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ITU Development (ITU-D)
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The mission
of the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) is to facilitate and
enhance telecommunication development worldwide by offering, organizing and coordinating
technical cooperation and assistance activities.
In fulfilling its mission, ITU-D covers the five major areas of telecommunications
development: telecommunication sector reform, technologies, management, financing
and human resources, and is supported by the four main modes of action by which
the Sector carries out its work: direct assistance (including project execution),
resource development and mobilisation, partnerships and information sharing, which
are reflected in the organisational structure of BDT.
The functions of the Telecommunication Development
Sector are "to promote and to offer technical assistance to countries in the field
of telecommunications, and also to promote the mobilisation of the material and
financial resources needed for implementation", as well as "to promote the extension
of the benefits of the new telecommunication technologies to all the world's inhabitants".
In carrying out its functions, the Telecommunication Development Sector works
through Telecommunication Development Conferences, their associated Development
Study Groups, the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group and the Telecommunication
Development Bureau (BDT).
World and Regional Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDCs and
RTDCs) discuss policy issues, agree recommendations and decide strategic plans.
There have been two WTDCs, the first in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1994) the second
in Valletta, Malta (1998). WTDC-98 decided the Valletta Action Plan (VAP)
that provides a strategic plan for the ITU Development Sector; in particular WTDC-98
adopted Resolution 9 detailing a review in the
future use of the radio spectrum. The next WTDC will be held in 2002.
The Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG) advises the Director
in reviewing the priorities and strategies of the Sector's activities as well
as monitoring the progress made in the implementation of work programmes. TDAG
provides guidelines to the work of the Bureau and recommends measures to improve
the effectiveness of the services provided to the Union's constituents.
The Telecommunication
Development Bureau (BDT) is the administrative arm of the Development Sector.
Its duties and responsibilities cover a variety of functions that range from programme
supervision and technical advice, to the collection, processing and publication
of information relevant to telecommunications development. The Bureau is headed
by an elected Director who organises and manages the work of the Sector.
The two Study Groups provide analytical support to
telecommunications development and prepare recommendations, opinions, guidelines,
handbooks, manuals and reports within each study group's areas of competence.
Study Group 1 deals with telecommunication development strategies and policies.
Study Group 2 deals with development and management of telecommunication services
and networks. The work of the study groups is defined by their questions:
Questions of Study Group 1:
6/1 Interconnection; 7/1 Universal access/service; 8/1 Establishment of an independent
regulatory body; 9/1 Impact of the introduction and utilisation of new technologies
on the regulatory environment of telecommunications; 10/1 Regulatory impact of
the phenomenon of convergence within the telecommunication broadcasting, information
technology and content sectors; 11/1 Factors to create a climate favourable to
investment; 12/1 Tariff policies, tariff models and methods of determining the
cost of national telecommunication services; 13/1 Promotion of infrastructure
and use of the Internet in developing countries; 14/1 The role of telecommunications
in social and cultural development, including the protection and promotion of
indigenous culture and identity; 15/1 Technology transfer and informatization;
16/1 Methods to enhance the viability of public service broadcasting, particularly
focussing on developing countries
Questions of
Study Group 2:
9/2 Identify study group Questions in the ITU-T and ITU-R which are of particular
interest to developing countries and systematically inform them of the progress
of work on the Questions, by way of annual progress reports, to facilitate their
contributions to the work on those Questions as well as, ultimately, to enable
them to benefit from their outputs in a timely manner; 10/2 Communications for
rural and remote areas: 10a/2 Communications for rural and remote areas; 10b/2
Development of multipurpose community telecentres 10c/2 Penetration and service
targets for rural telecommunications; 10d/2 Definition of a set of indicators
describing the state of development of a country's rural telecommunication network
and services 10e/2 Sound and television broadcasting and communication for rural
and remote areas; 10f/2 Measurement of the impact of information and communication
technologies in rural and remote areas; 10g/2 Enhancing the capacity of non-governmental
organisation (NGOs) to achieve development aims, through the use of telecommunications;
11/2 Examine digital broadcasting technologies and systems, including cost/benefit
analyses, assessment of demands on human resources, interoperability of digital
systems with existing analogue networks, and methods of migration from analogue
to digital technique; 12/2 Examine broadband communications over traditional
copper wires in regard to aspects of technologies, systems and applications;
14/2 Fostering the application of telecommunication in healthcare. Identifying
and documenting success factors for implementing telemedicine; 15/2 Human resource
management and development to meet successfully the challenges of sector reform
and transformation, with special emphasis on employment, including consideration
of gender issues; 16/2 Preparation of handbooks for developing countries.
For further information on the UK arrangements for briefing and preparation
for ITU-D activities please contact Terry Jeacock (Terry.Jeacock@ra.gsi.gov.uk
)
