The ATRC meeting will be held on August 20 and 22, 2002 at the Hotel Inter-Continental Manila; the TELSOM meeting on August 23 and 24, 2002 at the Shangri-La Hotel Manila; and the TELMIN meeting on August 27 and 28, 2002 also at the Shangri-La Hotel Manila.

The ATRC is an independent grouping formed in July, 1995 by the ASEAN telecommunications regulators when they met formally during its inaugural meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The formation of ATRC was initiated as a result of the recognition of the dynamic global telecommunications environment within which the ASEAN nations operate as well as the importance of telecommunications as a fundamental infrastructure upon which the vision of an ASEAN Free Trade Area can be realized. The ATRC was formed to provide the telecommunications regulators and authorities within the ASEAN region the opportunities to work together in the spirit of cooperation and action. The role of the regulators is to effectively facilitate the development of the telecommunications industry, serve consumers, and accelerate the growth and development of the industry.

The ATRC has to be strengthened to provide TELMIN and TELSOM and the regulatory authorities within ASEAN a forum capable of addressing challenging issues facing this fast changing market. Towards this end, ATRC Terms of Reference, particularly its objectives and memberships, have to be reviewed. ATRC should be made more effective and become an implementing arm of TELMIN.

The ATRC, since its inception, blazed the trail towards a more exciting future in facilitating the development of this fast-moving communications sector within ASEAN. And it should rightly be given the endorsement and recognition of TELMIN and TELSOM as the forum of the ASEAN telecommunications sector regulatory authorities.