Alessia Magliarditi, Promotion Officer, ITU-T: Overview of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) in the light of the main results of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-08)

Abstract

This presentation will first provide a general overview of the ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), responsible for telecommunication standards (ITU-T Recommendations).

ITU-T Recommendations are defining elements in information and communication technologies (ICTs) infrastructure. Whether we exchange voice, data or video messages, communications cannot take place without standards linking the sender and the receiver. Today’s work extends well beyond the traditional areas of telephony to encompass a far wider range of information and communications technologies.

In addition, this presentation will give a brief overview of today priority work areas that ensure the needs of developing countries are taken into account in the development of global ICTs; accessibility; adopting international standards to ensure seamless global communications and interoperability for next generation networks (NGN); building confidence and security in the use of ICTs; emergency communications to develop early warning systems and to provide access to communications during and after disasters; the reduction of the impact of ICTs on climate change as well as a better understanding of how ICTs can mitigate its effects.

Finally, this presentation will show the main results of the last World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) - held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October 2008 – and, in particular, it will focus on the Resolutions of interest of developing countries aimed at facilitating participation and actions to reduce the standardization gap.

Marco Carugi, ITU-T Expert and SG13 Vice-Chair, Independent Consultant: NGN studies in ITU-T

Abstract

Next generation networks (NGN) and specially converged networks are the future of modern telecommunications. NGN is the basis for the growth of today’s telecommunications industry.

This presentation will provide a brief overview of the progress of the NGN standardization activities in ITU-T Study Group 13. In line with approved and ongoing ITU-T Recommendations developed to satisfy the NGN objectives, and using the basic service-oriented concept of "NGN capabilities", some key achievements and future steps in various technical domains will be described.

The presentation will also touch some service topics of relevance in the market and currently generating interest and contributions within the overall standardization community such as IPTV and multimedia services, managed delivery services and NGN open service environment.

Martin Adolph, Project Officer, Standardization Policy Division, ITU-T: Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN) in NGN

Abstract

Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN) in NGN is a conceptual network built over existing physical networks which make use of sensed data and provide knowledge services to anyone, anywhere and at anytime, and where the information is generated by using context awareness, using wire-line sensor networks and/or Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs).

WSNs, wireless networks consisting of interconnected and spatially distributed autonomous devices using sensors to cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, sound, vibration, pressure, motion or pollutants) at different locations. Such isolated simple applications and services have been evolving with network evolution connecting the new intelligent information and existing network infrastructures called Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN). It opens wide possibilities for applications for various customers such as human consumers, public organizations, enterprises, government, etc.

The recently consented new Recommendation ITU-T Y.2221 (Mar del Plata, Argentina, September 2009), "Requirements for support of Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN) applications and services in the NGN environment" provides a description and general characteristics of Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN) and USN applications and services. It also analyzes service requirements of USN applications and services, and specifies extended or new NGN capability requirements based on the service requirements.

Marco Carugi, ITU-T Expert and SG13 Vice-Chair, Independent Consultant: WTSA-08 Resolution 76, a way to conformity and interoperability for ICTs

Abstract

2008’s World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-08) addressed conformance and interoperability testing issues in discussions which led to the adoption of Resolution 76: Studies related to conformance and interoperability testing, assistance to developing countries, and a possible future ITU mark programme.

The aim is to have ITU-T Study Groups more actively involved in developing test suites in key areas of ICTs and to have TSB assist developing countries increase their capacity to conduct tests. This includes the planning and creation of their own test facilities.

Additionally, the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) is instructed to gather information on the effects of implementation on ITU, manufacturers, market, and QoS, as well as possible mechanisms to do so. This presentation will show some of the results of the study that will form the basis of a report to the ITU Council 2009.

This presentation is addressed to industry, customers and end-users of ICT products and services, test laboratories, regulators, governments, certification organizations, standard bodies, operators, service providers and representatives of civil society.

Participants will see how the establishment of a common understanding of conformity assessment will increase the probability of interoperability and how this area is linked to the quality of standards, quality of service and can be beneficial to all the stakeholders.