Broadband rollout
The first day of the Annual Conference began with a debate on the rollout of broadband. Ireland’s progress on broadband rollout aligns with the EU’s 2030 targets for universal fibre access. Challenges include balancing lofty targets with practical adequacy for broadband needs and addressing funding gaps for rural areas. There is a government-led initiative to provide broadband to rural areas where commercial operators find deployment unfeasible. Fibre technology was chosen for future-proofing, with a wholesale operator rolling out connectivity to all rural homes.
While fibre remains critical, satellite technology addresses the last 5 to 10 per cent of unconnected populations. Key challenges include regulatory hurdles and ensuring affordability for underserved regions.
The discussion emphasised the need for collaboration between governments, regulators and private companies to achieve global broadband connectivity, with particular attention to affordability, localisation and technological neutrality.
Regulation in the film and TV sector
This session focused on the impacts of regulation in various jurisdictions. It was pointed out that financial support varies by country, with some offering none, while others are ‘low generosity’, offering limited rebates, narrow cost coverage and/or strict caps on incentives. ‘High generosity’ countries provide comprehensive incentives that can boost investment significantly. Higher regulation has been shown to lead to fewer imports due to restrictions such as quotas. Surprisingly, it also reduces exports, probably due to reduced competitiveness and innovation stemming from less market pressure.
In Spain there is a multifaceted strategy focused on financial incentives, with 1.6 billion euros mobilised for the sector. This achieved significant growth in film production (+37 per cent in 2022) and employment (+93 per cent in three years). Korea’s liberalised model encompassed progressive deregulation (such as halving screen quotas) and has fostered a vibrant domestic content industry. Success is attributed to fostering competitiveness and innovation without heavy-handed rules.
Prominence in media regulation
This session explored the issue of prominence with experts in media policy. The discussion underscored the complexity of media regulation in a digital age where user behaviour, technology and global competition are reshaping the landscape.
It was firstly explained that prominence encompasses discoverability – bringing content to the viewer’s attention, even if they are unaware of it – and findability – ensuring ease of access for viewers looking for specific content.
Regulation in Australia
Australia’s prominence scheme, implemented in July 2023, ensures that free-to-air services are present and prominently placed on connected TVs and other devices. The focus is on presence (availability) and positioning of services such as linear broadcasts and broadcast video-on-demand apps. The principal challenge is that global streaming services dominate prime user interface (UI) positions, relegating local broadcasters’ apps to lower visibility.
The UK’s Media Bill is a response to public service broadcasters (PSBs) needing visibility in the digital age. The speaker noted that PSB prominence is at risk due to changes in UI design. Traditional electronic programme guides have been replaced with app-first UIs or content tiles. New interfaces prioritise global services, potentially sidelining local broadcasters and PSBs.
Searchability is emerging as a critical factor as UI designs shift to personalised content grids and tiles. Regulating algorithms to promote local content without stifling innovation is a nuanced challenge.
Spectrum management
This breakout session debated the ongoing challenges in balancing spectrum demand among mobile, satellite and other industries.
It was noted that there had been significant developments in mid-band spectrum (3 GHz) as a prime resource for 5G, and growth in dynamic spectrum sharing, particularly in the United States with the CBRS band, to optimise underutilized spectrum. Satellite constellations, especially low earth orbit (LEO) ones, have become increasingly important for global connectivity, disaster response and remote area coverage. There are frequent calls for the global harmonisation of satellite spectrum to optimise cross-border services and maximise efficiency, especially with competition between satellite and terrestrial networks over key bands, such as 28 GHz and 6 GHz.
Dynamic spectrum access models are growing but require balancing with traditional exclusive allocation to ensure a reliable service.
Regulatory cooperation
This panel discussion explored the evolving landscape of digital regulation, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by the convergence of industries and the emergence of large-scale digital platforms. Regulators from the UK, Colombia, Germany and South Africa shared insights into their approaches to creating frameworks that balance innovation, competition, and consumer protection in a rapidly changing digital economy.
Traditional sector-specific regulatory frameworks are becoming insufficient as industries and technologies blend. The need for horizontal, cross-sector collaboration is paramount. Challenges include managing overlapping jurisdictions, coordinating between regulators and addressing the global nature of digital platforms.
The UK’s Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) and similar bodies in Germany and South Africa highlight the importance of international collaboration to harmonise regulation. Efforts to coordinate with international bodies, such as the ITU, and the European Digital Services Act (DSA), are seen as essential for consistency and efficiency.
Trusted communications
The discussion for this breakout session centred on combating fraud, scams and cybersecurity issues within telecommunications and digital platforms, emphasising collaboration between regulators, industry players and technology providers.
Panellists agreed on the importance of establishing open, transparent frameworks to authenticate calls and texts while holding all ecosystem players accountable. Measures, such as traceability, digital literacy, and DNO (do not originate) lists, were highlighted.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to cross-sector collaboration and the need to act promptly on both immediate and systemic solutions.
The disinformation battle
This session discussed the evolving landscape of news consumption, disinformation and the regulatory responses in both social and electoral contexts.
The Reuters Institute Digital News Report 20241 reveals shifting consumption patterns. In countries such as Thailand, TikTok and YouTube dominate as primary news sources, reflecting a rise in short-form content.
Disinformation has evolved with technology, with AI-generated deepfakes and influencer-driven narratives being prominent. The positive use of AI includes targeted messaging for campaigns and public engagement. However, it’s still in an exploratory phase and could have more impact in future elections.
Regulators face challenges in balancing freedom of expression with combating disinformation, and cooperation among platforms, governments, civil societies and media organisations is crucial to addressing these issues effectively. The focus is on systemic regulation rather than on authorities acting as arbiters of truth.
AI and creativity
This roundtable provided a comprehensive discussion of the intersection of AI, creativity and policy, with perspectives from content creators and global regulators.
Concerns about AI ethics, copyright, and the regulatory gap between advanced and emerging markets were widely shared. Key themes included:
- AI as an enabler of creativity and productivity
- Challenges of AI adoption, including ethical concerns, misinformation, and regulatory readiness
- Opportunities for untapped markets through multilingual AI-powered content.
Lessons from other technology transitions
Digital TV systems aimed for transparency in revenue streams but faced resistance due to the political economy and fragmented stakeholders. The 5G rollout has engendered early hype and limited utility for telecoms operators struggling with monetisation and seeking network usage fees from large traffic generators. Successful examples discussed included the transition from legacy TV to digital streaming, which flourished with minimal government intervention, allowing market-driven growth. Some suggested lessons for the AI transition include a well-designed public-private infrastructure model, crucial for supercomputing and AI development, and tailored AI applications, especially for diverse linguistic and cultural markets such as Africa and India.
Responsible AI
This session revolved around AI policy, regulation and innovation. Speakers highlighted how global regulations, such as the EU AI Act, influence national strategies, with emphasis on balancing innovation with consumer protection. AI’s potential for creativity, from content generation to personalised viewer experiences, was explored by industry representatives.
Panellists emphasised responsible AI as a tool to democratise content creation in its role as a creativity-enhancing tool. AI is transforming storytelling, production and viewer engagement. It is an enabler, not a replacement, for human creativity. Addressing copyright, fairness, and mitigating risks, such as deepfakes, are critical. Industry-specific norms, such as chain of title in films, provide frameworks for managing AI-related issues.
Global AI Regulation
While the idea of global regulation is seen as utopian due to diverse cultural, economic, and regulatory needs across countries, collaboration and learning from international frameworks were emphasised as essential. There was consensus on the importance of platforms engaging positively with policymakers to align societal priorities with commercial interests.
Content moderation
This breakout session debated standards and enforcement practices for content moderation and age classification.
Attention was drawn to surveys showing that consumers prefer content regulation by themselves or by streaming services rather than through government intervention. The risks of piracy increase with over-regulation.
A panellist discussed the DSA in the EU, which introduces a risk-based regulatory approach for large platforms, emphasising content moderation without direct censorship. Italian regulator AGCOM has introduced an age verification system designed to protect minors from accessing adult content while ensuring privacy. It is technologically neutral and prioritises privacy with a ‘double anonymity’ principle, separating age verifiers from content providers. While useful, it’s seen as a blunt and intrusive tool suitable for extreme cases such as pornography, but adaptable for other sensitive content
The panel agreed that protecting children should not come at the expense of their rights to access and expression. Age verification and moderation tools must evolve while addressing privacy and usability concerns. Regulations must respect local values while tackling global issues such as grooming, discrimination, and harmful content.
Climate change and sustainability
This session explored the intersection of the digital and green transitions, focusing on the role of industries, regulators, and governments in promoting sustainability while advancing digital technology.
Asia is responsible for over 50 per cent of global carbon emissions and heavily affected by climate change impacts. The Asian Development Bank is aiming to mobilise $100 billion in climate financing by 2030 with a focus on integrating digital solutions into climate resilience projects.
There are distinct regional differences in the attitude to sustainability. Developing nations often prioritise economic growth and connectivity over climate goals, highlighting the need for tailored, context-sensitive approaches.
Other observations were that turning off legacy technologies, such as 2G/3G, is critical for energy efficiency but requires balancing social costs and accessibility. Future networks, such as satellites, present both opportunities and challenges, including environmental impacts such as debris and light pollution.
Competition in digital markets
The session focused on the complex interplay between advertising technologies (ad tech), competition and regulatory frameworks, emphasising the need for cooperation among regulatory bodies.
The inherent tension between privacy demands and the business model of digital platforms, which relies on data for targeted advertising, was discussed. This tension is addressed differently across regions, with some opting for stricter privacy protections, while others focus more on fostering competition within the ad tech industry.
The complexity of regulating ad tech involves multiple regulatory bodies with varying focuses, from advertising standards to data privacy.
The conversation acknowledged that while digital advertising offers significant economic opportunities, it also presents complex challenges that require nuanced regulatory approaches. The potential for AI and other advanced technologies to further complicate the privacy and data governance landscape was also discussed, suggesting that ongoing adaptation and international cooperation will be essential for effective regulation.
Cyber threats
The final session of the conference addressed global cybersecurity challenges, with a particular emphasis on the shared responsibility among governments, industry players, and other stakeholders.
Panellists highlighted the importance of collective collaboration to address vulnerabilities, especially given the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the role of AI in both defensive and offensive scenarios. They underscored the significance of threat intelligence sharing and a risk-based regulatory approach to enhance cyber resilience, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, where financial motivations and espionage play notable roles in cyber attacks. Examples such as the WannaCry ransomware attack, illustrate the consequences of withholding critical information about vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for transparency and global cooperation. For developing economies, limited resources necessitate prioritising ‘balanced security’, focusing on risk-based approaches to optimise the allocation of resources and ensure effective protection. Human error remains a critical vulnerability, with non-malicious actions often leading to breaches. Training and awareness campaigns were highlighted as essential to mitigating risks.
With thanks to our Diamond sponsors, Amazon, Google and Netflix, and our Gold sponsor, Somos. The IIC Annual Conference was sponsored by DT Economics, Frontier Economics and Wiggin LLP. We are also grateful to Looper Insights for sponsoring the Gala Reception and Tilleke & Gibbins for their sponsorship of the Annual Conference Reception.
This is an abridged version of the full report sent to all conference attendees. ChatGPT was used to create an initial draft.
