- Samantha O'Riordan
- Nancy Johanne Sundberg
Intermediate
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Event organizer(s)
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Description
This course is primarily based on the ITU/World Bank digital regulation platform, the ITU FCDO universal access and service financing efficiency toolkit and ITU MSIT innovative technologies trainings with a focus on the following aspects: digital transformation strategies, regulatory and collaborative governance, evidence-based decision making, competition and economics (market analysis), universal access and service financing efficiency, data governance and consumer protection, transformative technologies regulatory aspects and emerging technologies including AI technology aspects and their societal impact.
The scope of this course is to examine specific aspects of digital transformation policies and regulation to enhance further knowledge of participants on the issues at stake.
The course therefore does not provide for an in-depth analysis of each and every regulatory aspect of digital regulation but enables participants to get a deeper understanding and greater knowledge on specific aspects of policy and regulation in a digital world.
The training will be organized by ITU and partners (UK FCDO and Korea Rep. MSIT) for their members and other regional regulatory associations and their members.
The target audience for this course is ICT regional regulatory associations, ICT/Telecommunications regulators, other relevant regulatory agencies and ICT policy-makers.
It is important for participants to be working for a regional regulatory association, a regulator, ministry or in the ICT/Telecoms sector and understand the ICT policy and regulatory environment.
To allow participants to be better equipped to navigate the challenges associated with digital transformation while protecting users and creating competitive environments for the sector to thrive, by getting a more in-depth understanding and deeper knowledge of policy and regulatory approaches in the digital ecosystem, the importance of collaborative approaches to regulation as digital transformation is sweeping across all sectors and to gain insights on the latest regulatory developments and global trends.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Examine how to develop a digital transformation strategy, the different roles and responsibilities in the digital ecosystem, the evolution of regulation and how the digital environment is affecting and redefining markets, policy and regulatory frameworks, businesses and consumers.
- Explore the regulatory issues at stake in this environment, to be better equipped to respond to the fast-changing digital environment, understanding what is new, what are the basics that still apply, the need for collaborative governance, and what needs to change to better assess how this applies to their national circumstances.
- Outline core data governance concepts in regulatory contexts.
- Use good practices.
This course will be delivered through face-to-face instructor-led sessions.[FK1] [SN2] The course is delivered using power-point slides posted on the course page and selected reference materials that the participants must revise and study. Additionally, they must participate in all three days of the training course and undertake self-assessments.
Participants will reinforce their understanding of the topics studied by drawing on their specific environments and are encouraged to consult with experienced colleagues who are working on a relevant topic. The following methods will be used for this course:
- Self-study of PPTs and reference materials;
- Final quiz at the end of the core sessions.
Participants’ performance in this training will be determined using a combination of grades for the group discussions, session participation and self-assessment quizzes:
- Participation in the group discussions will be awarded 20 per cent.
- Self-Assessments quizzes (6 questions per quiz) will be worth 80 per cent of the final grade of the course.
A total score higher than 70% is required to obtain the ITU certificate.
Day 1: Tuesday, 30 September 2025
9h30-10h00 Welcome
Opening of and introduction to the training
Presentations and group discussions
10h00-11h00
Session 1: Introduction to digital regulation and ITU’s regulatory tools and frameworks
This introductory session will provide an overview of digital regulation, collaborative governance and regulatory tools developed by ITU to assist policy makers and regulators in making informed and evidence-based decisions.
11h00-12h30
Session 2: Developing /reviewing a digital transformation strategy
This session examines the necessary steps and essential elements to be considered when developing/reviewing a national digital transformation strategy by examining what needs to be achieved, why it is important, the role of monitoring and evaluation, and how to do it. The purpose of this session is to provide concrete guidance in implementing the 4 phases of the digital transformation development cycle.
14h00-15h00
Session 3: Regulatory governance and evidence-based decision-making
This session examines how the roles of ICT regulatory authorities are shifting in the digital regulatory environment, the importance of objective, transparent, agile and evidence-based decision-making processes, and the importance of data collection and analysis. It will examine mechanisms for intergovernmental collaboration, cross-border collaboration, collaboration in the framework of regional and international organizations and stakeholder engagement to create an enabling digital environment for sustainable development.
15h00-16h00
Session 4: Competition, market analysis and economics
This session will examine how the new digital environment is affecting the structure of communication services markets, creating new market dynamics that require substantially different forms of economic regulation. The session will therefore examine market analysis, dominance determination, obligations and remedies in the digital era looking at different scenarios to assess what needs to be modified or replaced to be effective and relevant in the digital economy.
Day 2: Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Access for all: universal service financing efficiency
(ITU-FCDO)
09h00-11h00
Session 6: The Universal access financing toolbox
Public funding is limited and as such must be used strategically in order to achieve broad national objectives to get the desired return on social, economic and financial investment. This session will discuss the roles of public versus private funding in universal access and service, and introduce innovative financing approaches such as blended finance. It will further identify regulatory incentives and financing tools that can be used to reduce costs and risks and to incentivize investment.
Breakout/group discussions
11h15-12h15
Session 7: Deep dive into designing, implementing and maintaining impactful universal service programmes
This aspect of the training is focused on productive use of Universal Access and Service funds either through subsidies, grants or self-initiated projects. It will provide a deep dive into grant making and management and assessing needs and selection of target communities for optimal impact. Further discussions will focus around translating identified needs into keys elements from project conceptualization, design, implementation, evaluation and reporting. The session will also provide participants with useful knowledge and good procurement practices in the management of universal access and service funds.
14h00-15h15
Session 8: Emerging solutions and approaches to sustainable connectivity and adoption programmes
This session aims to support participants in planning, designing, and assessing inclusive connectivity strategies and programmes. It will use existing public good connectivity programmes as examples and explain the necessary research to design impactful school connectivity projects, how to improve conditions for investment and collaboration, and possible models to sustain and scale initiatives. Emerging solutions and approaches to sustainable connectivity and adoption programmes.
Interactive discussion
15h45-17h00
Session 9: Case studies on innovative funds for extending Universal service
This session will examine practical cases of emerging solutions and approaches to sustainable connectivity and adoption programmes, including the use of village funds in Indonesia.
Day 3: Thursday, 2 October 2025
Emerging technologies development for digital transformation (Vlad to modify)
(ITU-MSCIT)
09h30-12h30
Session 10: Emerging Technologies for Promoting Last Mile Access to ICTs –
Part 1. Understanding Emerging Technologies and Their Societal Impact
This session will provide an overview of emerging technologies and discuss their relevance to society’s prosperity, job transformation, and the development of new skills
- Introduction to Emerging Technologies
- Overview of AI, LEO constellation satellites, IoT, Big Data, Cloud Computing, and 5G.
- Brief history and evolution of these technologies.
- Current state and future potential
- Relevance to Society’s Prosperity Enhancing decision-making, predictive analytics, and automation.LEO Satellites: Expanding internet access to remote and underserved areas.
- IoT: Creating smart environments (homes, cities, agriculture).
- Big Data: Informing policy decisions and driving innovation.
- Cloud Computing: Providing scalable and cost-effective infrastructure.
- Enabling faster, more reliable connectivity, and supporting IoT and AI applications.
- Data governance and emerging technologies
The transformative impact of emerging technologies—Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain—on data governance, privacy, and regulatory frameworks, in international and cross-border contexts.
Q&A and Discussion: Open floor for participants to ask questions and share thoughts.
- Presentation slides
- Q&A
14h00 – 15h30
Session 11 - Emerging Technologies for Promoting Last Mile Access to ICTs –
Part 2. - Practical Applications and Case Studies
This session will showcase real-world use cases of emerging technologies and discuss their impact on connectivity, disaster management, education, and digital literacy.
- AI for Identifying Connectivity Gaps
- Case studies of AI-driven tools to map and analyze connectivity needs and regional status.
- Use of machine learning models to predict areas lacking ICT infrastructure.
- Implementation examples from different regions.
- Using Emerging Technologies to connect public institutions (health centres, schools, posts offices, municipalities, etc) and Promoting Digital Literacy
- Initiatives leveraging LEO satellites to provide internet access to remote areas
- Use of cloud-based platforms for remote learning.
- AI tools to personalize learning experiences and enhance educational outcomes.
- Programs focused on teaching digital skills and literacy to students and teachers
- Interactive Group Activity
- Divide participants into small groups.
- Assign each group a scenario where they need to apply one or more emerging technologies to solve a connectivity or digital literacy challenge.
- Groups present their solutions to the larger audience.
- Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways from the session
- Summarize the key points discussed throughout the day.
- Highlight the importance of collaboration between governments, private sector, and communities.
- Encourage participants to stay informed and proactive about emerging technologies.
Closing thoughts and future steps for continuing education and collaboration.
- Presentation slides
- Case study handouts
- Group activity worksheets
- Internet access for live demos (if applicable)
- Q&A
15h30 - 16h00
Session 11 – Economic and financial aspects of Emerging technologies
This training session focuses on the role of regulatory, economic, and financial measures in enabling the sustainable adoption and deployment of new technologies. It will examine how regulations foster innovation. Participants will also learn about economic incentives, such as subsidies and tax benefits, and financial strategies like funding models and risk management, essential for scaling new technologies. Through case studies and expert insights, the session presents typical practical tools to create enabling environments for sustainable innovations, offering knowledge on strategies to align technology with long-term sustainability goals.
16h00-16h30
Session 12 – Review of ITU study on the state of Emerging technologies in the ASP region
Overview of strategies and regulatory measures adopted or planned on emerging technologies in the Asia-Pacific Region, comparation with a global perspective
17h00-17h30
Closing
Final discussion and closing
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
