Rural areas are generally characterized by a number of small and isolated villages spread widely. While in most countries, urban centres are typically connected by the national (backbone) networks, for rural areas the challenge is to provide connectivity and services to these small, isolated, and often-remote and sparsely populated villages. In such situations, radiocommunications is particularly well-suited.

The promise of wireless

The costs associated with the deployment of fixed access and network infrastructures are often outside the reach of many economically under-developed countries. This is particularly the case in rural and remote areas that have low subscriber density or face geographic challenges such as mountainous terrain, large bodies of water or jungles.

On the other hand, the advances of mobile communications since mobile cellular became commercially available in the early 1980s have defeated imagination in terms of coverage, services, technology, handsets and regulations. Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect is that in the space of around 20 years, the number of mobile subscribers has surpassed fixed-telephone line subscribers, making mobile technology the predominant means of voice communications. In China, for example, there are 5 million new cell phone users each month.

For this reason, ITU has been promoting the use of suitable technologies, including third-generation's IMT-2000 and wireless access systems, as an effective way to overcome the difficulties experienced in many developing countries. Actually, fixed wireless technologies combined with satellites such as VSAT can cost-effectively provide backbone connectivity between communities even where traditional landline networks is lacking while WLAN technologies such as Wi-Fi can distribute the backbone connection to the members of the community.

The work of ITU

The work of ITU's Radiocommunication Sector is highly topical in the wider development of rural telecommunications. With more than 1500 specialists from telecommunication organizations and administrations around the world, ITU works throughout the year to develop technical recommendations for radiocommunication systems (terrestrial and satellite) and to produce best practice on spectrum management and emerging radiocommunication services. It also undertakes studies on spectrum requirements and technical and operational characteristics of user terminals (VSAT) for global broadband satellite systems.

In the emerging Information Society, broadband access for developing countries becomes a priority. The studies carried out by the ITU on global broadband satellite systems for Internet applications focus on bridging the digital divide through the provision of high-speed Internet access via low cost satellite terminals, taking into account the need to serve remote and sparsely populated communities.

For broadcasting services such as radio and television, digital systems provide the most efficient solutions. A new series of recommendations on digital broadcasting have recently been developed. These recommendations allow for the provision of new services, in particular low-cost digital radio. Digital Television on its part offers the advantage of improved quality in the sound and image as well as spectrum efficiency (less spectrum is needed per channel and the same frequency can be used for the entire country thus potentially freeing up a good chunk of spectrum for other purposes). With digital television, a variety of multimedia applications can be proposed such as data information services while boasting of lower power requirements, and, above all, increased versatility (it will be possible to transmit several programmes over a single television channel and each video channel will be able to carry several audio channels). For many African countries whose population is made of several ethnic groups, digital television could mean programming better suited to the diversity of the population mix.

The planning of the future terrestrial digital broadcasting services (audio and television) will be addressed by ITU at its forthcoming Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-04) to take place from 10 to 28 May in Geneva, immediately after ITU TELECOM AFRICA 2004. Since Africa is included in the planning area, the outcome of this Conference is of major importance to the future of digital broadcasting throughout the continent.

On the mobile communications front, ITU coordinated the initiative to create a worldwide framework for third generation mobile communications, known as IMT-2000 which established a paradigm in modern advanced personal telecommunications. The project introduced an internationally agreed set of frequency spectrum arrangements and technical specifications to foster inter-operation of radio access interfaces and inter-working of mobile network functions. It also developed the arrangements to facilitate cross-border circulation of terminals. Under the auspices of ITU, an unprecedented multilateral collaborative mechanism was set up among government agencies, standards development organizations and industry partnerships to develop and maintain the IMT 2000 specifications. Despite the economic slowdown, the number of people using 3G this year will reach 140 million, allowing them to enjoy broadband mobile access to the Internet from their handheld terminals.

But harmonizing spectrum and standardizing systems is no longer sufficient to ensure global mobile services. ITU activities have now expanded to include harmonization of national and regional regulations, including equipment approval best practices and mechanisms. As well, ITU is now active in assisting national authorities and industry groups in discussions relating to global circulation of terminals, including the establishment of internationally accepted emission limits and terminal equipment identification mechanisms.

New challenges

Beyond the technical and regulatory work undertaken by ITU to facilitate the emergence of the mobile Information Society, an increasing number of people wonder whether we, as a society, and as individuals, are well-equipped to live in a world of such technological ubiquity. There is little doubt that the new generation of always-on, anytime, any-place technologies offers exciting possibilities for innovative applications and new modes of interaction, improving access to services and thereby benefiting individuals and communities in both developed and developing countries. At the same time, however, these technologies bring new challenges in terms of the security of communications and the privacy of individuals. At the dawn of this new age, it is equally important to consider what effect these technologies are having on the way we grow, interact, socialize and learn. This is why, last March, ITU undertook to bring together several stakeholders and experts to address the challenges raised by the mobile-technology-based society of the 21st century at a workshop entitled "Shaping the future mobile information society".

The revolution promised by the introduction of advanced mobile technologies is already with us today. What remains to be done is to pursue the development of the framework of international cooperation to provide the Mobile Global Information Society, with harmonized frequency spectrum, open standards, and a flexible regulatory environment. In all these aspects, ITU will continue to have a central role to play.