Project 9RAS09029: Universal Service Obligation in Thailand

Brief Description:

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved the Master Plan for Telecommunications Services, No. 2 (2008 - 2010). One of key issues of Telecommunications Services Development identified in the Master Plan is “Universal Service Supply for Basic Telecommunications Services and Social Service”.

This project was initiated with an aim to achieve specific targets of the Master Plan relating to the universal service for basic telecommunications services and social service of Year 2008. It also aims to implement activities and to meet objectives set out in the Plan in the next three years. Additionally the project also aims at implementing one of Asia-Pacific Regional Initiatives on Rural Communications – Infrastructure Development, adopted at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (Doha, 2006). The Regional Initiative aims to assist and guide ITU Member States in enabling policy and regulatory environment including different schemes e.g. competition, subsidization, universal service obligation, etc. for rural ICT development especially to ensure universal access and service in rural areas.

For more details please contact: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Thailand

Time Scale: 2009 - 2011

Partner: National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC)

Project 9RAS09030: Rural ICT Policy Advocacy, Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

Brief Description:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have agreed to collaborate to assist the Asia and Pacific region in the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of strategies and programmes for rural ICT infrastructure development and universal service in consideration of their level of development of ICT. This collaboration is built on ADB's Rural e-Development Initiative and ITU's support the Asia-Pacific Regional Initiative on Rural Communications–Infrastructure Development, which was adopted at the ITU-organized World Telecommunication Development Conference in Doha in 2006. The Project is divided into two phases namely: Phase 1 for development on case studies and policy toolkits for rural ICT development in which the project is undertaking 7 country case studiens i.e. Cambodia, China, Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, and Thailand; and Phase 2 for improvement of policy environment for rural ICT development in Cambodia and Mongolia through policy analysis and recommendations, and country training programs and regional conferences.

For more details please contact: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Asia-Pacific countries

Participating Countries: Cambodia, China, Korea (R.O.), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand

Time Scale: 2009 - July 2011

Partner: Asian Development Bank

Project 2RAS08027: ITU/STA Assistance in Rural and Outer Island Communications in the Pacific

Brief Description:

This project aims to provide access to telecommunication/ICT services to four Pacific Island Countries (Papua New Guina, Marshall Islands, Tonga and Nauru) through development of their rural/remote network infrastructure and establishment of Multipurpose Telecommunity Centres (MTCs) in remote areas and/or outer islands of these four countries. These MTCs will provide suitable ICT services and applications to local communities and will also integrate emergency telecommunication facilities especially for early warnings and important announcements. A human capacity building programme will be specifically designed for particular communities or circumstances in order to ensure operations and maintenance of the centres in a sustainable manner. In particular, focus will be made on training-the-trainers programme.

For more details please contact: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Pacific Islands Countries

Time Scale: Jun 2008 - Jun 2011

Partner: Telecommunications of Andorra (STA)

Project 9RAS10035: Asia-Pacific Regional Initiatives on Telecommunications

Brief Description:

In the Asia-Pacific Region, the ITU is presently implementing numerous activities and country specific actions relating to telecommunication/ICT policy and regulatory cooperation, rural communications/infrastructure development, NGN planning, and unique telecommunication/ICT needs of Pacific Islands and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The focus of this project will be to continue the aforementioned activities while maintaining the collaborative efforts between the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) and ITU in assisting members countries within the Asia-Pacific Region with relevant telecommunications assistance, such as organising trainings and workshops, devising emergency disaster relief efforts, addressing regional issues such as cybersecurity, disability, gender and youth, and providing country specific actions in response to specific ICT related needs.

For more details please contact: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Asia-Pacific countries

Time Scale: 2010 - 2011

Partner: Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), Australian Government

Project 9THA10012: Licensee Monitoring and Compliance Framework

Brief Description:

The ITU-NTC joint project on licensee monitoring and compliance aims at assisting the Office of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission Thailand in reviewing its existing regulatory framework with prime focus on monitoring, compliance and enforcement of licence terms and conditions. While examining the existing framework, the project will suggest improvements in practices, recommend and develop necessary tools and reports, build the necessary human capacity and suggest reform of relevant policy and regulations for effective and efficient monitoring and compliance of licensees. ITU has a long history in working with its members in the area of regulatory reform. The focus area of enabling environment was reiterated by the Membership during WTDC 2010 both in the global programs and in the Asia-Pacific regional initiatives for the period 2011-2014.

Key beneficiaries are the NBTC as well as industry and consumer of telecommunications services in Thailand. Collective case examples as a result of the implementation of this project, will be shared with National Regulatory Authorities of ITU member countries.

For more details please contact: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int)

Beneficiary Country: Thailand

Time Scale: 2011

Partner: National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBCT), Thailand

Regional Initiative #1: Unique ICT Needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)

Objectives: To provide special assistance to LDCs, SIDS and landlocked developing countries in order to meet their priority ICT requirements.

Expected Results:

• Improved infrastructure and enhanced access to affordable ICT services

• Improved enabling environment to facilitate the ICT development

• Appropriate national, subregional and regional frameworks for cybersecurity

• Enhanced skills of relevant human resources.

For partnership with ITU or more details please contact: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Asia-Pacific countries

Time Scale: 2011 - 2014

Partners:

Regional Initiative #2: Emergency Telecommunications

Objectives: To provide assistance to Member States at all phases of disaster management, i.e. disaster preparedness including early warning, disaster response/relief and rehabilitation of telecommunication networks.

Expected Results:

• Identification of suitable technologies to be used for emergency communications

• Creation of common databases to share information on emergency communications

• Design of national and subregional emergency communication plans taking into account the impact of climate change

• Identification of suitable technologies to be used for emergency communications

• Development of appropriate policy, regulatory and legislative frameworks on emergency communications at national and regional level

• Availability of dedicated set of equipment for emergency radio communication in the Asia-Pacific region

• Enhancing the skills of relevant human resources

• Encouraging Member States to ratify the Tampere Convention.

For partnership with ITU or more details please contact: Mr. Wisit Atipayakoon (wisit.atipayakoon@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Asia-Pacific countries

Time Scale: 2011 - 2014

Partners:

Regional Initiative #3: Digital Broadcasting

Objectives: To assist ITU Member States in making a smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Expected Results:

• Policy and regulatory frameworks for digital terrestrial broadcasting, including mobile television and spectrum refarming due to the digital dividend

• Digital broadcasting master plans for transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, including mobile TV and IPTV

• Appropriate mechanisms for conversion from analogue to digital archives and mechanisms for sharing of content

• Provision of assistance in the field of interactive multimedia services to broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region

• Enhanced skills of relevant human resources in the area of digital broadcasting technologies

• Comprehensive guidelines on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting

• Facilitating the availability of universal radio receivers at affordable prices.

For partnership with ITU or more details please contact: Ms. Sireerat Bunnag (sireerat.bunnag@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Asia-Pacific countries

Time Scale: 2011 - 2014

Partners:

Regional Initiative #4: Broadband Access and Uptake in Urban and Rural Areas

Objectives: To assist Member States in the development of broadband access in urban and rural areas.

Expected Results:

• National broadband policies to meet the requirements of developing countries

• Improved broadband infrastructure and access to affordable ICT services in urban and rural areas, including remote and hilly terrains as well as remote islands

• Development of ICT applications that can support multilingualism and address local needs

• Enhanced skills in the area of broadband communication networks for the relevant human resources

• Implementation of solutions providing cost-effective broadband infrastructure, addressing the deployment and operational challenges in rural and remote areas, including remote islands.

For partnership with ITU or more details please contact: Mr. Sameer Sharma (sameer.sharma@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Asia-Pacific countries

Time Scale: 2011 - 2014

Partners:
 

Regional Initiative #5: Telecommunication/ICT Policy and Regulation in ASP

Objectives: To assist Member States in developing of appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks, enhancing skills, increasing information sharing and strengthening regulatory cooperation.

Expected Results:

• Development of appropriate policy, regulatory and legislative frameworks, including convergence aspects, to improve ICT penetration

• Enhancing the skills of relevant human resources

• Promotion of regulatory cooperation and information sharing.

For partnership with ITU or more details please contact: Ms. Aurora Rubio (aurora.rubio@itu.int)

Beneficiary Countries: Asia-Pacific countries

Time Scale: 2011 - 2014

Partners: