APT Programmes and ICT Initiatives in the Asia-Pacific Region

1. APT Programmes and ICT Initiatives in the Asia-Pacific Region Regional Forum of ICT Experts in South East Asia: Meeting the Challenges in Digital Gaps Approaching e-Government 4-5 February 2004, Jakarta, Indonesia AMARENDRA NARAYAN Executive Director Asia-Pacific Telecommunity

2. SILVER JUBILEE APT IS IN TWENTYFIFTH YEAR OF ITS SERVICE TO THE REGION

3. What’s Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) • Inter-Governmental Organization • Objective : To foster the development of telecommunication services and information infrastructure in the region with a particular focus on the expansion thereof in less developed areas. • Establishment : 1979 • Secretariat : Bangkok, Thailand

5. MEMBERSHIP North Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean South Pacific Ocean

6. MEMBERSHIP IN THE APT IS OPEN TO ANY STATE WITHIN THE REGION WHICH IS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP) ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP IN THE APT IS OPEN TO ANY TERRITORY, PART OR GROUP OF TERRITORIES WITHIN THE REGION WHICH IS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE ESCAP AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE APT IS OPEN TO ANY ENTERPRISE, AGENCY, INSTITUTE, ORGANISATION, ASSOCIATION OR OTHER UNDERTAKING, ENTITY OR PARTICIPANT, WHETHER PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT OWNED, COMMERCIAL OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT, ACTIVE IN TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES OR INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE WITH A SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE IN, AND COMMITMENT TO THE REGION, WHICH IS PREPARED TO PARTICIPATE IN, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORK AND ACTIVITIES OF THE TELECOMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP

7. MEMBERS 32 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS4 AFFILIATE MEMBERS 96 MEMBERSHIP

8. KEY AREAS OF APT ACTIVITIES • Policy and Regulation • Bridging the digital divide • Infrastructure development • ICT applications and establishment of the • Information Society • Technology development in the Standardization and • Radiocommunications Sectors • HRD, Capacity building and technology transfer • Telecom operations, services and business issues • User interests • Information sharing • Intra regional and inter regional cooperation

9. APT is the leading REGIONAL telecommunication entity for the Asia-Pacific region. APT is a “TELECOMMUNITY” in real sense. It provides a common platform for Governments, Regulators, Service Providers, ISPs, Manufacturers, R&D Institutions and others for discussing various issues concerning telecommunications and ICT APT offers a unique platform to harmonize the regional views for concerted action in the region and also for projecting them in international fora. APT’s role and activities cover all major aspects of telecommunications APT provides a unique and effective platform for networking, information sharing, business consultation and development partnership and other Regional Coordination

10. HRD (Human Resource Development) Training courses Study Visits Study Groups Expert Missions HRD-ICT Programme for Researcher and Engineers Exchange Sustainable Technologies Transfer and Human Resource Development

11. APT Yearly Training Programs and Study Visits Participants Number of Trainees on APT-sponsored Training and Study Visit Courses (1980-2002) * Bar-graph represents actual trainees during the year indicated Development of Human Resources is one of the major APT activities. It brings direct benefits to the members of APT. It also provides a level playing field to all players in order to advanced the telecommunications services and ICT infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity.

12. APT Study Groups conducts studies on telecommunications issues of concern to APT membership, e.g., Policy & Regulation, Internet, Multimedia, etc. Relevant studies completed from previous period (1997 –2003) sent to ITU-D 26 Study Questions under four Study Groups are being studied for the Study Period 2003 – 2005(http://www.aptsec.org/studygroup/) Study Group 1: Networks Study Group 2: User Issues Study Group 3: Applications and Services Study Group 4: Broadband Issues Studies to be completed with practical output and in a shorter timeframe APT Study Groups

13. ASTAP (APT Standardization Program ) • Launched in February 1998 to establish regional cooperation on standardization, harmonizing standardization activities in the region, and to increase the level of expertise on standardization among membership • ASTAP Structure • Chairman • Two Vice-Chairmen • Rapporteurs/Co-Rapporteurs ofExpert Groups • Number of Experts Group: 12 • Number of other groups: 4

14. SOME APT EVENTS FOR 2004

15. SOME APT EVENTS FOR 2004 (cont..)

16. Other Programs WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, SYMPOSIUMS, FORUMS, MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES ARISING OUT OF THE MAIN PROGRAMS AND PROPOSED BY MEMBERS

17. Asian Regional Conference World Summit on the Information Society When: 13-15 January 2003 Where: Tokyo, Japan

18. APT Asia-Pacific Summit on the Information Society When: October 30 - November 2, 2000 Where: Tokyo, Japan

19. APT Asia-Pacific Summit on the Information Society • The Asia Pacific Summit on Information Society was organised by the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) from October 31- November 2, 2000 in Tokyo.The summit which was hosted by MPT Japan was attended by 249 participants including: • 30 Ministers • High level government officials, • Presidents, CEOs and other top business executives • Secretary General ITU, Executive Secretary UNESCAP, Representative of Secretary General UN and other distinguished participants from rivate sector, academia, media and other organisations.

20. TOKYODECLARATION • It addresses the following key aspects: • Forming a shared vision • Bridging the digital divide • Developing Information & communication infrastructure • Essential applications of the Information society • HRD & enhancement of ICT literacy

21. APT Asia-Pacific Summit on the Information Society “We ministers declare,that we will do our best, in both domestic efforts and through international cooperation, to enable people in the Asia Pacific region to have access to the internet by the year 2005 to the extent possible, including access from public facilities such as schools and post offices”.

22. SUMMIT ACTION PLAN Forming a Shared Vision Bridging the Digital Divide Improving Information & Communication Infrastructure HRD and Enhancement of ICT Literacy Regional and Global Co-operation

23. ICT Related APT Programmes and Activities

24. ICT Initiatives by APT • Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure (AII) • Asia-Pacific Summit on the Information Society (AIIS • Improving Information & Communication Infrastructure • HRD and Enhancement of ICT Capacity • Regional and Global ICT Co-operation • ICT Policy & Regulatory Frameworks • Development of ICT Access • Information Sharing • ICT Compendium

25. Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure (AII) Programmes First Meeting - Tokyo 1995 Second Meeting - Chiangmai 1996 Third Meeting - Bangkok 1997 Fourth Meeting- Kansai 1998 Fifth Meeting – Tokyo 1999 Sixth Meeting – Bangkok 2000 The AII activities cover: Policy and Regulatory Aspects Planning and Implementation of Networks for AII Development and Implementation of Applications Standardization Issues HRD and Technology Transfer Areas of Activities FieldActivity Events conducted of AII - High Level Meeting, Seminars, Study Groups, Country Reports Standardization, Connectivity and Interoperability - Collection, dissemination, and exchange of information, pilot projects - Study Groups Activity - Expert Mission

26. Human Resources Development - Long-term HRD plan for implementation of AII - Skill development programs on high-tech area for the benefit of the developing countries Technology Transfer - Promoting regional co-operation in transfer of telecommunication technology - Information dissemination - Exposure to more opportunities on trade in telecommunication services Frameworks - Networks Development - Applications Development and Promotion - Contents of Information Promotion - Information Security - Technology Development and Standardization - HRD

27. AII Pilot Projects Examples: - Interactive Medical Curriculum Pilot Project (Australia) - Pilot Project on Distance Learning and Remote Library Access (India) - Pilot Project on Distance Training (Japan) - The Study of Experimental Development of Community Communications Centers in Rural Areas of Thailand (Thailand)

28. Country : Australia Objective : - Accelerated the deployment of multimedia and on-line services in health, - Facilitate the development and promotion of borderless applications through collaboration by experts from different APT members etc. Activity : The 3 collaborative workshops were held at 3 monthly intervals. Participants discuss the effective medical curriculum utilizing telecom infrastructure and involvement of private sectors. Highlights of Some Selected AII Pilot Projects Interactive Medical Curriculum Pilot Project

29. Country : India Objective : Demonstration of multimedia applications (distance learning and remote library access) utilizing the existing information infrastructure (ISDN) and Packet Switched Public Data Network (PSPDN) Network : PSPDN at128 kbps speed and ISDN links at 384 kbps speed Applications : Video-conference, Interactive lecture, Remote access to the library Highlights of Some Selected AII Pilot Projects Distance Learning and Remote Library Access

30. Country : Japan Objective : Evaluation of the utilization experiments with Internet distance training materials developed in Japan Network : Internet Activity : Trainees connect the server in Japan for the project through the Internet to participate the distance training. Japan evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of distance training through the Internet on the basis of the input from them. Highlights of Some Selected AII Pilot Projects Pilot Project on Distance Training

31. Country : Thailand Objective : Carried out the feasibility study of Internet and other communications services over the TDMA network in order to establish the community center for rural development Network : Telephone line between cities VHF radio communications, TDMA or Satellite between a city and a village Activity : Pilot project implemented at three sites Highlights of Some Selected AII Pilot Projects The Study of experimental Development of Community Communications Centers in Rural Areas of Thailand

32. Country : Maldives Objective :Evaluated the concept of such a centre in providing many of the conventional services such as health, education, public administration and trading through the information and communication facilities. Network : Establishment of a MCT in a selected island, with the necessary applications for tele-medicine, tele-education, tele-administration and tele-trading. The experienced gained enabled them establish similar facilities in other inhabited islands. Application :The MCT is intended to provide, tele-medicine, tele- education, tele-administration and tele-trading to the people in the outer atolls. Highlights of Some Selected AII Pilot Projects Community Telecentre Pilot Projects

33. AIIS Programmes (Asia-Pacific Initiatives for the Information Society) The APT Asia-Pacific Initiatives for the Information Society (A I I S) Program focus on assisting members in bridging of the divide. In the rapid pace of technology, fast changing telecommunications scenario and tremendous growth of ICT sector, AIIS promoted significantly the effectively solutions in the development of the ICT infrastructure of the of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity. Activities • AIIS Meetings - Bangalore, India 21 –25 July 2003 - Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 5 – 9 August 2002 - Chiangmai, Thailand16 -19 October 2001 • Technical Assistance on AIIS Projects, ICT-HRD Capacity Building, Trainings and Study Visits • ICT Compendium and other publications

34. Regional Interagency Working Group on ICT (IWG) Initiated by APT, ESCAP and ITU

35. List of Partners Federation of Regional Associations Pacific Islands Telecom Assc. (PITA)

36. Where: Chiang Rai, Thailand Results: 1. The possibility of the establishment of an A-P Institute of Information Technology for Poverty Reduction (APIITPR) 2. Enhancement of the use ICT for poverty reduction that encompass the support at all levels. 3. Promote establishment of MCTs in rural areas 4. Promotion of regional initiatives on ICT and sustainable development in keeping with the goals of the Millennium Declaration and the World Summit on Sustainable Development Seminar on Digital Opportunity for all: ICT& the Fight Against Poverty

37. Where: Suva, Fiji The meeting discussed the following key issues among other things: · Country experiences and Status of ICT development; · ICTs to promote services in rural areas; · Internet applications; · Implementation of Tokyo Action Planer; · WSIS Preparations; · Future Plans for development of ICTs in Pacific The Pacific Regional Meeting on ICT

38. Where: Koror, Palau Recommendations: • Enhance their effective internet bandwidth, • Reduce costs and access time • Reduce reliance on external international links • Hold a high level meeting on Internet hub location strategy Workshops on Networking Strategy for Regional Internet Traffic Routing

39. Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Results: Increase information sharing of regulatory development and experiences among members in the region; Increase utilization of on-line consultation, electronic discussion board, websites including utilizing the APT website and APT e-mail reflector system. Set up a Consultative group on Regulation (COR); to provide a voluntary resource for consultation on regulatory issues covering Convergence; Domain Name System; Internet Charging Arrangements; Consumer Protection; Organize an annual Forum on Policy and Regulation to discuss the topics and issues of current interest; Publish a Regulatory Compendium annually. Asia Pacific Forum on Telecommunication Policy and Regulation

40. Where: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam Results: 1. The meeting discussed the status of the implementation of Tokyo Declaration and Action Plan and other specific actions in the region in bridging the digital divide. 2. Discussed initiatives by members on ICT, approval of AIIS Projects and other future activities. 3. Discussed the promotion, development and implementation of the ICT infrastructure in the APT member countries and ICT industry in the region AIIS MEETING

41. ICT Collaboration and Partnerships APT Members UN, International and Regional Organizations Private Sector CIVIL SOCIETIES NGO/NGI INDUSTRY

42. Research Projects (Completed) 1. Dissemination of Advanced Mobile Communications Technologies in Asian Countries 2. Selection of Appropriate technology in Access Network Planning Using Geographic Information System 3. Survey on Research and Development of Machine Translation in Asian countries 4. Thai Speech Recognition within the SPREC framework APT HRD Programme for Exchange of ICT Researchers and Engineers - promote the development of advanced ICT researchers/engineers in the Asia-Pacific region by exchange of personnel through international collaborative research projects on advanced ICT. Research Projects (On Going) 1.Experiment in Rural Areas using Wireless System 2. Research & Development of Japanese – Chinese Bi-Direction Machine Translation 3. Development and Implementation of an Integrated Voice and Web Based Public Service System for Rural Community in Indonesia, an e-Government Pilot Project 4. QoS in Multimedia NETWORK Architecture 5. Next Generation Telecommunication Terminal 6. Implementation of Supply Chain Management using Information Technology For Agricultural Product Distribution in Indonesia 7. Mobile Communication Technology for Medical Care and Triage (Project MCT for MCT)

44. Other Related APT ICT Programmes and Activities

45. Forthcoming APT ICT EVENTS March 29th – 31st APT Meeting on WSIS implementation and also of the Preparations for the Ministerial Conference. June 28th - 29th APT Telecommunications Development Forum July 1st - 2nd APT Ministerial Conference on Broadband and ICT Development

46. Thank You For Your Kind Attention For more information e-mail us at: aptmail@aptsec.org