Interoperability is a major reason for the need for standards and thus a core part of ITU’s mission to connect the world. "ITU Recommendations are truly global in nature and are developed through processes that fully respect the objectives of openness, transparency and non-discrimination, as recognized in international agreements."

The ITU will hold a series of regional Consultations on Conformance Assessment and Interoperability which will be open to members and non-members of ITU.

The standardization sector of ITU (ITU-T) is researching problems faced by developing countries concerning the conformity and interoperability of ICT equipment and services. In addition it is considering the views of industry and administrations on this subject and implementing its Conformity and Interoperability programme according to WTSA-08 Resolution 76. (See: http://www.itu.int/net/ITU-T/cdb/Default.aspx)

The events will take place in the Americas, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Each event will follow a similar format with a brief review of Res. 76, the decisions of the ITU Council and of ITU’s Conformance and Interoperability programme.

The Consultations will also consider contributions submitted to tsbworkshops@itu.int at least two weeks before each event.

Topics to be discussed will include the following:

• Why Conformity and Interoperability? Conformity to standards as a first step to increase the probability of interoperability between products from different vendors.
• Developing Countries: Concerns and needs, benefits of Resolution 76, conformity assessment, capacity building test labs in the regions.
• Lack of conformity and interoperability: Economic and technical impact on operating companies, service providers, regulators and civil society.
• Industry views: Testing and certification, mutual recognition arrangements and agreements, impact on costs and time to market.
• Certification and testing: Global best practices for conformity assessment, interoperability and certification procedures performed by leading organizations. The role of international organizations and regulators.
• Improving the implementation of the ITU conformity and interoperability programme.
• Improving the functionality and effectiveness of the pilot conformity database as a tool to permit industry to show products declaring conformity to one or more ITU-T Recommendations

The Consultations will offer a platform for discussion that will help guide ITU’s implementation of its Conformity and Interoperability programme, will address conformity testing and will contribute to the effort of ITU to organize interoperability events. They will also provide input for a long term business plan. In addition ITU Consultations on Conformance Assessment and Interoperability will allow discussion on future capacity building, the establishment of test centres in the regions and cooperation between international and regional organizations and institutions in this field.

The targeted audience is representatives of operating companies, service providers, vendors, manufacturers, regulators, administrations, organizations from developing countries and civil society.