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Treaty to give new impetus to ICT sector development
European telcos propose constructive input to
global ICT treaty
Geneva, 20 April 2012 - European operators meeting at a
joint International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and European
Telecommunications Network Operators’ Association (ETNO) event have agreed that
upcoming revisions to the treaty that governs international telecommunications
should act as a positive catalyst for the future development of ICT, to benefit
all countries.
Meeting in Brussels this week to discuss preparation for the World Conference
on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12)
which will be held in Dubai, 3-14 December, ITU representatives described the
mechanisms for input into the WCIT process and some of the emerging themes. An
open discussion allowed industry to present its views.
All participants agreed that revisions to the International Telecommunication
Regulations (ITRs) should foster the right conditions to allow markets to
flourish within a long term vision backed by sustainable business models.
WCIT-12 will review the ITRs, which are widely credited for creating the
basis of today's connected world, thus the international regulatory framework
governing all ICT technologies. The ITRs opened the door in the 1990s for mobile
and the Internet.
WCIT-12 will express the common will of ITU's major stakeholders – its
government and private sector membership – including many of ETNO’s membership.
Meetings such as this, as well as ITU’s formal
Council
Working Group and the other
regional preparatory meetings are part of an ongoing process to ask for
input and feedback from all stakeholders.
Some of the proposals currently being discussed by ITU membership,
governments and private sector companies from around the world, include the
right to communicate; security in the use of ICTs and the protection of national
resources; taxation, roaming; misuse and hijacking of international numbers and
interoperability.
Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General, ITU: “WCIT will be ITU’s second treaty
making conference in 2012. The World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12)
was a shining example of what can be achieved for the good of industry and the
world’s inhabitants. A lot has changed since the ITRs were last revised. I think
we can all agree that this conference comes at a time when technology is having
a major impact on economic and social development. WCIT represents a
once-in-a-generation opportunity, for all stakeholders to work together to
extend the benefits of ICTs still further.”
Luigi Gambardella (ETNO), Chairman Executive Board ETNO: “The current ITRs
have been a great success and have allowed us to get to where we are today in
terms of Internet growth. However, today's Internet business models are becoming
unsustainable in the face of an exponential growth in data traffic. We need to
address the current disconnect between sources of revenue and sources of costs
and decide upon the most appropriate way to do so.”
For more information please contact:
Toby Johnson
Senior Communications Officer
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Thierry Dieu
ETNO Director for Communications and Public Policy
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Sarah Parkes
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
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About ETNOETNO’s 40 member companies
and 10 observers from Europe and beyond represent a significant part of total
ICT activity in Europe. They account for an aggregate annual turnover of more
than €600 billion and employ over 1.6 million people. ETNO companies are the
main drivers of broadband and are committed to its continual growth in Europe.
Twitter: @ETNOAssociation
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