Conference Agenda

Morning

10:20 – 10:25

Welcome Address

Abdou Karim Sall, Director General, ARTP

10:25 – 10:40

Opening Ceremony

Paul Adamson, Chairman, Forum Global
Andrew Rugege, Regional Director, ITU

10:40 – 10:45

Official conference opening from:

Yaya Abdoul Kane, Minister of Post, Information and Communication Technologies

10:45 – 12:00

Session 1: Keynote Presentations

Papa Cire Cissé, Director of Radiocommunications, Network and Services, ARTP

10:45 – 11:10

Keynote Presentation

Ben Ba, Head of the Terrestrial Publication and Registration Division, ITU

11:10 – 11:35

Keynote Presentation

Abdoulkarim Soumaila, Secretary General, African Telecommuniations Union

11:35 – 12:00

Keynote Presentation

Eric Fournier, Chairman, Electronic Communications Committee, CEPT

Afternoon

12:00 – 13:30

Lunch Break

13:30 – 15:00

Session 2: Post WRC-15 thought leadership roundtable: Making spectrum work for Africa

In the emerging markets of Africa, the potential of communications technology to drive forward economic growth and deliver social benefits is arguably greater than anywhere else in the world. And spectrum policy is fundamental to these ambitions being realised. Taking last year’s WRC-15 as a starting point, but ultimately focusing much more broadly at the way in which spectrum policy in Africa is formulated at a global, regional and national level, this session will look at what needs to be done by governments, policymakers and stakeholders throughout the region to develop coherent spectrum policy frameworks and truly ensure that the value of spectrum is maximized for Africa, its member states and its 1.2 billion citizens.

- What should be the overarching goals and priorities for African policymakers when making spectrum policy decisions?
- What co-ordination on spectrum policy is currently seen between African member-states, and how can it be ensured that countries are working together for the benefit of all?
- What were the key outcomes of WRC-15 for African stakeholders, and to what extent can they help African states to continue to work towards and achieve these goals?
- How can Africa continue to ensure that its voice is heard on a global level, and take advantage of the increasing influence that it holds on the international stage?
- Following WRC-15, some countries have decided to go against decisions that were taken by the conference (notably relating to the use of 5G in the 28Ghz band), and instead look at developing their own national/regional plans. Is it feasible at some point in the future that Africa may consider a similar strategy in order to ensure that bandplan and timing decisions are fully in the best needs of the region, and what would the pros and cons of this be?
- Where does the balance lie between coordinating decisions on bandplan and timing of release at a global level, and thinking more regionally?
- How can it be truly ensured that spectrum is working for Africa?
Andrew Rugege, Regional Director, ITU

13:30 – 14:45

Roundtable discussion

Elizabeth Migwalla, Senior Director and Head of Government Affairs, Africa, Qualcomm
Antony Chigaazira, Executive Secretary, CRASA
Souhila Amazouz, Senior Radio Communication Officer, African Union Commission
Benjamin Mouandza Mboundzou, Directeur des Ressources en Frequences, ARCPE, Republic of Congo

14:45 – 15:05

Thinking Point - Spectrum for mission critical and business critical services

Brahim Ghribi, Director of Government Affairs, Middle East and Africa, Nokia

15:05 – 15:30

Afternoon Coffee

15:30 – 16:15

Session 3: Mapping the future of the 700Mhz & 800Mhz bands

African delegates to ITU world radiocommunication conferences were the key drivers towards the allocation of both 800MHz and the 700MHz first and second digital dividends at WRC-2007 and WRC-2012 respectively. With the lower edge of the 700MHz allocation finalized at 694MHz during the WRC-15, regulators are faced with the decision of whether they should clear both bands together or just concentrate on the 800MHz band at this stage and go for a staggered transition. This session will look at the current situation in the region and at the approaches that various countries are taking. Ultimately it will look at the best way forward for individual countries and for the region as a whole in order to ensure that the long-term benefit of the digital dividend in both the 700MHz and 800MHz band is maximized as soon as possible.
Bashir Gwandu, Chairman, Commonwealth ITU Group

15:30 – 15:45

Presentation: Digital switchover - Progress and roadmap ahead

Mamadou Baal, Consultant, African Union of Broadcasting

15:45 – 16:00

Presentation: The approach to re-planning the digital dividend bands in Senegal

Mamadou Mandialy Bodian, Head of Spectrum Management Services, ARTP Senegal

16:00 – 16:15

Case Study: The approach to re-planning the digital dividend bands in Botswana

Basebi Mosinyi, Manager Spectrum Planning, BOCRA

16:15 – 16:30

Case Study: The approach to re-planning the digital dividend bands in Tanzania

Andrew Kisaka, Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)

16:30 – 16:45

A view from outside the region

Kelly O'Keefe, Chief, Multilateral & Regional Affairs Branch, U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

16:45 – 17:30

Interactive Discussion

Evening

17:30 – 19:00

Drinks and networking reception

Morning

09:10 – 12:30

Session 4: Towards 4G & 5G: Developing a spectrum strategy to unleash the next generations of connectivity in Africa

Whilst in other parts of the world there is currently a huge focus on finding spectrum to power 5G, many parts of Africa are still in reality working to realise the full potential of 4G. Split into 2 parts, this afternoon’s sessions will look at what is being done in to ensure that the bandwidth and connectivity is available to both quicken the uptake of 4G services; and also ensure that the region is not left behind in the roll out of 5G.

09:10 – 09:30

Introductory Presentation: Developing a spectrum strategy to unleash the next generations of connectivity in Africa

Elizabeth Migwalla, Senior Director and Head of Government Affairs, Africa, Qualcomm

09:30 – 10:50

Session 4i: Delivering the bandwidth and connectivity to accelerate the roll-out of uptake of 4G services

This session will look at the band options that are being considered to provide the needed capacity for 4G technologies, and at how it can be ensured that this is made available in a timely and efficient manner. It will look at the potential that the refarming of existing spectrum has to provide capacity, and at the best way forward for those countries and regions who have not yet achieved widespread 3G deployment and are looking to jump straight from 2G to 4G.

- How much spectrum do African MNOs need and when for 4G and next generation deployment?
- What role will 4G play in delivering reliable and secure public safety networks, and how can the spectrum requirements be met here?
- How can it be ensured that this spectrum is made available in a timely and efficient manner?
- What bands offer the best options to find the available spectrum?
- What is the latest situation with regards to the release of the 2.6Ghz band, and what potential does this offer alongside the digital dividend bands in helping to deliver super-fast broadband services?
- Given the decisions taken at WRC-15 to allocate the 3.3GHz – 3.4Ghz band for IMT, what should the next steps be for Africa in this area?
- What can be done to help speed up the roll-out of 4G?
- Taking into account the fact that 3G is not yet widespread in many regions in the continent, how can African networks best meet the challenge of leapfrogging from 2G to 4G technology, and to what extent can bandplans and rules in Europe be adopted?
- What potential does the refarming of existing spectrum bands have for meeting the requirements of 4G technology, and how can the process of refarming be accelerated?

Moderator: Amit Nagpal, Partner, Aetha Consulting

Austin Nwaulune, Director Spectrum Administration, Nigeria Communications Commission
Erwan Le Fur, Spectrum Engineer, Orange
Alessandro Casagni, Director, Wireless Regulatory Policy EMEA, Wireless Network Product Line, Huawei Technologies
Khalilou Niane, Director of Radiocommunications, ARTP Senegal

10:50 – 11:10

Morning Coffee

11:10 – 12:30

Session 4ii: Ensuring Africa is part of the 5G revolution

The last session discussed how best to realize the full potential of 4G in Africa. Alongside this however, there is also the need for regulators and stakeholders to start thinking about 5G. There is a global drive currently and Africa needs to act now to avoid being left behind and think long term in ensuring that sufficient spectrum is made available in the appropriate frequency bands. Focussing both on the candidate bands have been identified for discussion at WRC-19, and at broader strategies that are being developed in the region, this session will look at the specific benefits that 5G can offer Africa across different vertical markets, and how the requirements to achieve this can be met.

- What potential does 5G offer Africa, and what spectrum will be required to meet this?
- What different connectivity requirements are seen across vertical sectors as they look to ensure the potential of 5G is maximised?
- What will be the role in 5G delivery for the different parts of the frequency band, and what will the decisions taken to focus on millimeter bands for 5G technologies at WRC-19 mean for stakeholders?
- Where can the spectrum be found to meet the demand for 5G, both in terms of providing the additional capacity and also achieving ubiquitous coverage?
- Which bands are likely to see 5G deployment first, and to what extent can requirements be met by operators refarming existing spectrum rather than seeking new bands?
- What is the right technology mix to deliver the widespread roll-out of 5G connectivity throughout Africa?

Moderator: Jean-Jacques Massima-Landji, Central Africa and Madagascar Representative, ITU

Rosine Dzonteu, Global Spectrum Regulatory Policy, ESOA
Galiam Ouedraogo, Head of Radio Spectrum Planification and Coordination Service, ARCEP
Aurelie Adam Soule Zoumarou, Senior Policy Manager, Africa, GSMA
Shiv. K. Bakhshi, Vice President, Ericsson

Afternoon

12:30 – 13:45

Lunch Break

13:45 – 14:00

Thinking Point – Overcoming limited resources and a challenging environment to develop and implement a national spectrum plan

Mohamed Ibrahim, Head, National ICT and Digital Economy Office

14:00 – 15:30

Session 5: Connecting the unconnected: Spectrum policies to help bring affordable connectivity to all

Developing a model to deliver low cost and sustainable connectivity in rural and peri-urban areas and to tackle the digital divide is a priority for almost all governments in Africa. This session will offer delegates the opportunity to hear a regulatory perspective, followed by presentations on a number of the various technological and regulatory options available to achieve this and deliver affordable broadband connectivity to rural communities, before a discussion on best-practice and the best way forward.

Moderator: Kezias Mwale, Radiocommunications Coordinator, ATU

14:00 – 14:15

Presentation: Facing up to the regulatory challenge of delivering universal service

Representative, Head of Universal Service Department, ARTP Senegal

14:15 – 14:30

Presentation: Developing the footprint of mobile networks

Representative, GSA

14:30 – 14:45

Presentation: Satellite

Cecil Ameil, Senior Manager. European Affairs, SES

14:45 – 15:00

Presentation: The Facebook Connectivity Lab

Chris Weasler, Head of Spectrum Policy and Connectivity Planning, Facebook

15:00 – 15:25

Interactive discussion

15:25 – 15:45

Afternoon Coffee

15:45 – 17:15

Workshop: A Spectrum awards, pricing & valuation masterclass - ensuring a competitive, sustainable and innovative market

Since 1998, around $15bn worth of wireless spectrum has been sold by governments in Africa. Over the next few years, a number of countries across the Africa region are considering the most appropriate approaches to take in order to sell or seek to value important frequency bands as they prepare for licence renewals or spectrum awards. Whilst many may opt for auctions, other approaches such as comparative tender (beauty contests) and ‘first-come-first-served’ are often also seen as options, and this session will offer the opportunity to hear from experts on where and when different award methods may be appropriate and the factors that should be considered when making a decision. In addition, the session will look at best practice in valuing spectrum in the region, and at the tools that are available to assist with this

Moderator: Amit Nagpal, Partner, Aetha Consulting

15:45 – 16:00

Presentation: Best practice in spectrum pricing and assignment

Graham Friend, Managing Director, Coleago Consulting

16:00 – 16:15

Presentation: Spectrum expert on selecting an award strategy

Jozef Svrcek, CEO, Specure

16:15 – 16:30

Presentation: An industry perspective

Shergen Padayachee, Executive Head, Technology & Wholesale, Vodacom Group

16:30 – 17:15

Interactive discussion

Evening

17:15 – 17:30

Wrap Up and Conclusions

Malick N'Diaye, Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Senegal