Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions to bridge infrastructure deficits.
- Promoting affordable device availability to ensure inclusivity.
The session also emphasized the importance of a predictable and collaborative policy environment to incentivize private-sector investments.
Embracing Emerging Technologies and Preparing for 6G
The future of mobile connectivity took center stage with discussions on transitioning from 5G to 6G. Key takeaways included:
- Digital-Physical Fusion: Enabling dynamic interactions between physical and digital worlds to unlock unprecedented possibilities in automation and human augmentation.
- Sustainability Goals: The goal of achieving a tenfold increase in capacity while reducing power consumption by 50%.
- Spectrum Harmonization: A unified global approach to spectrum allocation was deemed essential for realizing the 6G vision.
Workshops on sunsetting legacy technologies such as 2G and 3G underscored the need for proactive planning, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness campaigns to facilitate smooth transitions.
Showcasing Collaboration: Eutelsat’s Role in Bridging the Digital Divide
The event also featured a presentation by Eutelsat, highlighting their innovative GEO-LEO satellite integration. Their approach exemplifies how advanced satellite technologies can support global connectivity solutions for underserved areas. Key innovations included their flexible service plans, secure infrastructure, and applications spanning government, maritime, and aviation sectors.
The Path Forward: Policy and Implementation
The success of the discussed strategies hinges on effective implementation. The workshop concluded with a call for governments and stakeholders to:
- Modernize regulatory frameworks to accommodate emerging technologies.
- Lower administrative barriers to enable faster technology rollouts.
- Foster public-private partnerships to ensure inclusive growth.
Conclusion
The GSMA Mobile Future workshop underscored the complex, interconnected nature of modern telecommunications. By addressing spectrum pricing, embracing emerging technologies, and fostering collaborative approaches, stakeholders can work towards more inclusive, efficient, and innovative mobile connectivity solutions.
The event demonstrated that the future of mobile technology lies not just in technological advancement, but in strategic planning, regulatory flexibility, and a commitment to bridging global digital divides.
Telecom Analysis 
Leave a comment