WTD 2000 - Circular Letter to Sector Members

International Telecommunication Union

General Secretariat

Ref:	CCU/MD/1132	Geneva, 23 March 2000
Contact:	M. Placci	TO ITU SECTOR MEMBERS
Tel:	+41 22 730 5231/6303
Fax:	+41 22 730 5939/ +41 22 733 7256
Email:	pressinfo@itu.int
Subject:	World Telecommunication Day 2000

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to draw your attention to World Telecommunication Day, celebrated by the Union every year on the 17^th May, to commemorate the day of its founding in Paris, back in 1865.

The theme chosen for World Telecommunication Day 2000 is "Mobile Communications".

Resolution 68 of the Minneapolis Plenipotentiary Conference invites Members to celebrate the day annually by organizing appropriate national programmes with a view to:

– stimulating reflection and exchange of ideas on the theme;

– debating the various aspects of the theme with all partners in society;

– formulating a report reflecting national discussions on the issues underlying the theme.

With this in mind, the ITU Council adopted this year’s theme to highlight the challenges and opportunities of mobile communication, and in particular cellular mobile, in a global information society.

In the context of national discussions some areas that may be covered include:

How can wireless communications improve access in rural and underserved areas in light of the ease at which wireless networks can be deployed?

How can wireless networks be deployed without affecting the long-term expansion of the fixed networks when the subscriber base is small?

How can the profitability of mobile cellular services be used to improve wireline development targets?

What tariffs are best to ensure the viability of the operator while reaching the average citizen in most developing countries?

In densely populated areas, how can spectrum management issues be faced as a result of their widespread use?

Will the upcoming availability of third generation mobile systems that will provide broadband services including e-commerce, create better opportunities for developing countries to join the digital economy?

What strategies will be best to take advantage of the third generation of mobile systems when second generation networks have barely been deployed?

What about the possible health hazards of mobile phone handsets, the environmental nuisance of antennas or the use and misuse of mobile phones?

As a Sector Member, you are therefore invited to contact the national telecommunication administration of your country with a view to join forces in promoting a general debate on the theme. In the meantime, I have pleasure in enclosing a message on this year’s theme.

Yours faithfully,

Yoshio UTSUMI
Secretary-General

Annex:

World Telecommunication Day Message