GSMA APAC Spectrum campaign in the Pacific Islands leading to WRC-19

The Pacific Islands represent one third of the 38 Member States of the ITU in the APAC region. GSMA is working towards achieving favourable regional positions in support of the identification of spectrum for mobile broadband, useful for 5G in the millimetre-wave spectrum bands, at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19). Hence, participation of the Pacific Islands and their support through the regional processes, and at WRC-19 itself, could be of significant impact to the outcomes of the Conference for APAC.

Pacific Island states held their 23rd Pacific Islands Telecommunication Association (PITA) annual general meeting in Nadi (8-11 April). GSMA was a major participant at the meeting, delivering interventions across important areas for the mobile industry in the Pacific including Spectrum, 5G planning, and mobile for development. The GSMA Director General, Mats Granryd, delivered the opening keynote, while GSMA Spectrum and GSMA Mobile 4 Development delivered interventions and speaking sessions to advance the mobile interests in the Pacific. Through the PITA engagement, we achieved a higher level of awareness amongst Pacific Islands on the importance of their participation in regional spectrum processes. Similarly, we also accomplished placing 5G planning and millimetre-wave identification at WRC-19 in the agenda of regulators in the Pacific. The GSMA also launched the report titled “The Mobile Economy in the Pacific Islands” which can be downloaded from the link above.