CTO news

Secretary General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), Bernadette Lewis, a panellist at the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance’s Global Summit, held from September 23rd to 25th, 2024. In addressing the subject, Spectrum management with a user-centric approach - End Users, the Secretary General prefaced her intervention highlighting the diversity within the CTO membership, the unique challenges facing the members and need for customisation of solutions.  

The CTO, represents 33 member states, including small island developing states (SIDS), least developed countries (LDCs), high, medium and low-income nations. In her remarks, the Secretary General highlighted a startling statistic: of the 2.6 billion people worldwide, who remain without internet access, a significant number reside within CTO member states.  

She advocated for equitable digital transformation, especially where internet access remains a critical issue. 

 Secretary General Lewis underscored the direct correlation between national development, education and internet access and CTO members, internet penetration rates fall well below global averages, further exacerbating the digital divide and slowing socioeconomic development.  

 The Secretary General emphasised the importance of public awareness and education and called for innovative, culture-sensitive solutions that align with local realities. Such a localised approach, she argued, is essential for fostering greater technology adoption and closing the digital divide within these regions. 

"The CTO is committed to ensuring that all member nations are empowered to fully participate in the digital age," said Lewis. "Our role in championing inclusivity, especially in vulnerable states, is crucial to global progress. No country should be left behind in this era of rapid technological advancement." 

The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Global Summit, an annual gathering of key stakeholders, serves as the premier global forum for discussions on dynamic spectrum access technologies. This year’s summit focused on the theme of “Spectrum Management with a User-Centric Approach”, bringing together leading regulators, spectrum authorities, industry experts, and academics to explore opportunities for enhanced spectrum sharing. By fostering collaborative innovation and inclusive policies, the event aims to support the development of sustainable and adaptable spectrum management frameworks. 

The CTO’s continued advocacy for inclusive digital transformation and its efforts to close the digital divide were well-aligned with the objectives of the summit, further reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that even the most underserved nations have a stake in the global digital economy.