​​​​ITU-T Study Group 3 - Tariff and accounting principles including related telecommunication economic and policy issues

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This page refers to a previous study period. For its most recent version, please see here.

Study Group 3 provides a unique global forum to improve the understanding of the financial and economic aspects associated with the growth of ICT, particularly with respect to the shift to IP-based and NGN/Future Networks and the exponential rise in mobile wireless communications. The traditional mandate of SG3, which continues today, dates back to the early days of the International Telegraph Union (in the 1800s) in terms of interconnection, the improvement of daily operations and the settlement of accounts. The membership of SG3 is diverse and includes Member States as well as service providers (Sector Members), Academia Members and international organizations (such as the World Trade Organization (WTO)).

Examples of organizations currently active in the work of the group include:

• ​​AT&T (United States)
• Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes - ARCEP (France)
  
• BT (United Kingdom)
• Conatel (Paraguay)
• Ericsson (Argentina)
• Federal Communications Commission – FCC (United States)
• GSMA
• KDDI (Japan)
• Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications - MIC (Japan)
• National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt (Egypt)
• Office of Communications – Ofcom (United Kingdom)
• Orange (France)
• Orange-Sonatel (Senegal)
• Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (Tanzania)
• Telefonica (Spain)
• Verizon (United States)​
  

SG3 is responsible for studies relating to tariff and accounting matters (including costing methodologies) for international telecommunications services. It also studies related telecommunications accounting, economic and policy issues. SG3 is the home for ITU-T D-Series Recommendations (available here).

The needs of developing countries are an important focus of the group. In particular, an Ad-Hoc Group on developing country issues meets at every meeting of SG3. In addition, regional groups play a key role across the globe for the development of regional tariff policy and cost models. There are 4 regional groups for SG3: SG3RG-AFR (Africa), SG3RG-AO (Asia and Oceania), SG3RG-ARB (Arab States), and SG3RG-LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean). These regional groups meet at least once a year and are preceded by tutorials and seminars on costs and tariffs, in collaboration with the ITU-D.

Work highlights

​In May 2013, SG3 approved a number of new supplements to Recommendations, including on international internet connectivity, on credit management and fraud mitigation for international telecommunication services.

During the 2009-2012 Study Period, one of the main highlights was the development of a new Recommendation ITU-T D.98 on mobile roaming tariffs. Furthermore, a revised Recommendation ITU-T D.195 shortened the time-scale for the settlement of accounts for international telecommunication services. A new supplement to Recommendation ITU-T D.211 covering the termination of international short message service (SMS) was also approved.

The mandate of SG3 is broad and complex. The group is tackling a growing number of issues, notably in light of the outcomes of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-12) and World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12).

These include, inter alia:

• NGN Charging and Accounting
• International Internet Connectivity, including IP peering, Regional Traffic Exchange Points, and cost of provision of services
• Economic impact of transition from IPv4 to IPv6
• Economic impact of OTTs
• Identification of relevant markets and significant market power (SMP)
• Mobile Roaming Issues (including roaming in border areas)
• Mobile Tariff Issues other than roaming
• Cross-border Connectivity Issues (Tariff Issues, Financial Aspects)
• Fixed and Leased Line Tariff Issues
• Pricing and accounting/settlement issues related to international telecom services
• Use of commercial agreements for the provision of international telecommunication services
• Dispute Resolution related to Charging and Invoicing
• Alternative Calling Procedures on international telecommunication networks
• Misappropriation and Misuse of Facilities and Services, including CLI, CPND and OI
• Network Externalities
• Key References
  

ITU-T D-Series Recommendations

• Resolutions and Opinion of WTSA-12 - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES
• Resolution 29 on Alternative Calling Procedures - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.29-2012
• Resolution 44 on Bridging the Standardization Gap - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.44-2012
• Resolution 54 on Creation of and Assistance to Regional Groups - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.54-2012
• Resolution 61 on Countering and combating Misappropriation and misuse of international telecommunication numbering resources - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.61-2012
• Resolution 62 on Dispute Settlement - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.62-2012
• Resolution 64 on IP address allocation and facilitating the transition to and deployment of IPv6 - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.64-2012
• Resolution 65 on Calling Party Number Delivery (CPND), Calling Line Identification (CLI), and Origin Identification (OI) - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.65-2012
• Opinion 1 on the Practical Application of Network Externality Premium - https://staging.itu.int/pub/T-RES-T.1000-2012

Final Acts of WCIT-12

• ITR Article 3.7 on Regional Traffic Exchange Points
• ITR Article 4.4 to 4.7 on Mobile Roaming
• ITR Article 8.1.2 on Encouraging Investments and Competitive Wholesale Pricing
• ITR Article 8.1.1. and 8.2.1 on Use of Commercial Agreements for international telecommunication service arrangements
• ITR Article 8.3.1 on Avoidance of Double Taxation for international telecommunication services
• WCIT Resolution 5 on International; telecoms service traffic termination and exchange​