Press Clippings

1. FCC Commissioner promotes Universal Access of Telecommunications at Global Symposium for Regulators
2. Telecoms Regulators Call for Competitive Markets
3. Global Telecom Regulators Set Course for Universal Access - Converge Network Digest
4. Trai sees boom in cellphone market
5. Pakistan for Promotion of ICT in Developing Countries - Pakistan Tribune
6. Jordan heads 4th Annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR)
7. International Telecom
8. World Summit on the Information Society kicks off
9. PTA- (Pakistan for promotion of ICT in developing countries)

207 words
8 December 2003
States News Service
English
(c) 2003 States News Service

"FCC Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy joined telecommunications regulators from around the world to promote universal access to telecommunications services," the Federal Communications Commission said in a press release.

The verbatim text of the release also said:

Commissioner Abernathy spoke at the 4th Annual Global Symposium for Regulators hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Commissioner Abernathy emphasized that the goal of universal access is "to ensure that consumers have a choice of innovative telecommunications services at affordable prices." She encouraged other regulators to achieve these goals by "having faith in the market; ensuring transparency by adopting clear rules that are vigorously enforced; and educating consumers about regulations so they can make intelligent choices."

The Global Symposium for Regulators is being held December 8-9, 2003. The focus of the Symposium is on steps international regulators can take to increase universal access to information and communications technologies. The Symposium joins national regulatory authorities from both developed and developing countries to exchange views and experiences.

ITWeb (Johannesburg)

AllAfrica News Service
December 10, 2003
Posted to the web December 10, 2003
By Paul Vecchiatto, Itweb Cape Town Correspondent
Geneva

World telecommunications regulators have cited competition as being a key driver in promoting universal access to ICT services - a key issue in the World Summit on Information Society now underway in Geneva.

Speaking on the eve of the WSIS, they called upon countries to open their information and communications technology (ICT) sectors to greater competition. They further identified the kinds of regulations and practices needed to promote universal access to ICT services.

The regulators from more than 80 countries met in Geneva during the past two days to participate in the fourth annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Participants included international organizations such as the European Commission, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, as well as academic and non-governmental organizations. They prepared a blueprint of what should be done to ensure that global access to the tools of communication is extended to all of humanity.

The GSR Universal Access Best Practice Guidelines will be delivered to the first World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva from today.

"Bridging the digital divide can be achieved," Hamadoun I. Touré, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) says. "Developing countries have all the tools at their disposal now to make the universal access dream a reality," the BDT Director added. "The measures identified by the world's regulators are entirely feasible. But they need the full support of governments at the highest level. I have do doubt that this support will come from the heads of state and governments participating in the World Summit on the Information Society."

Muna Nijem, Chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Jordan, and also chairperson of the 2003 GSR, says: "The central focus of our GSR meeting is Universal Service and Universal Access. A modern vision that we intend to articulate is the key role broadband deployment can play in meeting the Universal Service/Access goals. Here, we cannot stress enough the need for the proper enabling environment, which includes the establishment of an independent regulator and the recognition of the key role that the regulator plays in the implementation of Universal Service/Access policies."

The GSR agreed on a list of best practice regulatory guidelines for achieving universal access. The guidelines call for support for regulatory reform at the highest level of government. This means treating ICTs as a tool for development rather than a source of government revenue.

Some of the key measures backed by national regulatory authorities include technologically neutral licenses (authorizations to provide services that do not distinguish on the basis of technology used) that enable service providers to use the most cost-effective technology to provide services, and reducing regulatory burdens to lower the costs of providing services.

The regulators agreed that the lessons learned from developing countries' initial experiences with mobile cellular services should now be applied to a broader range of ICT services to foster universal access.

These lessons include providing services in a competitive framework, using new technologies that offer both innovative services and affordable pricing options to a wide range of end users.

The blueprint identified by regulators would lead to greater competition, more open markets, and spark investment.

Ernest Ndukwe, CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, says that his country has witnessed "a remarkable rise in the use of ICT services following the introduction of competition. The number of telephone lines has grown by over 500% within two years of opening our market to competition," Ndukwe says. "This could only have been achieved through regulatory reform."

Telecom regulators from more than 80 countries met in Geneva as part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to discuss the steps that nations could take to bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access to communications. The 4th annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) agreed on a list of best practice regulatory guidelines for achieving this universal access. They called for regulatory reform at the highest level of government and urged political leaders to treat communications as a tool for development rather than a source of government revenue. The GSR Universal Access Best Practice Guidelines will be delivered to the World Summit later this week. Some of the key principles include:

• promote greater competition, more open markets, and spark investment.

• urge governments to grant technologically neutral licenses and not to favor any particular technology, whether fixed line, wireless, etc,

• apply the lessons learned from developing countries’ initial experiences with mobile cellular services to a broader range of communications services to foster universal access.

• push for communications services to be provided in a competitive framework, encouraging new technologies for offering both innovative services and affordable pricing options (e.g., pay as you go options such as prepaid cards) to a wide range of end users.

• encourage low-cost technologies that will achieve long-term financial self-sustainability, greater use of public access options that respond to the needs of local users,

• encourage government measures such as tax incentives, reduced customs tariffs and national manufacturing of equipment.

• recognize that universal service funds are one option that complements regulatory reform when developed as a mechanism within a broader market-oriented approach to achieving universal access.

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Trai sees boom in cellphone market

rediff.com
PTI | December 10, 2003 | 19:33 IST

India has been adding about two million mobile telephone users per month this year and the growth is expected to accelerate with full implementation of the unified licensing regime, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chairman Pradip Baijal said.

"We expect even more market growth once the entire unified licensing regime is implemented," Baijal said at a global symposium for regulators organised by the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, according to a press release issued by ITU.

Baijal said the addition of mobile users per month this year was five times last year's figure and 12 times the seven years' average; the tariffs had come down to half of the previous year's level.

He said Trai was working to reduce the regulatory burden, remove difference between fixed and mobile services which had already been blurred on account of technological developments and aggressive competition amongst operators.

Some of the key measures backed by the regulatory authorities include technologically neutral licences that enable service providers to use most cost-effective technologies to provide services, reducing regulatory burdens to lower the cost.

The GSR has also agreed on a list of best practice regulatory guidelines for achieving universal access.

"The guidelines calls for support for regulatory reform at the highest level of government. This means that treating information and communication technologies as a tool for development rather than a source of government

Pakistan for Promotion of ICT in Developing Countries - Pakistan Tribune

ISLAMABAD, December 10 (Online): Pakistan has stressed the need for greater interaction between the telecom stakeholders of developed and developing countries to promote Information Communication Technologies (ICT) for creating awareness among the masses about the benefits and utilities of the latest telecom technologies and emerging trends in technological developments.

These remarks were made by Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (Retd) Shahzada Alam Malik while addressing a two-day fourth annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) being held in Geneva under the auspicious of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) from December 8-9. Chairman PTA is representing Pakistan at the Symposium in his capacity as member of the ITU Council.

The aims and objectives of the GSR are to bring together heads of regulatory authorities of both the developed and developing countries for sharing views and experiences and to discuss measures for increasing universal access to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Chairman PTA urged the developed countries to direct their investment and technological advancements to the developing countries to enable them to establish ICT network for boosting economic activity, alleviating poverty and improving the living standard of common man.

He also emphasized the need for according high priority to the expansion of telecom network and infrastructure in the developing countries for providing access and connectivity to the rural and remote areas of such countries through wireless connection and radio and satellite services at affordable prices.

The GSR will be followed by World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) scheduled to be held from December 10-12. More then 60 heads of state and government including ministers and heads of regulatory bodies will attend the WSIS. Chairman PTA is included in the delegation attending the summit.

WSIS summit is being held in two phases. The first phase of WSIS is under way in Geneva while the second phase of the Summit will be held in Tunis in 2005.

End.

The meeting was attended by more than 400 telecommunications regulators from across the world, in addition to international organizations such as the European Union, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. Mr. Yoshio Utsumi, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary General, and Mr. Hamadoun Touré, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau also attended the event, which focused on the two topics Universal Services and Universal Access.

The 4th annual GSR meeting has been of particular importance since it prepared for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) held also in Geneva on December 10-12, 2003, which is considered the largest specialized international gathering organized by the United Nations. It assembles world leaders to set strategies for bridging the digital divide and employing information and communications technology (ICT) in development across the world. The GSR meeting aimed at developing a statement of principles to be presented to WSIS.

In her opening speech at the GSR Ms. Muna Nijem, Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of the TRC, said: 'If at all possible, this year's GSR is even more important than any of the previous symposia, because we meet just days before the first World Summit on the Information Society, WSIS. A key component of WSIS objectives relates to facilitating 'broadband' network development and market conditions to support this expansion. Closely related to the issue of broadband network deployment are issues of Universal Service and Universal Access, which are the themes of this meeting. As a regulator, I cannot stress enough the need for the proper enabling environment that includes an independent regulator and the recognition of its key role in the implementation of Universal Access policies.'

Ms. Nijem thanked delegates who submitted contributions on their countries' Universal Access priorities. She added: 'Based on these submissions, we have developed a draft statement of principles for discussion in tomorrow's workshop on Universal Access. It is my goal for the GSR to achieve consensus on a solid and innovative statement of principles for delivery to the WSIS.'

She then articulated the Jordanian vision related to the key topics of the meeting: 'Innovative approaches to Universal Access have been primarily focused on basic telecommunications needs, but there is certainly reason to believeý that they would be equally relevant to increased access to broadband applications. Therefore, I would like to proposeý that an 'enabling environment' for broadband services and the focus on 'pro-competitive' policies and 'infrastructure development' can be achieved in a regulatory regime that relies to the maximum extent on market forces. This regimeý should be guided by Universal Access objectives that explicitly recognize the capabilities and competitive potential of different technologies. A market-oriented regime - in contrast to the traditional approach - can be developed ý that employs the least degree of regulatory intervention ý while still addressing social concerns.'

Finally, Ms. Nijem presented the Jordanian experience, saying: 'Our new objective in Jordan, as defined by His Majesty King Abdullah II, is to ensure that 'every single school and community will be wired… simply because this is the type of quality and talent that we want in our work force." Pursuant to this vision, the King Abdullah Fund for Development has worked hard to establish information technology community centers, which provide training in basic computer literacy, walk-in internet access, walk-in ICT support access, e-learning, English language skills, and pilot social development services. Initial studies concluded that 67 centers are needed to cover the whole country, of which 40 are already operational.'

Participants in GSR submitted recommendations to the UN Secretary General on the guidelines that would help achieve universal access to ICT services across the globe.

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International Telecom

254 words
9 December 2003
Communications Daily
Volume 23; Issue 236
English
(c) 2003 Warren Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FCC Comr. Abernathy, speaking at the ITU's Annual Global Symposium for Regulators Mon. in Geneva, said in a panel discussion on universal access that market intervention sometimes was warranted. "We must remain engaged," she said in moderating the panel for the conference, which runs through today (Tues.): "There are always cases in which the unfettered market would lead providers to engage in conduct either contrary to our laws or harmful to consumers -- or both." Abernathy outlined scenarios in which she said a stronger regulatory hand was warranted, including "when structural or competitive barriers impede the development of competition.

Therefore, as markets transition from a monopoly to a competitive model, it is important for the regulators to craft narrowly tailored regulations aimed at curtailing the anticompetitive behavior of incumbents." She cited the FCC's intervention to achieve competition in the local wireline market "because the incumbents had control of essential network facilities and their natural business incentive was to resist making those facilities available to competitors." Abernathy stressed the importance of balancing growth in competition while keeping incentives for carriers to invest. "There are also policy goals that do not necessarily track market forces," she said, citing programs such as universal service. "Without such programs, consumers in rural and remote locations, for instance, may not be able to access even basic telecommunications services," she said. "It is also important that regulators not allow their rules to lie stagnant," Abernathy said, stressing the importance of reexamining rules to make sure they remained relevant.

Silicon.com
Jo Best
507 words
10 December 2003
English
(c) 2003 CNET Networks. All rights reserved

As do the delegates...

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has opened today in Geneva, charged with setting a global perspective on ICT development but the summit has already been overshadowed by political spats. The summit brings together governments, businesses, the UN and the man in the street and aims to hammer out a general agreement on ICT strategy and then put a plan of action in place. While the summit's statement of intent - centred on using the digital revolution to bolster economies in the developing world - is all sweetness and light, the reality hasn't quite lived up to the dream. Among the disagreements marring the start of the summit is a dispute over who should run the internet. Some countries, including open source fan Brazil and tech tiger China, would like to see governing body Icann, which currently regulates areas such as domain names distribution and IP addresses, is heavily US-dominated. The anti-Icann countries would prefer to see the internet in the hands of an intergovernmental group, perhaps to be controlled the UN. It's a suggestion that hasn't found much favour with the US and its cohorts, who are more than happy with the net's status quo. The possibility of having to make a decision on the issue has been sidestepped, however, with UN secretary general Kofi Annan charged with convening a working group to discuss the matter. China had also tried to water down a declaration by the WSIS supporting freedom of expression and the press. The country has jailed several dissidents found criticising the ruling Communist party over the internet. Another bone of contention is the oft-discussed 'digital divide' between the world's tech haves and have-nots and how to close the chasm. While global governments have been very keen to shout about their devotion to getting ICT equipment and access into the hands of the developing world, when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, the reaction isn't so overwhelming. Discussions about setting up an international fund, pushed for by some African nations, to allow the purchase of ICT equipment, didn't go down well among the richer nations, who said they didn't think another separate fund would achieve anything. The International Telecommunication Union has another take on how to bridge the divide, however, putting the onus on a change in government thinking to get things moving.  The fourth global symposium for regulators has prepared a best practice document to be delivered to the summit, demanding that politicians should stop seeing ICT as a money-spinner for themselves and more as a tool for development. Among the measures on the table are technologically telecoms neutral licences and better broadband enablement. The WSIS will reconvene for a second phase in Tunis in 2005. 

306 words
9 December 2003
Pakistan Press International Information Services
English
(c) 2003 Asia Pulse Pte Limited

Islamabad, Dec.

09 (PPI): Pakistan has stressed the need for greater international between the telecom stakeholders of developed and developing countries to promote Information Communication Technologies (ICT) for creating awareness among the masses about the benefits and utilities of the latest telecom technologies and emerging tr in technological developments. These remarks were made by Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) being held in Geneva under the auspicious of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) from December 08-09.Chairman PTA is representing Pakistan at the Symposium in his capacity as member of the ITU Council. The aims and objectives of the GSR are bring together heads of regulators authorities of both the developed and developing countries for sharing views and to discuss measures for increasing universal access to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). Chairman PTA urged the developed countries to direct their investment and technological advancements to the developing countries to enable them to establish ICT network for boosting economic activity, alleviating poverty and improving the living standard of common man. He also emphasized the need for according high priority to the expansion of telecom network and infrastructure in the developing access and connectivity to the rural and remote areas of such countries through wireless connection and radio and satellite services at affordable prices. The GSR will be followed by World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) scheduled to be held from December 10-12. More then 60 heads of state and government including ministers and heads of regulatory bodies will attend the WSIS. Chairman PTA is included in the delegation attending the summit. WSIS summit is being held in two phases. The first phase of WSIS is under way in Geneva while the second phase of the Summit will be held in Tunis in 2005.