Conference Agenda

Opening Keynote Session

Examining the Developments in West & Central Africa’s Communications Market

• Future plans for the group’s expansion in the region: are there plans to enter new markets?
• Facing competition from new entrants and smaller players such as ISP: how can large operators respond?
• Using new technologies to provide new services and benefi t from convergence
• Making use of the regional presence to provide improved services and improve business models

• Examining MTN’s foothold in the region and its plans for growth
• How to position the group in a market dominated by large international operators?
• Which markets are most attractive for new entrants and what are the future opportunities?

• Examining the subscription numbers and penetration levels in the region
• Forecasting future trends and what will affect the markets in the coming years
• Assessing the level of competition between mobile operators, fi xed-line operators and wireless service providers

The importance of telecommunications in Nigeria’s economic and social development

• Re-defining the role of the regulator as markets come closer to maturity in the region: is a new approach needed?
• Examining how technology neutral licensing is affecting the communications market and how the model can be extended to the rest of the region
• Finding the right balance between a regulatory framework that creates a dynamic market and protecting the consumers’ interests

• Examining the evolution of Nigeria’s communications market towards more consolidation and convergence
• Why is Nigeria at the forefront of technology and regulatory innovation?
• Anticipating future growth in the country and which players will dominate the market in the years to come

Panellists: Ogugua Chioke, Chairman, GSM, Nigeria Amina Oyagbola, Executive for Corporate Affairs, MTN, Nigeria Senator Sylvester N. Anyanwu, Chairman, Committee on Communications, Senate Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria (to be confirmed)

• Examining the current penetration in Nigeria and how far it has to grow to reach universal coverage
• Developing strategies to improve coverage in hard to reach and poorer areas
• Providing innovative services, prices and distribution methods to reach more customers

• Examining the NCC’s objectives in launching technology neutral licensing
• Assessing the licensing process and who the licenses were awarded to # First evaluation of the process: how has it affected Nigeria’s communications market and what lessons can be learned by other countries?

• Examining Starcomms’ business model and how it entered the wireless broadband market
• Choosing the right technology for the model: how to evaluate the requirements
• Delivering services to end-users and maintaining the network

• How can new technologies help connect the under-connected in West and Central

Africa?

Examining the amount of new infrastructure needed and the necessary investment

Choosing the right technologies to maximise the potential of communications access in the region while keeping costs manageable

• What is the market for broadband in West and Central Africa and what are their requirements?
• Examining the business models for operators willing to offer both mobile voice and broadband services
• Benefi ting from the strategic advantage of a historic fi xed network to develop wireless services alongside a mobile network

• What lessons can less developed market learn from their neighbours to improve the provision of communications?
• What are the optimum strategies to maximise coverage and service uptake in less advanced markets?
• What is the role of government, operators and international bodies in boosting a country’s communications market?

• Assessing whether operators are delivering acceptable levels of coverage and QOS
• Should licence conditions be modifi ed to update universal service requirements?
• What measures should the regulator take to sanction operators if they are not fulfi lling their obligations?