Participants of the fourth World Telecommunication Policy Forum acknowledged the far-reaching importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in extending the benefits of the Information Society for all. Participation in the Information Society by means of current and modern communication technologies offers the prospect of significant and sizeable benefits.

At the same time, new telecommunication policy and regulatory issues are emerging, associated with convergence, technological change and the advent of next-generation networks (NGNs), inter alia. New and evolving challenges are arising in relation to concepts of regulation, universal service, the availability and affordability in the provision of telecommunication services, especially in a challenging economic climate. The World Telecommunication Policy Forum 2009 was convened to address these and related concerns. In this respect, consensus was reached on a number of opinions:

• OPINION 1: Internet-related public policy matters

• OPINION 2: The implications of the advent of next-generation networks (NGNs) and advanced broadband access

• OPINION 3: ICT and the Environment

• OPINION 4: Collaborative strategies for creating confidence and security in the use of ICTs

• OPINION 5: Capacity building in support of the adoption of IPv6

• OPINION 6: The International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs)