Assistance in Telecommunication Policies and Regulations in the Asia-Pacific Region (9RAS09031)
In the Asia Pacific Region, the ITU is implemented the five regional initiatives developed during WTDC'06 (ASP RI1) Telecommunication/ICT Policy and Regulatory Cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region, (ASP RI2) Rural Communications - Infrastructure Development, (ASP RI3) NGN Planning, (ASP RI4) Unique Telecommunication/ICT needs of Pacific Islands and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and (ASP RI5) Strengthening the collaboration between ITU-T and ITU-D.
This project focuses primarly on implementing the Regional Initiatives ASP RI1 and ASP RI4 by organizing trainings, workshops and providing country specific actions in response to specifi ICT related needs. To implement activities that would work towards addressing these needs, the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) and the ITU signed an MoU in January 2009 wherein a contribution of CHF 591'000 has been made by DBCDE. In addition, funds from project 7TIM04002 of USD 51'703 and funds from project 9RAS07023 of USD 22'385 were be transferred to this project. This project document details the activities that will be carried out under this project
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ITU NBTC Training Program 2013 (9THA13019)
The Office of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, Thailand, intends to support a capacity building project together with the International Telecommunication Union (hereinafter, the “Project”), to enhance the skills of its staff and the staff of telecommunication/ICT stakeholders in various areas of telecommunication/ICT and broadcasting development. Based on the ITU Asia-Pacific Regional Initiative on Policy and Regulation and among other development programs, initiatives and activities, the ITU and the Office of NBTC would like to carry out this Project through organizing three training courses between March and December 2013 in Thailand. To implement this Project, the Office of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the ITU have signed a Voluntary Contribution Agreement wherein a contribution of USD 80,300 will be made by the Office of the NBTC to ITU. |
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Licensee Monitoring and Compliance Framework (9THA10012)
The ITU-NTC joint project of licensee monitoring and complaince aims at assisting the Office of National Telecommunications Commission (ONTC) Thailand in reviewing its existing regulatory framework with prime focus on monitoring, compliance and enforcement of licence in 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 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 ONTC 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. |
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Master Plan for wireless broadband in Asia and the Pacific (9RAS10036)
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are widely recognized as key drivers of private sector investment, employment and socio-economic development. However, while industrialized countries are rapidly and effectively levaraging the benefits of ICTs, many developing and least developed countries have yet to realise full potential of ICT, resulting in widening the gaps in socio-economic development including delays in availing potential opportunities and prosperity offered by ICT.
Considering the importance of ICT and it potential in narrowing the gaps, the Asia Pacific Regional Inititiative (ASP RIs) established in WTDC-10 defined a clear priority on broadband development, naming "Broadband Access and Uptake in Urban and Rural Areas" as ASP RI4. While large investments are pouring into laying out optical fibre networks for domestic and international connectivity, access remains a key challenge to connect people, particularly those living in difficult terrains or scattered areas. Wireless technologies could be one of the promising options to encourage affordable access especially for the last mile to cover rural and remote areas. Hence, most of the Small Islands Developing States, LDCs, Countries in Special Needs and Developing Countries are considering wireless connectivity for the last mile as one of the primary solutions.
Therefore, in order to facilitate building wireless broadband in developing and least developed countries, ITU in close collaboration with Korean Government, intends to implement a project on master plan for wireless broadband in the Asia-Pacific Region. Under this project the following outputs will be delivered:
-Survey results on the status of the broadband in ASP region;
-Wireless Broadband Master Plans for selected countries in the Asia Pacific Region;
-Enhanced skills through training for making wireless broadband master plan. |
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Pilot Biddings for USO Projects in Two Provinces of Thailand (9THA12013)
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have jointly implemented a project on Universal Service Obligation Policy in Thailand whereby a new (draft) USO policy has been proposed to the Commission. Among other things, the new policy states that Universal Service Providers will be selected through competitive biddings for which a framework will be recommended by the ongoing joint NBTC/ITU project.
In preparation for adoption of the new policy, the NBTC wishes to conduct pilot biddings for USO projects using the recommended framework. In this regard, the NBTC has agreed to initiate and implement this project with the ITU to identify the recommended bidding and evaluation frameworks for selecting Univesal Service Providers to implement USO projects in two provinces of Thailand. The two provinces have been identified as Pitsanulok and Mahasarakham provinces |
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Promoting Transformational Power of Broadband (9RAS13046)
Broadband has been recognized for its impact on nations’ socio-economic development and achieving Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, access and usage of broadband are increasingly considered as essential prerequisites that need to be universally available to all citizens. Convergence, digitalization and change from network centric to device centric architecture has provided tremendous opportunities for creation of User Generated Content. This has enabled the possibility of participation for anyone, anywhere, anytime in the information society through socio-economic advances and improvements in entrepreneurship especially rural / remote / marginalized communities in improving quality of life.
Based on the successes and lessons learned from countries, especially Malaysia through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) which have played a critical role to promote broadband and encourage the communities at the roots for their betterment in their lives through the belief that “Everything is possible with broadband”, MCMC has captured five stories which were told in video format about how broadband transforms lives. The stories have inspired people, not only the citizens of Malaysia, but also many in other parts of the world who have seen the videos. It is demonstrated that the approach adopted by the MCMC is so productive and effective that it should be expanded to the international level with an aim to create wide impact and awareness to as many as possible.
Recognizing the common objectives, ITU and MCMC wish to initiate a contest on promoting the transformational power of broadband – “Connecting at the Roots” - which will invite applications for capturing stories about broadband and its impact to individuals and society, based on true stories. |
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Rehabilitation of the Information Communication Training Institute (9AFG02002)
Under this project ITU will provide expert services for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Information and Communication Training Institute (ICTI) in Kabul. This includes rehabilitation of the existing and construction of a new building, a dormitory for 120 students and other premises required for normal functioning of the Institute. The project also covers development of training programmes, including upgrading of existing and establishment of new training courses and related laboratories to meet actual and long term training needs of the country in the area of information and communication technologies. For this purpose, at least 20 instructors/ trainers will be trained abroad in training courses development and delivery in information and communication technologies. At the end of the project the ICTI in Kabul will be equipped to deliver (1) short training courses on ICT related subjects for young Afghan students (Male & Female), (2) on duty refresher courses for MoC staff, (3) two-year technician-level academic courses, and (4) academic courses in 4 years training programme for engineering levels.
The project is a donation of the Government of the I. R. of Iran to the Government of Afghanistan |
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Seminar on Universal Service Obligation in Thailand (9THA10011)
ITU and The Office of National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Thailand would like to establish a partnership to strengthen human capacity building and to provide a forum for policy makers, regulators, experts and interested people to discuss various issues related to telecommunications and ICTs. To this effect this project aims to enhance the skills of TRIDI, NTC and other participants in the areas of Universal Service Obligation, ICT accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, and Broadband policy through organization of a three-day seminar in Bankok. |
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Support for Harmonization of the ICT Policies in Sub-Sahara Africa (HIPSSA) (7RAF08070)
The HIPSSA project, which covers the entire Sub-Saharan Africa, supports the regional organizations in up-dating or developing new regional policy and legislative ICT guidelines. In the second phase, the project is offering technical assistance to the Member States for national transposition of the above regional guidelines. Where regional guidelines are already available, technical assistance is offered directly. |
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Support for the Establishment of Harmonized Policies for the ICT Market in the ACP (7GLO08061)
This project is being implemented under three separate sub-projects in order to customize it to the needs of each region:
• Support for Harmonization of the ICT Policies in Sub-Sahara Africa (HIPSSA);
• Enhancing competitiveness in the Caribbean through the harmonization of ICT Policies, Legislation and Regulatory Procedures (HIPCAR);
• Capacity Building and ICT Policy, Regulatory and Legislative Frameworks Support for Pacific Island Countries (ICB4PAC). |
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Support Suriname in the Development of a National School Connectivity Plan and Model Connect Schools (AMS-01-11)
The ITU has launched a public-private partnership initiative to promote broadband school connectivity to serve both students and the communities in which they live. The ITU has developed an on-line toolkit to promote broadband school connectivity to ensure that youth and children have access to and use ICTs.
By identifying best practices in school connectivity initiatives related to policies, regulation, applications, services and practical experiences, this proyect aims to support Suriname in the development of a National School Connectivity Plan as well as the implementation of pilot project to connect at least two schools in Suriname with computers. |
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Universal Service Obligation in Thailand (9RAS09029)
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved the Master Plan for Telecommunications Services, N° 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.
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. |
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