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Introduction
The Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) and the
Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International
Telecommunication Union are jointly organizing a forum on bridging the
standardization gap between developed and developing countries and on
deployment of Next Generation Networks in developing countries. This joint
activity is being carried out to implement PP-06 Resolutions 123 and 137
respectively.
Telecommunication standardization continues to evolve and grow in importance
as a result of the challenge of interconnecting increasing numbers of
operators providing multiple services using a variety of technologies over
competing networks, using equipment from a proliferation of equipment
manufacturers. Recently, the emergence of new technologies and technological
convergence among information and communication technologies (ICTs) have
created major standardization challenges for all stakeholders, particularly
in fields such as Next Generation Networks (NGN), multimedia, Voice over IP
(VoIP) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). Furthermore, the
standardization implications of these new ‘disruptive technologies’ for
regulation and for technical developmental issues must also be taken into
account.
The International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication
Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is the pre-eminent body for globally accepted
standards for information and communication technology (ICT). In recent
years we have witnessed ever greater cooperation with forums and other
Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and ITU-T has taken a lead role
in coordination throughout the standards world. As an international
standards body, ITU-T is able to provide global applicability for standards
by taking on the responsibility of referencing work that is taking place
across all the different SDOs. An increasing spirit of cooperation has
allowed standards development to keep pace with what the industry requires.
In addition to PP-06 Resolutions 123 and 137 (Antalya, 2006), this Forum
will also address relevant Resolutions from WTDC-06 (Doha, 2006) and WTSA-04
Resolutions 44 (Florianopolis, 2004) “Bridging the standardization gap
between developing and developed countries”) and 54 (Florianopolis, 2004).
The Forum is aimed at encouraging greater understanding of, and
participation in, the work of ITU-T. This forum will explain how to become
involved in ITU-T activities in order to champion the interests of African
countries in the development of international ICT standards.
The three day event will take place from 2-4 October 2007 in Kigali, Rwanda,
hosted by the Rwandan government, and is aimed at network operators, service
providers, equipment manufacturers, policy-makers and regulators and
national administrations. The meeting is open to participation all
interested parties in addition to ITU Member States, Sector Members and
Associates.
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