International Telecommunication Regulations ITRs : Setting the stage for a connected world

1. International Telecommunication RegulationsITRs : Setting the stage for a connected world CTO Forum, Colombo, Sri-Lanka 13 September 2010 Malcolm Johnson Director of ITU-TSB

2. ITRs: Setting the stage for a connected world Background September 2010 2

3. [Background] Throughout this evolution the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been providing the general principles for the provision and operation of international telecommunications Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been constantly evolving since 1865 18652010

4. [Background] These principles are in the form of treaty-level international regulations 18652010 1879 1906 1932 1938 1949 1958 1973 1988 Regulations for international service of the Telegraph Convention (1865- last modified on 1973) Telegraph Regulations (1932 - last modified on 1973) ITRs (came into force in 1990) Telephone Regulations (1932 - last modified on 1973) Radio Regulations(first version 1906 – last modified in 2007) • ITRs are one of the four treaties of ITU. • ITRs succeeded the Telegraph Regulations (1973) and Telephone Regulations (1973) in a new treaty adopted at WATTC-88 (Melbourne). [CS/Art. 4]. • ITRs came into force in 1990.

5. [Background] The adoption of the ITRs is often taken as the start of liberalization in the sector • Why were they adopted? • To provide a basis for the provision and operation of international telecommunication services; • To outline the respective responsibilities of governments and Operating Agencies in an industry that had previously largely been government-owned or controlled; • To provide general principles, even for commercially-negotiated arrangements. * Administrations or recognized private operating agency(ies) 5

6. Outline [Background] Articles • Purpose & Scope of the Regulations • Definitions • International Network • International Telecommunication Services • Safety of Life & Priority of Telecommunications • Charging & Accounting • Suspension of Services • Dissemination of Information [reporting by ITU SG] • Special Arrangements • Final Provisions Appendices General Provisions Concerning Accounting Additional Provisions Relating to Maritime Telecommunications Service & Privilege Telecommunications

7. ITRs: Setting the stage for a connected world Influence on the ICT sector September 2010

8. [Influence on the sector] Signed by 178 countries, ITRs are a truly global treaty applied around the world Source: ITU

9. [Influence on the sector] ITRs establish the framework for… • The international network for international telecommunication services; • Safety of life and priority of telecommunications; • The basis for charging and accounting for international telecommunication services; and • The suspension of services.

10. [Influence on the sector] This treaty set the stage for an increase in competition and a reduction in accounting rates ITRs come into force Source: ITU

11. ITRs: Setting the stage for a connected world The need to rejuvenate the ITRs September 2010

12. [The need to rejuvenate the ITRs] The ICT sector has changed dramatically since the adoption of ITRs, both in technologies and in penetration A decade of ICT growth driven by new technologies Shift from fix to mobile, from voice to data as the drivers of traffic and main sources of revenue

13. [The need to rejuvenate the ITRs] The Internet is now in the center of most ICT services and every user has become a potential broadcaster The evolution from Web 1.0 and 2.0 provide an idea of the range of applications that ICTs may provide in the near future

14. [The need to rejuvenate the ITRs] Opportunities:Future ICTs could • Provide education around the world, so schoolchildren can carry their textbooks with them in the palm of their hand… • Monitor the elderly to ensure their wellbeing… • Help track and find lost children… • Enable everybody to keep up-to-date with personal and professional relations, regardless of distance… • Provide access to the world’s largest library and online store of learning, at the click of a mouse… • to mention just a few…

15. [The need to rejuvenate the ITRs] Challenges: At the same time, there are growing issues and urgent challenges that need to be addressed Preserving cybersecurity; Ensuring access to ICTs for all Fighting illegal content (such as spam, fraudulent emails or child pornography) “Net shaping” or deciding which services get priority… Distribution of revenues between carriers and content providers Taxation of international services Sovereignty of public sector over services provided offshore

16. [The need to rejuvenate the ITRs] The functioning of ICTs is the result of a set of decisions by governments, ISPs and network operators…. Source: OFCOM. Greater transparency in traffic prioritization is needed to preserve Quality of Service for consumers’ benefit….

17. ITRs: Setting the stage for a connected world What’s next September 2010

18. [What’s next] The revision of ITRs has been under discussion since 1998 C99, C00, C01 C03, C04, C05 C07, C08, C09, C10 C11 WCIT12 PP10 WTPF-09 PP06 PP98 PP02 Op.6 Res 79 Res 121 Res 146 Expert Group CWG-ITRs Expert Group CWG-WCIT-12 Res 1312 • Slow progress over the last twelve years shows the complexity of the issue and the need to build consensus to agree on a revision of the treaty. • These issues will be discussed at the November 2012 World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12)

19. WCIT-12 will be an opportunity for the 192 ITU Member States to update the ITRs for the modern communications era [What’s next] • The revised ITRs could continue to provide the general principles for the provision and operation of international telecommunication services by: • facilitating global interconnection & the interoperability of telecom infrastructure, the base layer underlying the Internet; • Underpinning the “harmonious development” & efficient operation of technical facilities; • Promoting the efficiency & availability of international telecom services.

20. This treaty could provide the framework for the healthy growth of modern international communications by: [What’s next] • Establishing general principles for the operation of international telecommunication services; • Examining issues relating to Net shaping and the prioritization of international telecommunication services to optimize Quality of Service (QoS) for consumers’ benefit; • Ensuring the right of end-users to communicate; • Promoting cybersecurity and guarding against spam and harm to facilities or consumers from the use of telecommunication/ICT services.

21. [What’s next] ITU is committed to Connecting the World… Ensuring that affordable telecommunication services are available to all, and working to ensurehealthy future growth in ICT networks and services for a safe and secure online world for all.

22. ITRs: Setting the stage for a connected world Thank you! Corporate Strategy Division September 2010

23. [More information] For more information on WCIT-12 and the ITRs: The ITRs, time for a revision? (background information for PP10) http://www.itu.int/plenipotentiary/2010/newsroom/backgrounders/itr.html CWG-WCIT12:http://www.itu.int/council/groups/cwg-wcit12/index.html 2007 Background document:http://www.itu.int/md/T05-ITR.EG-INF-0002/en