FG Innovation

The ITU-T Focus Group on Bridging the Gap: From Innovation to Standards was established by ITU-T TSAG at its meeting in Geneva, 10-13 January 2012.

The Terms of Reference of the Focus Group are available here.

This focus group provides an initial platform for recognition and identification of innovations emerging in developing countries that may benefit from standardization. The main objective is to support the activities of ITU-T Study groups to further support innovation and close the digital divide (Res.71 of PP-10).

The group is expected to carry out the following tasks:

• In cooperation with ITU-D, document case studies of successful examples of ICT innovations, including those that have emerged in developing countries, and identify relevant standardization gaps. Particular focus should be on the socioeconomic impact of ICT innovation that have emerged in developing countries;
• Analyze the innovations that may be standardized and identify best practices which can facilitate the implementation of such innovations in other parts of the world;
• Identify a few case studies which, in particular, developing countries can adopt to enhance their ICT innovation and standardization capabilities in order to improve their socio-economic development;
• Identify the issues developing countries may be facing to bring their ICT innovation to ITU-T.
• Suggest future ITU-T study items and related actions;
• Examine how other Standards Development Organizations, forums and consortia address ICT innovation, and integrate them into their standardization activities;
• Promote its activity at World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) meeting in November 2012.

ITU-T TSAG is the parent group of this Focus Group.