Standards: their applicability to developing countries

1. ITU-T FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WTSA-08 DECISIONSAND WORKSHOP ON BRIDGING THE STANDARDIZATION GAP(Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009) Standards: their applicability to developing countries Saneh Saiwong, Acting Director, Telecom Standards, NTC, Thailand

2. Resolution 76 (WTSA-08) Standardization Conformance Interoperability

3. “WHAT” Operators Regulators Manufacturers Users/Consumers OTHERS

4. “WHY” applicability is the problem? Regional SDOs National SDOs Other SDOs Regulators Operators Manufacturers Too many aspects & entities

5. Applicability of standards Interoperability purpose Regulatory purpose (conformance) others… interface protocols performance interoperability QoS/QoE EMC safety spectrum

6. Applicability in developing countries Country’s Requirements ITU-T’s Focus

7. ITU-T Recommendations • Many are drafted as ‘guidelines’, not specifications • Give emphasis on interoperability / protocols / interface / QoS • May not be suitable for conformity assessment (TSB estimate – 5%) • Direct applicability – industry • Less applicable to regulators

8. ITU-T Recommendations • BUT: Many regulators nowadays adopt ‘technology neutral’ or even ‘service neutral’ approach. • Less intervention on technology of choice • Leave it to operators to decide • How to ensure interoperability between networks / systems or to guarantee quality of service? • ITU-T should have the ANSWER!!!

9. Then.. • Which areas do ITU need to focus? • Noting that • Collaboration already exist between ITU and a lot of SDOs • Duplication should be avoided • One organization cannot do it all • AND REMEMBER… • Developing countries look for ITU first!!!

10. Suggestion on “HOW” • To increase use of ITU-T Rec. • Expertise on interoperability & QoS need to be maintained and strengthened • Interoperability testing events? • Rec. with regulatory implications • SG3 - very relevant to developing countries • Should focus more on specifications? • Performance / technical characteristics • Limits • Methods to show conformance

11. ITU Mark Programme • Beneficial for developing countries • Acceptance depends on several criteria • Suggest to have Pilot Project on selected topics/areas (cannot be all at once) in order to: • gauge the mood of industry • assess acceptance of stakeholders • examine implementation details

12. Facilities • Testing facilities need to be networked and collaborated, due to • Vast areas of conformance activities exist • High set-up cost, operational and maintenance expense • Lack of skilled personnel • Can be networked on a domestic or regional scale

13. Mutual Recognition Arrangement • Help developing countries in some aspects: • In case of no or limited capability in conformity assessment • Give mechanism of assurance through rigid recognition scheme • ASEAN/APEC • MRA on conformity assessment results • MRA on technical equivalence or standard equivalence

14. Capacity Building & Collaboration Seminar/workshop to share information in new or emerging standardization areas Rotating among different regions May be in collaboration with other SDOs Training for personnel Upgrading skills or exchange of skilled staff ITU can facilitate, but needs to have long-term strategy Promote regional grouping to increase awareness and bring together common views

15. ITU-T FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WTSA-08 DECISIONSAND WORKSHOP ON BRIDGING THE STANDARDIZATION GAP(Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009) Thank you saneh@ntc.or.th