On 10 April, Managing Director Soren Sorensen will moderate two panel discussions at the 8th MENA Spectrum Management Conference hosted by Forum Global in Manama, Bahrain. NERA is a knowledge partner of the conference.

The first panel, “Where Next for the 6GHz Band? Aligning Divergent Approaches in the MENA Region,” will examine the evolving landscape across the region, the differing strategies emerging post-WRC-23, and how these compare to approaches in other regions. Given the improbability of achieving a fully harmonized approach across the region, the session will explore the technical and ecosystem challenges such a divergence could create and discuss potential next steps to maximize the value of this spectrum.

Dr. Sorensen will be joined by NTRA Egypt Executive Director Muhammed Abd El-Hasseeb, Broadcom Director of Product Marketing Christopher Szymanski, Hewlitt Packard Director of Spectrum Management and Regulatory Affairs Detlef Fuehrer, e& UAE Senior Manager Bushra Abdelaziz Alyas, and Huawei and Nokia Head of Government and Industry Relations Ali Cheema.

In a separate session, Dr. Sorensen will moderate a panel discussion titled “Pause for Thought—Case Studies from Europe.” Dr. Sorensen will speak with Ofcom Director of International Spectrum Policy Chris Woolford and ANFR France Director for Spectrum Planning and International Affairs Eric Fournier, who will focus on France and the United Kingdom, respectively. Although the conference mainly concentrates on the MENA region, this panel will address important issues concerning various spectrum bands and topics from other areas, especially within Region 1.