global tech trends

A strategic, global perspective on new frontiers in technology and their impact on regulation and policy.


As telecoms, media, the digital economy and world politics converge, it's essential for organisations to have a global perspective on the wide-ranging trends shaping the future of the communications sector.

Our Global Trends service helps leaders understand this bigger picture and set strategic direction for their organisation.

Drawing together on-the-ground expertise from key markets around the world, it provides a unique, high-level view of the latest developments and their implications for decision makers across industry, government and regulation.

key trends covered

Platforms, digital services and content

Understand the complex and shifting roles of online platforms and services in debates around global economics, trade and regulation.

  • Digital payments and currencies
  • Market power of big tech
  • Over-the-top voice and messaging platforms
  • Social media regulation
Connectivity

Stay on top of the latest developments in 5G and full-fibre coverage worldwide, as well as the wider relationship between global tech trends and internet connectivity.

  • 5G
  • Full fibre networks
  • Next generation satellites
  • Open radio access networks (open RAN)
Data economy

Follow the debate around privacy, data flows and Artificial Intelligence, and understand how new developments impact the global data economy.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Data flows
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Privacy in the digital age

global geographic scope

12 key markets covered in-depth across 5 continents

why subscribe

The future of communications sector regulation hinges on many complex technological, economic and geopolitical factors. Our global trend intelligence is here to help decision makers understand the different forces at work and see the bigger picture for their organisation.

With our own experts in multiple countries across the globe helping to report and benchmark, we offer a razor-sharp focus on the most important trends of the moment - delivered with the clarity and impartiality that have made us a trusted voice in regulation for over three decades.

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your deliverables

stay on top

Keep abreast of compelling new developments with our short analyses from around the world. These timely trend spotters are all based on original sources, accessible from an interactive map, and link to further research for more in-depth analysis.

get ahead

Get ahead of the latest global developments with our regulatory reports. Providing a high-level summary of the top trending topics, their drivers and implications across multiple key markets, our reports help you read the pulse of the digital world.

compare

Compare and contrast how different markets are responding to global tech trends shaping policy and regulation in the digital world. Our in-depth benchmarks deliver probing insights on new developments across key markets without losing sight of the bigger picture.

latest intelligence

Senegal’s telecoms regulator outlines national roaming agenda
26 May 23 Gilles Bana

This Global Trends Flash notes that the Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARTP) in Senegal launched in May 2023 work relating to the implementation of national roaming. The objective is to extend the coverage of electronic communications networks, particularly in underserved areas of Senegal. The other purpose is to promote competition between operators, and guarantee mobile service continuity for users, the authority specified. A few other African countries started encouraging national roaming agreements between operators in recent years. National roaming has often been essential to spur competition and increase mobile service availability in remote or scarcely populated areas. It is also in other regions, for example in several countries in Latin America.

Thailand regulates digital platforms
24 May 23 Elena Scaramuzzi

From 17 August 2023, digital platforms operating in Thailand as well as offshore digital platforms targeting Thai consumers must notify their activities to the country’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA). Large platforms must also comply with a series of transparency and fairness requirements, the new law specifies. According to this Global Trends Flash, the new rules in Thailand present similarities with legislative measures recently introduced in the EU and in other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore allocates lower part of 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi
17 May 23 Javier Morales Fhon

The Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) decided to allocate the 5,925–6,425 MHz band for Wi-Fi use on a licence-exempt basis, this Global Trends Flash highlights. IMDA also specified technical requirements for the use of the band. Other countries around the world, such as Australia, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, and New Zealand, among others have also decided to allocate the lower 500 MHz of the 6 GHz band, comprising 1,200 MHz in total, for unlicensed Wi-Fi use. IMDA noted stakeholders’ strong support and consensus on the proposed allocation. In particular, additional Wi-Fi spectrum is needed to meet increasing capacity needs. IMDA expects to finish the legislative amendments in 3Q 2023 in order to give effect to the allocation and for Wi-Fi equipment that operate in the 6 GHz band to be registered with IMDA.

White House calls for adoption of tax on digital asset mining
15 May 23 Jose Jehuda Garcia

The US president included among his revenue proposals for the FY 2024 US federal budget a tax on digital asset mining to defray the costs of negative externalities related to the creation of digital assets. Known as the Digital Asset Mining Energy (DAME) excise tax, if implemented, the levy would amount to 30% of the costs of the electricity used in digital asset mining. This is a Global Trends Flash and it addresses the topic of digital currency mining in different jurisdictions around the world.

New decree on personal data protection in Vietnam
12 May 23 Javier Morales Fhon

The Personal Data Protection Decree (PDPD) will enter into force on 1 July 2023, marking a milestone as the first comprehensive framework governing the protection of personal data in Vietnam. This Global Trends Flash highlights similarities and differences between the new PDPD in Vietnam with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as well as similar regulation in other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.

Bahrain hosts 6G global summit
12 May 23 Gilles Bana

Moving beyond 5G, several countries around the world are focusing on early visions and research on future 6G technologies and requirements. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the 6G Global Summit, in May 2023. The Kingdom already reached 100% 5G coverage, and TRA highlighted its 6G vision in a mobile sector that is continuously evolving, this Global Trends Flash highlights. The 6G summit was organised by Forum Global and was focused on various topics related to 6G, from cybersecurity challenges to key spectrum bands for the initial 6G rollouts around the world.

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