Background

The Workshop was organised by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in collaboration with the Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC).

In the competition era, the cost and tariff issue is moving to the heart of the market strategies of the telecommunication service providers, especially the network operators. In the same time, the markets are not fully opened yet to competition. In most of the countries licenses have been or are being given to separate operators who need to be interconnected to the fixed network through the incumbent’s, but request cost orientated rates.

The ITU have been working hard on co-ordinating the discussions for a multilateral framework for a transition to cost orientated accounting rates and, at the same time, on setting-up the principles of an acceptable cost model.

This objective of the seminar was to enhance the awareness of the CIS countries and update their knowledge with the developments that occurred recently in cost model principles. It will provide clarity on principles and basis for costing of Telecom services and the implications for Universal Service pricing as well as interconnection cost. The practical aspects of implementing Universal Service Obligation and conditions governing Interconnection in the context of competition are also covered to enable better understanding of the issues.

The Seminar was attended by participants from the CIS Operators and Regulators.