Great expectations

The whole day was dedicated to policy statements mainly from ministers and senior officials from the telecommunication and information technologies (ICT) sector. They spoke on ICT developments and challenges in their countries and what they expected of ITU at the global level. Every speaker underlined how the international telecommunication environment faced unprecedented changes, marked mainly by the deployment of new technologies and services. Aware that more than half of the world’s population was still struggling to get access to basic voice telephony, they all urged the conference to come up with appropriate policies to bridge the divide in global telecommunications.

Elections are also uppermost in people’s minds, and a number of speakers looked forward to the conference electing a strong leadership for ITU to respond fully to the ever-growing needs of its members.

For the Islamic Republic of Iran, the conference was taking place under very trying circumstances. One was the digital divide that “should be bridged through a cooperative and assistive international approach,” said that country’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology. “Words and commitments should turn into action by putting ICT in the service of development and peace and security,” the minister underlined, adding that ITU enjoyed a central role in fostering such cooperation. He commented that to cope in the new environment “ITU should respond by reviewing its strategies and working methods.” The crucial role considered for ITU in the follow-up of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) required the conference to equip ITU with the resources to fulfil this important undertaking.
 

A sound roadmap is needed

Bulgaria expects the conference to deliver a sound roadmap for the development of global telecommunications in the next four years. Information technology and telecommunication development have been among the highest priorities of Bulgaria’s government. A decree of the present government paved the way for the establishment of the State Agency for Information Technology and Communications as the governmental policy-maker in these fields. Participation in ITU’s activities is among the main tasks of this Agency.
“I am sure that the conference will elect to its bodies the countries and persons needed for the competent management of ITU and the successful achievement of its goals, to the benefit of all countries,” stated Bulgaria’s Minister and Chairman of the State Agency for Information Technology and Communications. Bulgaria has been chosen to host the ITU TELECOM EUROPE in December 2007 in Sofia. The minister said that on the eve of the country’s accession to the European Union, “the Bulgarian Government had re-affirmed the high significance it attaches to the ITU mission and activities”. 
 

Opening up ITU to civil society: a needed move

For Singapore, the conference would need to explore how ICT can be better deployed to bring the fruits of an information society to all. At WSIS, the global community showed a firm resolve to ensure that ICT improve and benefit humanity. “This theme must become the driving force behind ITU’s new leadership and policies,” said Singapore’s Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts. He stressed that in the information society, “all governments must engage their people, public and private sectors to put in place the hard and soft infrastructure, as well as to equip citizens with the skills to fully utilize ICT”. He added that the conference was an important forum to address these issues.

Civil society organizations and the ICT business sector bring with them valuable experience from the industry and user community, Singapore’s Minister also commented. “Their participation in the work of ITU will provide a more varied and multi-stakeholder debate which reflects the realities of the ICT market and the information society,” he underlined. He added that as the global development of the information society puts a strain on the resources of ITU to respond speedily to new challenges and opportunities, “it was timely for PP-06 to study ways of engaging civil society and the ICT business sector to share this burden”.

Malaysia joined the chorus of countries appreciating the success of WSIS and outlining the challenges in implementing its outcomes. The delegate stated that ITU needs to adapt to the post-WSIS institutional landscape and work cohesively with other players. “In order to attract new players in the multi-stakeholders environment, it is necessary that certain changes to the instrument of ITU are carried out accordingly,” he said. “There are still a number of pressing issues facing the developing countries in accelerating the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, many of which relate to access to ICT for further development. Although we live in a time of sophisticated technologies, there are still many nations unable to take advantage of these development tools, thus the ‘Digital Divide’.” The Minister added, “The digital divide is the new poverty of our era, and therefore a critical concern that must be addressed by ITU through global cooperation.”
 

Meeting the challenges of change

In Botswana, the Government created the Ministry of Communications Science and Technology in 2002, primarily to transform the country into an information and knowledge-based economy.

Botswana had also made inroads in the ICT landscape with fixed line subscribers numbering 134 375 (or 7.7 per cent teledensity) whilst mobile subscribers reached 945 288 (or 54.24 per cent teledensity) as at August 2006 for a population of approximately 1.8 million. The government was concluding a study on universal service and access with a view to taking communication services to the rural areas by introducing a new class of licence for rural underserved districts.

Addressing delegates, Lebanon said that the damage caused to the telecommunication infrastructure in recent months (radio and television stations, fibre optics etc.) was estimated to be over USD 100 million, and the loss of revenue was around USD 6 million.

He said that telecommunication reforms had been delayed, but were now back on track.The establishment of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) as the national independent regulator was expected to be finalized by June 2007. The next step would be the establishment of the national incumbent operator, Liban Telecom, expected to be completed by November 2007.

The Lebanese Government also intends to proceed with the sale process of two mobile licences in February 2007 to facilitate the introduction of mobile broadband access by the implementing of IMT-2000 (3G/UMTS) systems. Another planned reform is the privatization of up to 40 per cent of Liban Telecom to a private investor. Awaiting the establishment of Liban Telecom, the government has already initiated the partial unbundling of the local loop in view of granting shared access to private data operators. This step is considered a keystone in the liberalization of the country’s fixed broadband data services.

Bhutan has enacted a converged Information, Communications, and Media Act to pave the way for the information society. “We have opened up the ICT and media sector to the private operators, licenced two private newspapers, abolished the exclusive privilege enjoyed by Bhutan Telecom, expanded national television coverage nationwide, and licenced a second FM radio operator,” stated Bhutan’s Minister of Information and Communications. He added that they were in the process of licensing a second mobile telecommunication operator to encourage competition and further liberalize the market. A national Broadband Master Plan was also being developed to ease the transition to next-generation networks. Community Information Centres were being launched across the country to empower communities.

For the Philippines, the issues that are predominant on ITU’s technical and policy agenda include: universal service and access, digital divide, telecommunication standards, internet governance, cybercrime prevention, and emerging technologies such as NGN and IPv6. As information and knowledge becomes a benchmark for a country’s wealth and progress in the digital economy, the Philippines aspires to ensure that everyone enjoys the opportunities from ICT, and that its people have the confidence and security in the use of ICT. It is with this aspiration that the government is speeding up the building of telecommunication network infrastructure through public-private sector partnership. A wider public access to a minimum set of communications and information services is also to be ensured through the establishment of telecentres and the provision of broadband services, said the Chairman of the Philippines Commission on Information and Communications Technology.

India has one of the five largest telephone networks in the world, with more than 170 million telephones. “It is also making rapid strides to provide telephone connectivity in every nook and corner of our vast country,”according to the Secretary to the Government of India and Chairman of the Telecom Commission. The telecommunication sector has received national recognition as the key driver for development and growth. “Presently, we are adding more than 6 million telephone connections per month, which is the largest growth in the world,” the Indian delegate added.

India has a mechanism for fulfilling Universal Service Obligation whereby all the operators contribute towards providing universal access to telecommunication services. India has been steadily making progress in space technology and its applications.

In Cambodia, like elselwhere, mobile telephony had grown rapidly to reach the milestone of over twenty times the number of fixed phone subscribers. The country had benefited from the activities of ITU, and was now directing its efforts towards building the infrastructure and reforming its telecommunication sector, according to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.

In the Syrian Arab Republic, half a million people had access to the internet. More than 5000 schools were also connected to the internet, some of them through broadband connections (ADSL). Progress had also been made in rural communications, according to the country’s Minister of Telecommunication and Technology.

Brazil’s Minister of Communications pointed to the country’s huge surge in mobile telephony and the uptake of broadband. Brazil now had 150 million mobile subscribers and 40 million fixed lines. A new target was to provide broadband access to more than 5000 cities across Brazil.

For Azerbaijan, challenges included satellite licensing, where it required ITU’s assistance. The Minister of Communications and Information Technologies also underlined that ITU must bridge the digital divide in collaboration with other institutions.

The Moroccan delegate said that in the four years since the previous Plenipotentiary Conference in 2002, which was hosted in Marrakesh by Morocco, the world had undergone great change in the realm of ICT. The WSIS process, which was led by ITU, has indicated the importance of building ICT infrastructure and stepping up the fight against cybercrime.

Palestine recounted the hardships it faced and asked for assistance to improve the situation. The delegate said that after 15 November 2006, a process of liberalization would be initiated.

Romania stated its commitment to the objective of affirming ITU as the leading telecommunication organization in the world and to improve its performance in adapting to the needs of a rapidly changing ICT environment.

In order to create a “people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society”, as stated in Geneva Declaration of Principles, “the key words for the Plenipotentiary Conference should be: technological security and trust for ensuring confidentiality, certainty and accurate information,” said the Romanian delegate.
 

Thinking outside the box

Senegal’s Minister called on the conference to think outside the box. He said that firm actions were needed to bridge the gap and called for the development of “dedicated software, particularly for Africa, where he stressed the gap was still huge. Referring to WSIS results, he suggested that perhaps it was time to change the ITU name to reflect the new realities.

Ghana’s Minister of Communications underlined that the conference was a unique opportunity to renew ITU within the Pricinciples of the Geneva Declaration and Plan of Action, the Tunis Commitment and the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society. He called on the conference to work towards building a stronger ITU, one that is well-equipped and well resourced to do the job for which it was established. In particular, he stressed the need to deal effectively with the rural-urban dichotomy and the “crying needs” of the developing countries.

The German delegate recounted that the history of ITU indicates that it can adapt to change. It is now necessary to attract private sector investment. ITU can no longer shoulder the burden alone and will need to share it with others. Germany believes that the World Bank, other funding banks and the private sector could pitch in. The delegate said that a stable regulatory framework is needed. We can share knowledge and best practices to establish legal frameworks. We can learn from each other and help growth in the telecommunications sector. He added, “We have the expertise in ITU and we can use it in the world.”
 

Strong support for ITU

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia asserted that ITU must remain the pre-eminent international focal point for matters relating to a rapidly changing ICT environment and it must regularly review and update its structure, activities and processes to ensure that they are effective and efficient. He said, “ITU Member States, especially developing countries, should be given all possible assistance to draw maximum benefits from the technical and regulatory changes in telecommunication and information technology in order to minimize the differences between them and the developed countries in these fields.”

Egypt echoed the sentiment of others that WSIS marked a decisive turning point for ITU, which has been designated the leading intergovernmental organization along with UNESCO and UNDP in the follow-up and implementation of the outcomes. The delegate recounted Egypt’s involvement as a founding member of the Connect the World initiative and as host country for Africa TELECOM 2004 and said that it would continue to support the Union in its mission.

Saudi Arabia said that the world recognizes that telecommunication and ICT are among “the means for progress and growth of nations by stimulating their economic, social and cultural potential and by bringing their people closer.” Decrying the fact that despite all efforts, the gap between developed and developing countries remained, the Minister stressed that it was important to establish a balance to achieve universal access. Saudi Arabia has been striving to create a suitable enabling environment, and has issued a second licence for mobile services (GSM), two licences for mobile services (3G) and several licences for data and internet services.

Ethiopia stated that it would like to see a strong ITU which continues to play a key role in transforming its society to a knowledge-based economy. The Minister of Communications said that telecommunication and ICT are seen as a strategic and enabling tool for economic growth. He said, “Effective utilization of ICT infrastructure and services require strong cooperation and partnership between neighbouring countries and at regional and global levels. Establishment and sustainable availability of affordable high-speed network interconnection and regional internet exchange points were among the priority issues to be addressed.” The Minister added that initiatives recommended by WTDC 2006 in the Doha Action Plan should be made a reality. 
 

Developing countries increase their contribution

Burkina Faso announced that it had doubled its class of contribution from 1/8 to 1/4. This reaffirmed its determination to support ITU, said the Minister for Communication, who added that ITU must have the means to fulfil its mission. An adequate budget is required, he said, to meet the requirements of bridging the digital divide and reducing poverty.

The United Arab Emirates announced that it will increase its class of contribution by three times, in recognition of ITU’s important role and in support of ITU’s strategic plan to narrow the digital divide between nations.

The Minister for Development made the case for a pro-business economic environment and heavy investment in the telecommunication/ICT industry. “Our growth and continued success is heavily dependent on embracing the global community,” he said. “UAE has undertaken the first steps towards liberalizing its telecommunication market through the introduction of competition, which is supported by a best practice regulatory framework.”
 

Achieving development goals

Kuwait pressed for harnessing the potential of ICT to achieve better quality of life, sustainable development and “enrichment in the 21st century.” The Minister for Development said that developing ICT capacity for all, especially youth and women was imperative. In achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), it would be critically important for Kuwait to focus on e-government and e-learning, especially for those with special needs, and to promote e-medicine. She said that the submarine Falcon network would go a long way towards improving communications and achieving peace and development.

Chad stated that the consensus at WSIS provided a sense of solidarity among developing countries. The Minister said that PP-06 should create a framework of development based on the Doha Action Plan.
In the light of the outcomes of WSIS, Congo stated that steps should be taken to carry out the mission of implementation despite the severe budgetary austerity. “We have to be creative,” said the Minister. He called upon the world to bridge the digital divide to encompass the needs of developing countries.

“We are trying our best to perform a ‘balancing act’ of fulfilling ever-increasing demand for high-tech services from urban population while serving the vast majority of the rural population covering the remotest parts of the country,” said the delegate of Nepal. “Presently, we have achieved teledensity of 6 per cent, half of which is mobile, for a population of 26 million.” Countries like Nepal need technical assistance “to lessen the complexities created by fast-paced technological innovations, accompanied by drastic changes in pricing structures and above all by the need to adopt appropriate business strategies to consider future trends like next-generation networks.” The Nepalese delegate felt that ITU should take more initiative in providing technical advice to developing countries in order to enable them to cope with rapidly evolving innovations and developments in the ICT sector.
 

At the crossroads

The Minister of Telecommunications of Iceland harked back to the historical place of Turkey as one of the major crossroads of the world. He said ITU too was at a crossroads in its long and impressive history. “What we do here now will determine the future course and potential success of this unique institution,” he said. “The challenges are great but together we can meet these challenges and turn them into unprecedented opportunities. We are here for no less a task than to ensure the ITU's success long into the future.”

In order for the Union to remain the leading telecommunications organization in the world, the Minister felt “ITU has to improve its performance in adapting to the needs of a rapidly changing telecommunications world. It will have to become more effective, more efficient and more market-oriented. ITU will have to deliver its products timely, at reasonable costs and on the basis of a transparent decision-making process.”

Mexico offers to host the 2010 Plenipotentiary Conference

Mexico announced its offer to host the next Plenipotentiary Conference in 2010. Making this announcement, the Subsecretario de Comunicaciones, said that the offer was made in recognition of the importance and the significance of ITU as a strategic forum for progress and modernization in world telecommunications.
 

Chairmanship and vice-chairmanship now complete

The remaining positions for which the chairman and vice-chairmen could not be finalized yesterday, were announced today and endorsed by the Plenary. The complete list is found below.

Chairman of the Conference
Dr. T. ÇATALTEPE (Turkey)

Vice-Chairmen of the Conference
Amb. D. GROSS (United States)
Mr. H. CHONO (Japan)
Mr. M.J. MULLA (Saudi Arabia)
H.E. Mr. P. MVOUO (Congo)
H.E. Mr. L. REIMAN (Russian Federation)
Mr. K. SMAALAND (Norway)