Members of the above-mentioned target population are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:

• Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or have a minimum of three years of experience in a related field if they do not hold a university degree.
• Possess a fluent level of English.
• Complete the application questionnaire and attach an up-to-date CV, a recommendation letter from their employer, or a motivation letter.
• Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.

Selection criteria: 

• Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire and the recommendation/motivation letter of each applicant.

The maximum number of participants in this course is limited to 40.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Describe the advances in the technologies and infrastructures underpinning the delivery of telecommunications, broadcasting/audio-visual services, and Internet services and their convergence in the transition to smart environments
• Discuss the evolution of telecommunications, broadcast and other digital services markets
• Appreciate the implications of digital technology evolution for the digital divide
• Assess the implications of emerging digital technologies and market development for policy and regulation
• Understand the institutional capacities required to work on policy and regulatory challenges
• Engage in the extensive reading required for policy and regulatory leadership in the digital era

This course will include:

• Pre- and post-course recommended reading materials.
• Interactive lectures led by subject matter experts.
• A seminar featuring a panel of experts on disruptive technologies governance.
• A 6-week schedule:
  • 5 weeks of online interactive lectures (3 hours per week, one session per week).
  • 1 week dedicated to individual assignments.
• Participation in graded interactive workshops.
• A group assignment with a slide and verbal presentation.
• An individual short essay assignment, due at the end of Week 6.
• Optional participation in a discussion forum.

• Attendance Requirement: Minimum of 80%.
• Assessment Breakdown:
  • Interactive workshop activities: 40%.
  • Individual assignment: 60%.
• Passing Criteria:
  • The combined total score must be above 70% to earn the ITU certificate.
  • Both the workshop activities and individual assignment must be passed.
• Reassessment Opportunity:
  • Participants scoring below 70% will have one chance to revise or rewrite.

Week 1

• Session 1a: Governance in a digital age: Key concepts
  Key Learning Points:
  • Key concepts: datafication, diffusion, disembodiment, disintermediation, disruption, digital economy, information society, innovation, globalisation, networks, and platforms.
  • Key technologies: artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain, cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and augmented reality, metaverse, quantum computing, autonomous mobility.
  • Regulatory implications of these disruptive technologies.
• Session 1b: Disruptive applications and innovation creating smart environments
  Key Learning Points:
  • Disruptive applications at the confluence of IoT, AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and mixed reality.
  • Impact of autonomous mobility on creating smart environments.
  • Challenges of ethics, interoperability, cybersecurity, and data protection in adopting data-driven technologies.
• Session 1c: Initial guidance on preparing group and individual assignments
  Key Learning Points:
  • Strategies for reading technology-rich content.
  • Guidelines for group assignments.
  • Guidelines for individual assignments.
• Session 2a: The evolution of electronic communications networks
  Key Learning Points:
  • Analogue versus digital technologies.
  • Infrastructure: undersea cables, terrestrial cables, fibre access, and satellite networks.
  • New network architectures: SDN and Cloud.
  • Principles and standards of wireless communications.

Week 2

• Session 2b: Evolution of mobile technologies: from 1G to 5G and now 6G
  Key Learning Points:
  • Mobile cellular communication evolution.
  • Techniques to enhance data delivery: more spectrum, advanced technologies, and network densification.
  • Transition from 5G/IMT2020 to 6G/IMT2030.
• Session 3a: Foundations of spectrum management
  Key Learning Points:
  • Overview of the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Spectrum management definitions, needs, and terminologies.
  • Technological trends driving spectrum demand: dynamic spectrum access, TVWS.
  • Spectrum management structures and key issues.

Week 3

• Session 3b: Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in wireless networks
  Key Learning Points:
  • Radio frequency machine learning (RFML) concepts.
  • Selected machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques.
  • Use cases of DL in wireless networks.
• Session 3c: Status of 5G deployment, including spectrum assignment techniques
  Key Learning Points:
  • Current state of 5G deployment and spectrum allocation methods.
• Session 4a: Trends in digital broadcast technologies, audio-visual media, and research and development (R&D)
  Key Learning Points:
  • Emergence of wireless communication and broadcasting.
  • Analogue broadcasting basics: modulation techniques, RF spectrum planning.
  • Signal distribution: coverage planning, high-site management, shared infrastructure.
  • Broadcasting platforms, mobile video, and user-generated content.

Week 4

• Session 4b: Disruptive technology in audio-visual media services
  Key Learning Points:
  • Changing consumer behaviour: linear and non-linear video, OTT television, streaming video services.
  • Implications for regulation, ISPs, and broadcast service providers.
  • Group presentation finalisation with lecturer guidance.
• Session 5a: Digital technologies and markets as enablers of the digital economy
  Key Learning Points:
  • Internet market trends and growth patterns.
  • Broadband market trends and growth patterns.
  • Digital services and businesses influencing Internet diffusion and broadband uptake.

Week 5

• Session 5b: Mobile financial services (MFS), fintech, and cross-border trade
  Key Learning Points:
  • Evolution of MFS: cash to digital economies.
  • Interoperability and integrated cross-border payment systems.
  • GovStack Payments Tech Specifications.
  • Financial inclusion and addressing the digital divide.
  • Data collection and innovation in fintech.
• Session 5c: Disruptive technologies in Internet applications
  Key Learning Points:
  • Small academic/industry panel assessment of group presentations.

Week 6

• Individual Assignment Submission