INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION RADIOCOMMUNICATION ADVISORY GROUP GENEVA, 23-25 JANUARY 1995 Document RAG95/7-E 9 December 1994 Original: English REPORT OF THE RAPPORTEUR ON COORDINATION AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER SECTORS Within the general framework of cooperation and coordination within the ITU, as well as between the ITU and other organizations, a number of issues will need to be addressed at future meetings of the Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG). Several issues, such as the coordination between the RAG and TSAG, are ongoing in nature; one issue which requires immediate consideration, however, relates to the impact of the implementation of the Buenos Aires Action Plan (BAAP) on the ITU-R in the context of both the decisions of the World Telecommunication Development Conference and the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference. Possible future actions associated with each issue are outlined below. Impact of the implementation of the BAAP on ITU-R The Buenos Aires Action Plan for the Global Development of Telecommunications was adopted by the first World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-94) and examined by the Council in June 1994 and by the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference. The Action Plan defines the work programme for the BDT for the period 1994- 1998. The WTDC, as elaborated in Resolution No. 2, decided to establish two Study Groups to enable the ITU and its Members to study, at the global level, issues relating to the institutional, technical, commercial, regulatory and economic evolution of the Sector. The mandate of Study Group 1 deals with telecommunication development strategies and policies; Study Group 2 deals with development, harmonization, management and maintenance of telecommunication networks and services, including spectrum management. Although it would appear that the work of Study Group 2 will impact more directly on the activities of ITU-R, joint studies are envisaged in relation to regulation and tariff matters as well as to the development of new services. With respect to the specific Questions to be addressed by Study Group 2, Question 1/2 relates to the special concerns of developing countries in relation to the work of the Radiocommunication and Telecommunication Standardization Sectors. Among the activities to be undertaken by the Study Group pursuant to Question 1/2 is the following: "after consideration of the work being done under ITU-R Resolution 11 and in coordination with ITU-R Study Group 1, ITU-D Study Group 2 would, if necessary, adapt spectrum management models to the needs of developing countries, taking account of their human resource, technological and financial requirements, with particular emphasis on the use of automated systems". This activity is tied directly to Programme No. 6 of the BAAP: Frequency Management. While there is a clear instruction to Study Group 2 that the work programme and subsequent activities should be conducted in close collaboration with ITU-R (taking into account ITU-R Resolution 16) with a view to avoiding duplication of effort and minimizing costs, there are certain fundamental issues which require clarification in relation to the methods of cooperation between the Sectors. The responsibility of ITU-R Study Group 1 in providing assistance to developing countries in spectrum management in cooperation with the BDT was confirmed by the Radiocommunication Assembly held in November 1993, as outlined in ITU-R Resolution 4. In relation to the development of the characteristics for the Basic Automated Spectrum Management System (BASMS), the respective responsibilities of ITU-R and ITU-D need to be clearly specified in order to avoid confusion and possible overlap. Action: The RAG may wish to review any formal or informal mechanisms which have been established between ITU-R Study Group 1 and the BDT to examine BASMS implementation with a view to establishing their efficacy and effectiveness. Other Questions which fall within the mandate of ITU-D Study Group 2, and which may be related to work being undertaken in ITU- R, include the following: Question 2/2: Preparation of Handbooks for developing countries; Question 3/2: Planning, management operation, and maintenance of telecommunication networks; Question 4/2: Communications for rural and remote areas; Question 6/2: Impact of telecommunications in health-care and other social services; and Question 7/2: Telecommunication support for the protection of the environment. Taking into account Questions associated with ITU-D Study Group 1, the following should be considered: Question 3/1: Impact of the introduction and utilization of new technologies on the commercial and regulatory environment of telecommunications; and Question 5/1: Industrialization and transfer of technology. In addition to the objective specified in relation to BAAP Programme No. 6, the objectives outlined in association with Programme No. 4 (Development of Maritime Radiocommunication Services); Programme No. 8 (Mobile Cellular Radio Telephone Systems); Programme No. 9 (Integrated Rural Development) and Programme No. 10 (Broadcasting Infrastructure) should be taken into account. Action: In the development of well-defined liaison arrangements between ITU-R and ITU-D in the implementation of the BAAP, the terms of reference and objectives of the Questions and Programmes, as outlined above, will need to be closely examined. The first meetings of ITU-D Study Groups 1 and 2 are scheduled to be held in March and May 1995 respectively. Action: Consideration needs to be given to the extent to which expertise is required from ITU-R to follow the ITU-D Study Group discussions and to provide information and advice as appropriate. Coordination of activities of TDAB, TSAG and RAG In compliance with Resolution COM4/26 of the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference, and the provisions of Resolution 3 of the Final Acts of the Additional Plenipotentiary Conference, the need for measures to be recommended, inter alia, to foster cooperation and coordination with the Telecommunication Development Sector and within and between the Radiocommunication and the Telecommunication Standardization Sectors was identified. Unlike the RAG and TSAG with open membership, the Telecommunication Development Advisory Board (TDAB), according to the provisions of No. 227 of Article 18 of the ITU Convention (Geneva, 1992), consists of members appointed by the Director of the BDT in consultation with the Secretary-General. Discussion in Kyoto on the composition and functions of TDAB centred on the possibility of opening the membership to additional entrants representing administrations and entities including representatives of bilateral cooperation or development aid agencies and multilateral development institutions, in order to reflect the new tasks allocated to the TDAB following the implementation of the BAAP. While consideration was given in Kyoto to adjusting the functions of TDAB in a manner resembling those of the RAG and TSAG, in the final analysis it was agreed to leave the matter of changing the role and purposes of the Board to the discretion of the Director. Furthermore, the BDT Director will form a Steering Committee which includes the chairs and vice-chairs of the ITU-D Study Groups to develop, inter alia, strategies to foster inter- Sector cooperation and collaboration. Action: In its advice to the BR Director, the RAG could suggest that the determination of the most appropriate mechanisms for the coordination and cooperation among the three Sectors be focused in the Coordination Committee. One option for consideration is the scheduling of joint meetings of the Chairmen of the Sector advisory bodies - such an arrangement could possibly be extended to include Vice- Chairmen and Rapporteurs. Joint meeting with TSAG In conjunction with the meetings of RAG and TSAG, a joint meeting is envisaged to review matters relating to ongoing coordination in conformity with Resolution 2 of the APP (Geneva, 1992). According to Resolution COM4/9 of the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference, it was agreed that the current process providing for the ongoing review of new and existing work and its allocation to ITU-R and ITU-T shall be maintained. Moreover, the BR and TSB Directors, with the assistance of the RAG and TSAG, are asked to consider further elements for refining the ITU's structure, including any necessary amendments to the Constitution and Convention, and prepare a preliminary report to the 1996 session of Council and a final report to Council in 1998. Pursuant to Kyoto Resolution COM4/3 relating to the review of the rights and obligations of all members of the Sectors of the Union, the Secretary-General has been instructed to establish a Review Committee to analyse the current situation while ensuring, inter alia, that there are appropriate inputs from the advisory groups of the three Sectors. Moreover, the Directors of the Bureaux have been instructed to initiate a review of the procedures and processes of their Sectors, as set out in the appropriate resolutions, with a view to enhancing the participation of members within their Sectors. Issues of common concern also relate to the priorities and objectives of the ITU-R and ITU-T Sectors, as outlined in the Strategic Plan 1995-1999. Action: Future joint meetings of RAG and TSAG should include a report from the chairs of the advisory groups on any actions contemplated pursuant to Resolution COM4/9. It will be necessary for the joint meeting to discuss the role of members in the activities of the Union with a view toward ensuring the establishment of a complementary approach to the issue, particularly with regard to the work of the study groups and the World Telecommunication Standardization Conference/Radiocommunication Assembly. Issues for joint consideration pursuant to the Strategic Plan include the promotion of the development of the Global Information Infrastructure. Other issues Relations with other international organizations With reference to the Strategic Plan for the Union, 1995-1999, as reflected in Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference Resolution COM4/1, reference is made to the emergence of global telecommunication operators and the GATT agreement on a global framework for regulating trade in telecommunication goods and services, which strongly indicate that reviewing and updating the ITU's role in the regulation of international telecommunications should be a strategic priority. In particular, it is noted that the interplay between the activities of the ITU and the WTO on telecommunication matters will have to be considered, leading to possible adjustments in jurisdiction or procedures. It is also stated that the Union should establish immediately effective liaison with the WTO to identify issues at an early stage and avoid duplication or inconsistent activities. More generally, to maintain ITU's claim to global technical pre-eminence in matters relating to telecommunications, the Union should continue to keep pace with developments in the areas of telecommunication policy, law, regulation and trade. As a priority issue, the Strategic Plan also identifies the need to establish strategic alliances, not only with the new WTO, but also on the international level with the OECD, the World Bank, UNESCO, etc. Action: Consideration should be given in the RAG developing guidelines from a radiocommunication perspective to the establishment of strategic linkages between the ITU and other international organizations with a view to ensuring that key issues are addressed in a consistent, non-duplicative manner. Relations with regional telecommunication organizations Pursuant to Resolution COM4/8 of the Final Acts of the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference, the need for the ITU to develop stronger relations with regional telecommunication organizations was specifically recognized. Action: Possible strategies to forge closer relationships with regional telecommunication organizations in the context of ITU-R activities should be considered. Bruce A. GRACIE Rapporteur Tel.: 613-990-4254 Fax.: 613-998-4530 *****