Policy and regulatory round table (Session S.1)
The Latin American and Caribbean countries have been engaged in a huge effort of modernization of their telecommunications and information infrastructure which is now bearing fruit: new business opportunities have arisen, fostering economic and social development, but also requiring a new definition of the regulatory framework and a new approach to the competition, investment, and strategic policies. This first session of the Forum concentrates on the policy and regulatory issues with a view to launching the debate for the following sessions of the Strategies and Technology Summits highlighting the vision of the top policy-makers and decision-makers who set the trends on the international telecommunications scene. Under the heading Americas TELECOM 96 Forum meets the press, this session brings the panelits face to face with a group of five journalists and is orchestrated like a public press conference.
Industry round table (Session S.2)
Mirroring the policy and regulatory round table, this session presents the view of the major industrial groups on the changes transforming the Latin American scene today. Led by a panel of journalists, this sessions offers the opportunity for major manufacturers and service providers to explain their strategies for the American continent, and measure them against the policies and regulations set out by the ministers of the countries concerned.
The role of private investors (Session S.3)
All analyses agree that private investment and initiative holds the key to telecommunication development. This is true not only for the development of existing infrastructures and new networks, but also for the introduction of the associated services and applications. Nevertheless, there is still room for discussion on sources of funding, methods of financing (direct foreign investment, use of international mechanisms like the Telecommunications Development Burau of the ITU, the International Monetary Fund, WorldTel, the World Bank, etc.), and issues relating to property, different kinds of alliances, prerequisites for investment (political and economic stability, bringing inflation under control, skill and availability of the workforce, potential of an emerging economy, etc.).
Competition in Latin America (Session S.4)
The purpose of this session is to open debate on three areas for reflection: striking a balance between regulation and competition (what role should regulatory bodies play to ensure that the rules of free competition are respected? should the market be regulated, and if so, by whom and how?); the role of foreign investors in the Latin American market; and, lastly, the challenges for the establishment of South American businesses and alliances in the face of competition from North American "giants" (how can south-south or east-west regional alliances be promoted rather than the traditional north-south flows? how can a critical mass be achieved in order to ensure financial and operational stability?).
Building regulatory capability (Session S.6)
The regulatory bodies originally established in monopolistic markets are currently undergoing radical change. The privatization of national telecommunications, market liberalization, the creation of independent regulatory authorities and the establishment of a new legal framework are all high on the agenda in many countries, including those of Latin America. This raises the question of developing and instituting regulatory know-how, since these are complex issues where expertise is lacking. The session should provide an opportunity to address the challenges awaiting traditional regulatory bodies, especially if they wish to abandon their "policing" function in favour of a more inspiring but delicate role as the stimulus for the harmonious development of the telecommunication market.
Business impact of wireless technologies (Session S.7)
Wireless telecommunications are a booming market today. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. On the one hand, portable telephones herald the personal, personalized services of tomorrow's intelligent networks. They also have the added advantage of symbolizing freedom and comfort, an image which vendors are quick to exploit. More importantly, wireless telecommunications are capable of solving problems in areas where conventional networks are uneconomical: coverage of rural areas which are sparsely populated or not easily accessible, the "last kilometre" of infrastructure which, in wired networks, requires heavy investment, etc.
Reconciling social and commercial objectives (Session S.8)
Economic and commercial issues are currently at the heart of debate in Latin America, where countries are gradually proceeding from the stage of constructing their telecommunication infrastructures to that of the emergence of their economies, the development of which relies on the new communication and information services thus established. Yet social issues still remain and it could be said that new economies bring new fears. What will become of the basic service? What will be the fate of universal service? Are we once again in the process of producing a two-track world, with the fast lane reserved for the information-rich, prospering in economies based on knowledge, and those in the slow lane left to fend for themselves?
Telecommunications and trade (Session S.9)
The WTO telecommunications negotiations were completed at the end of April 1996. This session offers a perfect platform to examine the impact which the new international regimes resulting from the talks will have on the telecommunication market, and in particular market structure, service provision and the effect of regional agreements (MERCOSUR, OAS, etc.).
Regional and national networks in transition (Session T.1)
Technological progress, the introduction of intelligent networks and new traffic engineering algorithms and models, coupled with new user requirements in terms of quality of service, reliability, bandwidth and mobility, all have enormous implications for network structure, operation and maintenance. This session studies particular regional approaches, in Argentina and Brazil, and explores the challenges facing network designers and administrators as we move into the 21st century.
Satellite communications (Session T.2)
Satellite communications have made considerable progress since the last Forum held in the Americas region. They now play a driving role in the development and liberalization of telecommunications, with the capability of covering rural areas with sparse populations or providing multimedia or mobile telephone services. Moreover, the introduction of systems based on loworbit satellites is revolutionizing satellite network operating methods.
Land mobile communications (Session T.3)
Various aspects of land mobile communications are discussed, such as network planning, the standardization of land mobile services, the development of radiolocation systems, the code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems used in the United States, and more generally the role of wireless communications in universal personal communications.
Telecommunication management network (TMN) standards applications in the Americas (Session T.5)
This round table session addresses the issues involved in introducing network management and efficient maintenance. In a region where telecommunications are becoming a basic production and support tool for the economy, the questions of quality of service and reliability have never been more relevant. Discussions will focus on the catalytic role which standardization has played in this evolution of ideas, responsibilities and knowledge.
Utilizing the existing telecommunications infrastructure (Session T.6)
Applications are proliferating, from telephony to ISDN, not to mention cable television and videoondemand, on-line services and Internet. The required bandwidth increases with user expectation and the development of multimedia. What technologies will best satisfy these requirements, and at what cost? Can the present infrastructure be used (upgraded) to provide all the services expected? If so, how?
Wireless local loop alternatives (Session T.7)
Wireless technologies open up new possibilities for establishing the "last kilometre" of infrastructure, the local loop. Moreover, they are very attractive for countries whose "fixed" infrastructure is not very highly developed or which display a low teledensity, providing an economical means of securing broad access to communication facilities. These economic considerations are also a factor in opening markets up to competition.
Broadband and multimedia technologies (Session T.8)
Broadband and multimedia personal communication systems herald the information highways of tomorrow. If Internet and the World Wide Web today still constitute the general public's main source of reference when contemplating what tomorrow may bring in the way of applications, technological development indicates that reality will probably be very different, as progress seems to completely outstrip our ability to imagine the services that might soon be introduced.
Emergency telecommunications (Session S.5)
Like all other regions of the world, the Americas are subject to the whims of nature and from time to time are struck by catastrophes liable to claim numerous victims, destroy infrastructures and equipment and overturn organizational structures. Tornadoes, cyclones and earthquakes are particularly prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean. In each case, speed of intervention is decisive for the effectiveness of relief teams, and telecommunications are fundamental to the process of communicating information and mobilizing the necessary resources.ITU is currently working with other organizations to prepare an international convention on telecommunications in the event of natural disaster, with a view to strengthening global coordination and thereby facilitating the implementation of relief plans. The session highlights the role of telecommunications in the delivery of emergency humanitarian and medical assistance, by providing a rostrum for those with practical experience of work in the field, experts called upon to operate in locations which are by definition difficult, and those who ask for nothing for their work behind the scenes, such as radio amateurs.
Recent progress in television, interactivity and multimedia (Session T.4)
This session is aimed at assessing the current state of the art in digital audiovisual applications and at comparing ventures currently under way in Brazil, the United States, Europe and Japan before providing an insight into the next century's applications and services.
Towards the information age (Session S.10)
Expansion in the whole telecommunications sector is predicted to continue at more than 15 per cent per year over the next five year in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region is now at a turning point : the era of development is giving way to an era of expansion and now that infrastructure has been built up, it is time to enter the information age.