25th South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) in Delhi

November 13, 2024

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) hosted an important multilateral event in New Delhi. The South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) convened for three days. This year’s meeting included a delegation from Afghanistan, marking a notable inclusion.

The SATRC event was organised by the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT). It gathered representatives from various South Asian nations. The meeting aimed to enhance collaboration in telecommunications across the region.

Afghan Delegation

Afghanistan was represented by three officials. Saed Baraat Shah Agha Nadeem led the delegation as the chairman of the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA). Sebghatullah Andar and Rohullah Raihan were also present. They chose not to answer questions but shared their names.

Pakistani Representation

Pakistan was represented by Khawar Siddique Khokhar. He is a member of the Compliance & Enforcement division at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). His participation puts stress on the importance of regional dialogue.

Leadership Appointment

Anil Kumar Lahoti, the TRAI Chairman, was elected chair of the SATRC for the upcoming year. This appointment is customary when India hosts the session. Lahoti emphasised the connection between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and development objectives.

Spam emerged as an important concern during the discussions. Lahoti urged collaboration among member countries to tackle this issue. He clarified that the SATRC is not a political forum but a platform for sectoral dialogue.

Regional Cooperation

Nadeem brought into light the importance of regional and sub-regional cooperation in telecommunications. He expressed gratitude towards India for its hospitality during the event. His remarks reflected a collective commitment to enhancing telecom infrastructure in South Asia.

Member Countries

All eight member countries of the SATRC participated in the meeting. These countries include India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nepal. Their presence signifies a unified approach to regional telecommunications challenges.

Future Directions

The discussions set the stage for future collaboration. The focus will remain on improving ICT policies related to development goals. Participants are encouraged to work diligently to strengthen regional ties in telecommunications.

Important Facts for Exams:
SATRC: The South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council promotes collaboration among South Asian nations in telecommunications. It aims to address regional challenges through multilateral dialogue and cooperation.
ATRA: The Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority oversees telecommunications in Afghanistan. ATRA aims to improve telecom infrastructure and services in the country while encouraging regional cooperation with neighbouring nations.
APT: The Asia Pacific Telecommunity is a regional intergovernmental organisation. APT focuses on the development of telecommunications and ICT in the Asia Pacific region through collaboration and capacity building.
Khawar Siddique Khokhar: He is a member of the Compliance & Enforcement division at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. His role emphasises the importance of regulatory compliance in encouraging regional telecommunications dialogue.

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