WBBA Code of Conduct

 

Welcome from the WBBA Director General

Welcome to the WBBA Code of Conduct for WBBA Participants. The Code is designed to help you conduct your work on behalf of the WBBA with integrity and in line with the WBBA’s corporate values.

At the WBBA, we have responsibility to many constituencies — our members, our ecosystem partners, our customers and our employees, among others. Trust, transparency and engagement are core tenets of the WBBA’s ethos, and the guidance outlined in this Code of Conduct is critical in ensuring we meet expectations in these areas.

The Code of Conduct provides crucial guidance on antitrust, confidentiality, intellectual property rights, and communications, among others. In today’s increasingly complex environment, it’s important to understand and follow the principles detailed in the following pages, in addition to your own organisation’s guidelines on these important subjects.

Of course, this practical information is just one element of the Code; you also have the full support of the WBBA staff, including the Member Services team, to help you address issues as they arise.

I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the WBBA Code of Conduct and always act in accordance with the principles outlined here. 

Martin Creaner

Director General, World Broadband Association

Introduction

The Code of Conduct applies to all Participants in any group within the WBBA, such as Board and Committee members and working group members.

The WBBA is committed to conducting its business with the utmost integrity and to the highest ethical standards, complying with all laws governing its operations globally. The WBBA also recognises it has responsibilities towards its members, its employees, its customers and to society in general. This document sits alongside your own organisation’s policies and the WBBA Articles of Association.

Questions or concerns?

If you have questions about this Code of Conduct, or concerns about how it applies to your participation in WBBA activities, please contact us at [email protected].

Ethical values

• The WBBA has zero tolerance for any acts of corruption. Corruption undermines legitimate business activities and distorts competition, and it exposes both the WBBA and individuals to significant risks.
• The WBBA is committed to creating a safe environment free of harassment and bullying, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
• The WBBA abides by international standards on ethical principles, including the prohibition of child and forced labour, human trafficking, discrimination, money laundering and corruption.
• The WBBA abides by UN sanctions put in place to maintain or restore international peace and security under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

Your responsibility

As a WBBA Participant, you are expected to:

• Behave in an ethical manner and in accordance with all applicable laws and the rules of your own organisation.
• Comply with the rules of the WBBA’s Articles of Association and this Code of Conduct.
• Speak up if you feel a working practice is not ethical or breaches this Code of Conduct, either via WBBA contact or via the Speak Up channel below.

Antitrust

The WBBA brings together competitors as part of its industry role, and as a result carries the risk of being subject to antitrust investigations. Any breach or suspected breach of the WBBA’s antitrust policy will be taken very seriously and may lead to the termination of an organisation’s participation or WBBA membership.

All participants shall keep confidential all confidential information gained through their participation in working groups or other WBBA activities, and will make no use of it except for the purpose for which it was disclosed.

What you must do:

• Comply with the WBBA’s Antitrust Policy in addition to your own organisation’s policies. Consult the WBBA or your own legal counsel if you’re unsure.
• Be sensitive to the fact that your organisation may compete with others participating in WBBA activities — don’t disclose competitively sensitive information during WBBA meetings or activities.

Insider trading

Insider trading rules apply to all WBBA Participants. If you receive price-sensitive, non-public information about any other organisation, you will be regarded as an “insider” and must not trade — or encourage or assist others to trade — in that organisation’s securities.

What you must do:

• Comply with your own organisation’s Insider Trading Policy.
• Do not disclose any non-public information you receive through WBBA participation that could be used by anyone to gain a trading benefit.

What to be aware of:

• Insider trading is prohibited by law and punishable by imprisonment, criminal fines, civil penalties and private-party damages.
• Conflicts of interest must be disclosed to WBBA and will be treated appropriately.

Intellectual property rights

Intellectual property is an intangible asset that includes patents, trademarks, know-how and trade secrets. WBBA meetings operate on the basis of respecting the IP rights of everyone who participates.

The WBBA has worked hard as an industry body to build a strong brand and reputation, and works to ensure that any public communication is in the best interest of its members.

What you must do:

• Comply with the WBBA’s IPR provisions, covered in the Articles of Association.
• Request WBBA’s written permission before any use of WBBA brands or other IP.
• Do not speak on behalf of the WBBA — including to media, analysts, or on social media — unless you’ve received written permission from the WBBA press office.

Speak up

The WBBA is committed to ensuring all Participants feel confident reporting any wrongdoing they encounter through their participation in WBBA activities, without risk to themselves or their organisation’s position.

Participants are encouraged to report any failure to comply with WBBA policies, including:

• A breach of this Code of Conduct.
• A breach of, or failure to comply with, WBBA governing documents.
• Anything endangering an individual’s health and safety.
• Deliberate concealment of information relating to any of the above.
• Misuse of information to further private interests or gain an unfair advantage.

WBBA commits to protecting anyone making a disclosure from retaliation, disadvantage or discrimination, and will keep their identity confidential to the fullest extent possible, subject to overriding legal requirements.

To make a disclosure:

• Log a report online.
• Send an email.
• Speak directly to the WBBA Director General or a WBBA Board Member.