The Meeting of the SATRC Working Group on Policy, Regulations and Services was held from 23 to 25 September 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, delivered the welcome remarks, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to H.E. the President on Digital Economy. The meeting gathered 47 delegates from SATRC Members and Affiliate Members, including 34 who attended in person from 9 SATRC Member countries.
In line with the implementation of SATRC Action Plan Phase IX, the meeting reviewed draft reports on six assigned work items. These reports were thoroughly discussed, leading to several proposed revisions. The updated reports will be presented at SATRC-26 meeting as part of the outcomes of Action Plan Phase IX. The work items include:
- Study of the regulatory challenges concerning new technologies and smart solutions for Fixed and Mobile Broadband
- Enhancing the Utilization of Universal Service Obligation Fund for Digital Inclusion
- Enhancing ICT E-Waste Management Regulations for Sustainable Development
- Study on challenges and addressal of online scams and digital financial frauds taking into account the consumer information protection and rights
- Analyzing the impact of convergence and emerging services on the tariff policies in SATRC countries
- Smart Cities and Societies: Experience and Case Studies in SATRC countries in deploying IoT, Big Data and similar technologies
The meeting also considered 8 proposals submitted by SATRC Members for new work items under SATRC Action Plan Phase X. After discussion, the meeting agreed to propose 6 of these proposals as new work items for consideration at SATRC-26.
The 26th Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-26) will be held from 5 to 7 November 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
More information ➡ https://apt.int/Meeting/2025-SATRC-WG-PRS