TRA Engages in ITU Symposium to Enhance Global ICT Indicators

Manama: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) participated in the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) 21st World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS-26) and the meetings of the Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI) and Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH) in Switzerland.According to Bahrain News Agency, Bahrain's involvement underscores the Kingdom's dedication to fortifying ICT data and indicators, which are essential for evidence-based policymaking and sustainable digital transformation. The country seeks to contribute its national insights to the formation of globally standardized approaches for assessing the evolving digital economy.The symposium, themed "Guiding digital policy through statistics," convened international experts and ITU Member States to enhance methodologies for evaluating connectivity, digital inclusion, and emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, satellite broadband, and 5G-Advanced. Discussions also focused on developing indicators to evaluate the environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions of the ICT sector.Philip Marnick, General Director of the TRA, emphasized the importance of reliable and globally comparable data in understanding the evolving digital landscape, which aids in informed regulatory and policy-making decisions. Bahrain's participation provides the Kingdom with an opportunity to share its experiences and glean insights from international best practices, especially as technologies like AI, advanced mobile networks, and satellite connectivity reshape the sector. Aligning with international measurement standards also ensures that Bahrain's achievements and investments in digital infrastructure are recognized worldwide.TRA's involvement in the development and review of ICT indicators aligns Bahrain with international measurement standards, ensuring that the Kingdom's advancements in telecommunications infrastructure, connectivity, and emerging technologies are accurately represented. This part icipation reinforces TRA's commitment to proactive regulation and bolsters Bahrain's position as a competitive and advanced digital economy.