22 April 2013
"Trends in Telecommunication Reform" now published
The 2013 edition of ITU’s flagship regulatory report ‘Trends in Telecommunication Reform’ highlights the increasingly global nature of information and communication technology (ICT) regulation and the crucial link between effective regulation of the ICT sector and the range, quality and affordability of ICT services available to consumers and business users alike.
Focusing on ‘Transnational Aspects of Regulation in a Networked Society’, this year’s report reveals an increasingly complex and interlinked legal and regulatory environment in which decisions taken in one market can have a major impact on neighbouring countries and even markets far away.
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17 April 2013
New Deputy to the Director and Chief of Administration & Operations Coordination Department
We are delighted to inform you that Mr Philippe Metzger has recently been appointed as Deputy to the Director and Chief of Administration & Operations Coordination Department of the BDT. Mr Metzger brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the ICT field as well as in international relations, from both the private and public sectors, having worked as Senior Legal Officer, Senior Corporate Counsel, Director of Trade Relations, Director Telecom and most recently as the Deputy Director General of the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) which is in charge of electronic communications policy and regulation within the Swiss Administration. More >
09 April 2013
Recently published – Regulation and consumer protection in a converging environment
The report describes and analyses the various resources, strategies and tools regulators need to improve the enforcement of national laws, rules and regulations governing consumer protection in a converging environment. The “golden rules for convergence” need to balance the following regulatory objectives:
- - Encourage investment in high-speed networks and advanced technological solutions ;
- - Protect innovators, creators and consumers from counterfeiting and piracy associated with the online distribution ;
- - Promote and safeguard e-commerce ;
- - Ensure consumers have all the information they need to make informed choices and have adequate protection and redress mechanism if things go wrong ;
- - Create a simpler, clearer regulatory framework and level playing field for distributors of content.
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08 April 2013
Sign up for GSR-13, Warsaw, Poland, 3-5 July 2013
 Registration is open for the Global Symposium for Regulators, to take place in Warsaw, Poland, from 3 to 5 July 2013. We’d like to thank those who have already registered and encourage others who are interested to register soon. It will be preceded by one day of pre-events on 2nd July 2013.
Under the overarching theme of “4th Generation regulation: driving digital communications ahead“ participants will examine the transformational nature of communications and the evolution to 4th generation ICT regulation in a connected society led by the changing nature of the communications ecosystem, changing market dynamics and traffic patterns, and changing regulatory practices and roles.
Since its launch in 2000, the annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) has provided a unique venue for regulators and policy-makers from both developed and developing countries to meet and exchange views and experiences. It has covered a wide range of topics that are subsequently published in our highly popular Trends publication. For a preview of Trends 2013 take a look at some recent ITU News articles:
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08 April 2013
Regional Preparatory Meeting for Commonwealth of Independent States (RPM CIS) – Chaiman’s Report is available!
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2014 (WTDC 2014)
Regional Preparatory Meeting for CIS countries (RPM CIS) took place
from 19 to 21 February in Chisinau, Moldova, preceded by the Regional
Development Forum (RDF) for CIS countries on 18 February. Both events
were hosted by the Government of Moldova.More >
13 March 2013
Participate in developing our new Spectrum Management Training Programme
Would you like to join us in developing high level training materials for the Spectrum Management programme?
We are pleased to inform you that we are embarking on the development of a Spectrum Management Training Programme (SMTP), the first in a series of educational programmes to be developed under the ITU Academy. SMTP will provide high level training materials in all areas of Spectrum Management, which will be developed by experts drawn from within and outside the ITU. The new Programme will cover a full range of topics. It will constitute the global “golden standard” for Spectrum Management training.
The ultimate aim is to have an ITU certified programme that can be delivered through various channels, such as Centres of Excellence or universities.
The SMTP is designed for anyone who would like to enhance and broaden their professional knowledge while working in the field of Spectrum Management, such as those working in a national regulatory authority or a company operating in wireless communications.
We would like to invite all stakeholders to join the ITU in the development of the SMTP.
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27 February 2013
Welcome to our new Sector Members
We are delighted to welcome the following new Sector Members and Associate:
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20 February 2013
New premises for ITU Asia Pacific Regional Office
We are delighted to announce that our Regional Office for Asia and Pacific has moved to new premises. The new office held an opening event with some 100 guests from the Ministries of ICT and Foreign Affairs from Thailand, NBTC, leading industries, UN agencies, regional organizations including APT, IMPACT (the venue of ITU TELECOM World)/PICO, academia and former officials as well as our IT colleagues from ITU Head Quarters and all staff of the Asia Pacific Regional Office. More >
18 February 2013
Regional Preparatory Meeting for CIS takes place in Chisinau, Moldova
 Preparations for ITU’s upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference were launched in Chisinau, Moldova with the Regional Preparatory Meeting (RPM) for CIS, preceded by a one day Regional Development Forum (RDF) for CIS.ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference 2014 (WTDC-14) will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 31 March – 11 April 2014. The gathering of policy makers, regulators and experts from around the world will prepare a plan of action for the next four years.
Noting that the CIS Region is one of the most dynamic and fast moving regions of the world in terms of ICT development, Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, said, “Now that the region has almost achieved universal access to mobile communications, the next challenge is to develop fixed and mobile broadband on the same scale. This will contribute to sustainable development through timely service delivery for health, education, banking, and business.” More >
17 January 2013
Sector Membership - who joined recently
15 December 2012
ITU-IMPACT Cybersecurity Innovation Centre for Arab region
 ITU and its cybersecurity partner, the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT), has announced a partnership with the Information Technology Authority (ITA) of Oman for the first Cybersecurity Innovation Centre to cater to the needs of the Arab region. Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau and Dr. Salim Sultan al Ruzaiqi, Chief Executive Officer, ITA Sultanate of Oman, signed the Agreement on 15 December 2012 in Oman. With a total investment of over USD 2 million from the Oman government and ITU, the establishment of the new Cybersecurity Innovation Centre will play a pivotal role in supporting ITU-IMPACT’s global headquarters in Malaysia in localizing cybersecurity services and support to meet the unique needs of the Arab region. The Centre will also serve as a catalyst for enhancing regional cooperation, coordination and collaboration to address escalating cyber threats.
07 December 2012
Connecting the unconnected
 First WCIT-12 Resolution approved and applauded
It was heartening and appropriate that the first Resolution to be approved during the landmark WCIT-12 was all about connecting those who are still not connected.
Virtually every facet of modern life depends on information and communication technologies.
ITU is at the very heart of the ICT sector, brokering agreement on technologies, services, and the allocation of global resources to create a seamless global communications system that’s robust, reliable, and constantly evolving.
This is part of ITU’s vision and mandate to connect the world and World Conference on International Telecommunications ( #WCIT12) presents a unique opportunity to further this aim.
The first Resolution that has been passed at WCIT-12 by ITU Member States comes from Ad Hoc Group 3 of the Plenary and refers to special measures for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDSs) for access to international optical fibre networks.
Increased access to fibre optic networks plays a fundamental role in the exponential growth and rollout of broadband connectivity – essential for connection online and vital if we are to seriously advance towards real digital inclusion.
What is the Resolution all about?
The newly agreed Resolution reaffirms the right of access for landlocked countries to the sea and freedom of passage through the territory of transit countries by all means of transport, in accordance with applicable rules of international law.
These transit countries, in the exercise of their full sovereignty over their territory, have the right to take all measures necessary to ensure that the rights and facilities provided for landlocked countries in no way infringe upon their legitimate interests and also recognize the importance of telecommunications and new information and communication technologies (ICTs) to the development of LLDCs and SIDSs.
The Resolution agreed to at WCIT-12 resolves to instruct me, as the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, to study the special situation of telecommunication/ICT services in the LLDCs and SIDSs, taking into account the importance of access to international fibre optic networks at reasonable costs as well as to report to the ITU Council on measures taken with respect to the assistance provided to LLDCs and SIDSs.
The Resolution passed at WCIT-12 also invites the ITU Council and Member States to cooperate with LLDCs and SIDSs to take appropriate measures to ensure that the Union continues to collaborate actively in the development of telecommunication/ICT services in LLDCs and SIDSs as well assisting these countries in executing telecommunication infrastructure integration projects and programs.
The approved Resolution was unanimously supported by ITU Member States in the true spirit of consensus of ITU – And this lies at the heart of our mission in ITU and particularly its Development Sector, representing all nations no matter their circumstances, and working hard to achieve digital inclusion so that everyone can reap the enormous socio-economic benefits from being truly connected.
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06 December 2012
Global Forum on Human Capacity Development
 ITU Global ICT Forum on Human Capacity Development takes place in Cape Town, South Africa: 22-25 October 2012
The ITU Global ICT Forum on Human Capacity Development (HCD) took place from 22-25 October 2012, in the scenic city of Cape Town, South Africa. The theme of the Forum was “Digital Inclusion: Transition from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting”. The event attracted approximately 282 delegates from 56 countries.
The Forum was a high-level event which brought together various experts, including high-level officials, policymakers, regulators, non-governmental organisations, academia and private sector. These experts came from a broad range of areas such as telecommunications, human capacity development, education, business, management, and informatics. They exchanged useful experiences and discussed the capacity building challenges of transitioning to digital broadcasting and how to address these challenges. Delegates also discussed country case studies on the transition issue, in particular regarding human capacity development.
The event was hosted by the Department of Communications of the Republic of South Africa, under its eSkills Institute, and Telkom South Africa. The eSkills Institute used the Forum to host its 2nd, national e-Skills Summit, which drew many delegates from the e-Skills partner institutions within South Africa. At the end of the Forum they were able to come up with their own Agenda for Action. The experience of South Africa with its eSkills Agenda was very instructive for other countries who felt it was something they could also emulate.
During the Forum, the Director of BDT, Mr Brahima Sanou, launched the ITU Academy, and emphasised the importance of capacity building for any nation-building and for development in general.
06 December 2012
ITU Yearbook of Statistics
The 38th edition of the ITU Yearbook of Statistics was published in December, 2012. The Yearbook of Statistics 2012 shows the evolution of telecommunication sector, the availability of ICTs in households and the usage of ICTs by individuals for some 190 economies worldwide. Data tables cover the time period 2002-2011. The updated version of the World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database was also released.More >
04 December 2012
Discovering BDT Publications – Trends in Telecommunication Reform
 BDT’s Regulatory and Market Environment Team is pleased to introduce the twelfth edition of Trends in Telecommunication Reform. The Trends Report is an integral component of the ongoing dialogue between the BDT and the world’s ICT regulators. As in past years, the theme of the 2012 Trends Report – “Smart Regulation for a Broadband World” – found its genesis in the Global Symposium for Regulators of the previous year, which took place in September 2011 in Armenia City, Colombia.
The 2012 Trends Report contains ten chapters that explore a wealth of legal and regulatory issues that are emerging as broadband becomes ubiquitous and as the digital economy grows.
- Chapter 1 sets the foundation for the discussion about regulation for a broadband world by outlining key trends in the ICT market and in ICT regulation.
- Chapter 2 discusses the issues surrounding the development of national broadband strategies, policies, and plans; it includes the presentation of a decision tree designed to assist policymakers and regulators in making key regulatory and policy choices as they formulate national broadband plans.
- Chapter 3 examines open access regulation in the digital economy. It considers what forms of regulation may be appropriate at various levels of the ICT value chain. It also discusses how the nature of broadband networks may require changes to existing approaches to open access.
- Chapter 4 considers strategies and models for funding universal broadband access. Special attention is given to universal access funds.
- Chapter 5 examines broadband-enabled innovation and outlines policy approaches that can promote such innovation.
- Chapter 6 focuses on social media. It provides a backgrounder on social media and considers how the regulatory community can use social media in discharging its duties. It also assesses the policy issues raised by social media in light of the fact that ICT regulators may be asked to establish a policy framework for the use of social media generally in society.
- Chapter 7 examines intellectual property rights (IPR) in the digital economy and the role of ICT regulators and policy-makers in protecting these rights.
- Chapter 8 considers the regulatory landscape for mobile banking (m-banking). In addition to assessing the two main m-banking models, this chapter surveys the regulatory issues that arise from the provision of m-banking services.
- Chapter 9 addresses the problem of electronic waste (e-waste). It surveys the issues surrounding e-waste and proposes policy approaches that ICT regulators can adopt to address e-waste.
- Chapter 10 provides the conclusions to the Report.
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