Telecom regulators and industry leaders from over 30 countries across the Middle East and Africa gathered in Cairo last week for the Telecommunications Regulatory Summit, co-organized by connectivity intelligence firm Ookla and Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
Under the theme “Harnessing Data and Technology for Superior QoS,” the summit highlighted how crowdsourced data is reshaping regulatory approaches, enabling smarter decisions, improved transparency, and enhanced network quality across the region. Delegates, including representatives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and World Broadband Association (WBBA), engaged in high-level discussions focused on optimising network performance and accelerating digital inclusion.
Karim Yaici, Ookla’s lead industry analyst for the MEA region, emphasized the critical role of crowdsourced data in closing service gaps and prioritizing infrastructure investments. Dr. Hossam Abdel-Mawla, NTRA’s vice-president of technical affairs and QoS, described the summit as pivotal for fostering collaboration to drive economic growth and digital inclusion.
A key session led by Ookla’s Ahmed Nabawy showcased how AI-powered analytics on 5G device density in Egypt and Tunisia are helping operators focus rollout efforts more effectively. The summit also underscored the transition toward user-centric Quality of Experience (QoE) models, promising greater transparency and accountability in connectivity services.
