In demostration of their collective commitment to a resilient and inclusive digital world, regulators of the telecommunications industry globally have endorsed a comprehensive set of guidelines to address the digital challenges and explore new opportunities in the increasingly evolving digital economic landscape for sustainable growth of national economies and socioeconomic benefits of the customers.
The experts endorsed the new guidelines, 2026 Best Practice Guidelines: Regulatory Governance Essentials, at the Global Symposium for Regulators 2026 (GSR-26), recently held in Türkiye.
The guidelines are a digital regulation toolkit to address emerging technologies, infrastructure resilience, youth safety, disaster management and the persistent global digital divide.
At the forum, which was organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the issued guidelines were intended to help regulators govern the complex digital market with clarity, evidence and coherence.
- Advertisement -
Commenting on the approved guidelines, the ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “Regulators today must do more than oversee markets — they must shape the conditions for innovation, investment and meaningful connectivity. At GSR-26, regulators rose to the challenge of navigating these new, fast-moving digital frontiers with confidence, agility and trust.”
To facilitate compliance with the guidelines, the ITU also presented new tools to support sustainable digital development for all, namely the Connectivity Planning Platform for governments to plan, prioritise, and accelerate the investment in and deployment of digital infrastructure in their countries; Global Economic Model and Study Tool, to help regulators assess the socio-economic impact of connectivity investments; and Digital Readiness Framework, to evaluate the maturity of legal, policy and governance frameworks for digital transformation.
In addition, the regulatory guidelines outlined innovative approaches to advance evidence-based regulation, stronger cross-sector coordination, responsible experimentation, and regional and international cooperation.
Speaking on the decisions taken at the forum, Chair of GSR-26 and President of Türkiye’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, said: “Regulatory perspectives for satellite communications to connect underserved communities” – a report identifying mechanisms to leverage satellite technology for universal and meaningful connectivity, particularly for vulnerable populations and public facilities.
“The 2026 Best Practice Guidelines reflect our shared commitment to fostering resilient, inclusive and future-ready digital ecosystems.
“In a world shaped by rapid technological transformation, it is essential to have international cooperation, adaptive regulation and shared responsibility to ensure that digital innovation benefits all societies”, the industry expert added.
In his remarks, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Zavazava, clarified: “GSR-26 has delivered vital guidance for regulators navigating the complexities of today’s digital landscape.
“The discussions held will allow regulators to address emerging challenges in a manner that is constructive, forward-looking and collaborative. I thank the Government of Türkiye for their generous support and partnership in making this Symposium a platform for global progress”, the director added.
Since its inception in 2000, the Global Symposium for Regulators series has served as a yearly forum to guide national governments toward harmonized, futuristic regulations in the global rapidly evolving digital landscape.
