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Forum, 22-24 April
2009
Forum debates will take place over a three-day period,
from 22-24 April inclusive, on the following
topics:
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Convergence, INCLUDING Internet-related public policy matters |
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As new technologies and platforms steadily erode the links
between infrastructure and applications, convergence is arguably
the most powerful driving force transforming today’s ICT
landscape. One example is standard voice telephony, which is no
longer limited to copper-wire POTS networks, but carried via the
Internet, via co-axial cable TV links, and over the airwaves via
a range of wireless technologies.
At the same time, the Internet has rapidly grown from a
global information resource into a platform that increasingly
supports a huge range of critical processes and applications.
The crux of today’s Internet governance debate centres on
resource management, and in particular on the management of top
level domains, the allocation of IP addresses – and the
regulations stipulating who defines their associated rules. With
Internet demographics changing rapidly – Asia-Pacific now has
the largest share of users by region – and developing countries
greatly under-represented in current governance mechanisms,
there’s an urgent need to ensure governance frameworks reflect
new market realities.
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Next Generation Networks |
NGN packet-switched technology is already beginning to replace
the traditional circuit-switched networks that have served as
the basis of telephony since its inception. The ultimate goal:
seamless connectivity to broadband services over any network and
any device, worldwide.ITU is leading the move to NGNs through
its NGN Global Standards Initiative – one of the largest, most
wide-ranging standardization projects ever undertaken. But for
all their advantages, NGNs present their own challenges. In
areas like regulation, uncertainty remains as to whether
existing mechanisms are sufficient to support a smooth migration
while ensuring the continued interoperability with legacy
networks. This is vital to maintain effective and accessible
global communications.
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Emerging telecommunication policy and regulatory issues |
The increasing pervasiveness of ICTs and the rapid growth of
always-on IP-based services are creating new challenges for
service providers and users alike. Network security, data
privacy, identity management, online child protection and
digital rights management are just a few of the thorny issues
that demand considered, globally agreed strategies. At the same
time, new network and device types and fast-growing demand for
bandwidth are creating new spectrum and satellite management
issues that require a coordinated international approach.ICTs
can also play a pivotal role addressing climate change issues,
through their deployment as highly effective early warning
systems, through their use to monitor a wide range of climatic
variables, and through the opportunities they offer to help cut
emissions in other sectors. Power-saving technologies,
technologies to make cars, aircraft and other forms of transport
more fuel-efficient, and the use of next-generation
videoconferencing and online collaboration tools to reduce the
need for physical travel can all contribute to a greener,
cleaner planet.
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The International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) |
The International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) are a
treaty-level instrument setting out the principles governing the
provision and operation of international communications. While
the current ITRs have remained unchanged since coming into force
on 1 July 1990, the industry they relate to is undergoing an
unprecedented period of transformation, both technological and
operational. The advent of convergence and the growing dominance
of IP-based packet-switched networks, combined with widespread
liberalization of ICT markets through privatization and
competition, is rewriting the rules of the game. In many
countries, the role of government has evolved from being an
operator of analogue voice services to the policy maker and
regulator of a vast array of convergent multimedia services,
delivered over many different types of networks and devices.
WTPF will look at the need for a far-reaching overhaul of
current regulations in areas like network management,
identification of the origin of network traffic, security,
quality of service, the misuse of facilities and numbering
resources, network fraud and dispute resolution.
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