Course Overview
Today, around 3.3 billion people are connected to the mobile internet, but more than four billion still remain offline and one billion of these are not covered by mobile broadband networks. Closing the mobile coverage gap is primarily an economic challenge. Uncovered populations typically live in rural locations with low population densities, low per-capita income levels and weak or non-existent enabling infrastructure.
This course considers the challenges and opportunities that the public and private sectors face in bringing coverage to the uncovered, thereby giving them access to greater social and economic opportunities.
Course Objectives
• Explore the role of the government and the private sector in improving connectivity.
• Learn how innovation and infrastructure sharing can help bridge the coverage gap.
• Learn about best practices in policy and regulation to foster investment in rural networks.
• Learn about examples of successful rural coverage projects.
Course Completion Certificates
All of our courses are certified by the UK Telecoms Academy (UKTA) and can be used as evidence of professional development.
To qualify for a course completion certificate, students need to view all the course sessions and complete a short final project. Students are also strongly encouraged to take part in weekly live chat sessions and to discuss the course content on the Course Forum.
Genaro has spent the last three years working with local governments and mobile operators to develop connectivity strategies that leverage new technology, policy modernization, and innovative finance to solve the multidimensional challenge of rural connectivity. This works has taken him to countries including France, Indonesia, Tanzania, Chad, DRC, Colombia, and Argentina, among others. He has published various reports about the economics and policy framework for rural connectivity and has provided training for governments in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Prior to the GSMA, Genaro worked as an engineer for a French mobile operator. He holds a Telecommunications Engineering degree from UNAM University, a Master's in Networks and Computer Systems from Telecom Paristech, and a Master's in Public Administration from the London School of Economics.
With over 15 years working at the GSMA, Orla has worked in many different areas including member working groups, event management and now with Capacity Building as Engagement Manager. Orla holds a diploma in Business and Languages, Public Relations and has most recently been studying cyber psychology.