Connect Asia -Pacific
1 Telecommunication/ICT policy and regulatory cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region
Objectives
To assist members in the Asia-Pacific region to develop various regulatory skills and frameworks relating to next-generation networks and services, licensing, spectrum management, convergence, cybersecurity, internet multilingualism, universal service obligation (USO), etc., through enhanced cooperation and strengthened regional presence; enhance interconnectivity and interoperability within and among Asia-Pacific member countries, including those from APT and ASEAN; and establish mechanisms to link ITU and telecommunication/ICT policy-makers from Asia-Pacific region for sharing and exchanging information, experiences, etc.
Expected results
Further to Resolution 48 (Doha, 2006), a comprehensive proposal and implementation plan to enhance regulatory cooperation and step up activities globally, organize a series of trainings/study visits, and establish a comprehensive, cooperative and coordinated (recognizing Resolution 25 (Rev. Marrakesh, 2002) of the Plenipotentiary Conference) telecommunication/ICT development action plan and programme located in the Asia-Pacific region; and enhance the capabilities of policy-makers and regulators from Asia-Pacific member countries, including those from ASEAN, in the determination and implementation of programmes and strategies in telecommunications/ICTs through close collaboration between ITU and regional organizations in the Asia-Pacific region (e.g. APT, ASEAN, etc.).
2 Rural communications - Infrastructure development
Objectives
To develop infrastructure in rural areas, in order especially to ensure universal service, through two different mechanisms (e.g. competition vs. subsidization) subject to different phases of development of telecommunications/ICT in Asia and the Pacific region, taking into account the relevant Questions of study groups: a) Competition mechanism: To promote competition in rural areas for providing telecommunication/ICT services, promote infrastructure sharing among various service providers to bring down the costs, reduce the regulatory costs and government levies as an incentive, identify and develop suitable applications for the local rural populations (e.g. youth and women), and identify the mechanisms for support from universal service funds in a time-bound manner for the initial state of deployment of telecommunication/ICT services in rural areas; b) Subsidized and universal service funding mechanism: To identify the models for accelerating telecommunication/ICT development in rural communities and implement pilot projects in areas with various demographic and geographic characteristics.
Expected results
a) Competition mechanism: Entry of multiple service providers to provide telecommunication/ICT services in rural areas using the appropriate and cost-effective technologies; guidelines for sharing of infrastructure; guidelines to identify incentives for reducing regulatory costs and government levies to increase the growth of telecommunication/ICT services in rural areas; identification and development of a database for various applications offered by different service providers in rural areas in different countries, and development of a mechanism for encouraging the participation of local youth and women in the development of suitable applications for rural populations; and guidelines for limited and time-bound universal service mechanisms for rural areas for telecommunication/ICT services; b) Subsidized and universal service funding mechanism: A handbook of best practices for accelerating telecommunication/ICT development in rural communities; recommendations/guidelines on best practices for rural telecommunications/ICTs; implementation of pilot projects to demonstrate best practices for installing and maintaining the latest information and communication equipments suitable for an environment of unserved and underserved areas lacking in basic infrastructure such as electricity power and other amenities.
3 NGN planning
Objectives
To study new Questions on planning, technologies and migration strategies for next-generation networks (NGN), identifying requirements in terms of NGN software tools and evaluation criteria for NGN planning software packages, and to launch global network planning initiatives assisting Member States and Sector Members in Asia and the Pacific with smooth migration from existing telecommunication infrastructures to NGN.
Expected results
A handbook with a number of parts on NGN network planning methodologies: e.g. multi-dimension NGN network planning process, advanced NGN service demand forecasting methods, advanced NGN traffic forecasting models, advanced NGN business models, and NGN network structure and dimensioning optimization methodologies; options on appropriate and cost-effective NGN technologies and migration strategies; a guideline for selecting NGN network planning software tools; and global network planning initiative.
4 The unique telecommunication/ICT needs of Pacific islands and small island developing states (SIDS) in the Asia-Pacific region
Objectives
To identify cost-effective telecommunication/ICT technologies that can bridge the digital divide and bring digital opportunities for all, particularly small island developing states (SIDS) facing unique challenges such as isolation, distance, and lack of resources; provide a variety of solutions and best practices for the development and use of telecommunications/ICTs, including multipurpose community telecentres (MCT), that minimize the risk and uncertainty inhibiting investment in SIDS - especially in the Asia-Pacific region, since no other region has as many SIDS with remote island communities; and assist SIDS in their ongoing needs for development and maintenance of skills in the enabling telecommunication/ICT policy, regulatory, legal and operational environment to migrate to and manage new telecommunication/ICT technologies, networks and services through subregional, regional and international cooperation.
Expected results
Establishment of Question(s) in ITU study groups for identifying communication technologies which are available and will work for SIDS in a cost-effective manner; guidance for SIDS through best practices for installing and maintaining the communication equipment recommended for their unique circumstances, where basic infrastructure such as electrical power is either lacking or absent; practical advice and assistance for SIDS in utilizing communication equipment and programmes for e-health, e-education, disaster and emergency communications, etc. in their unique environment, which is different from those in remote land-based or landlocked states; and ongoing tailor-made capacity building and exchange programmes for SIDS on various aspects of telecommunications/ICTs ranging from policies, regulations and operations to technologies in a dynamically evolving digital era in order to optimize digital opportunities.
5 Strengthening the collaboration between ITU-T and ITU-D
Objectives
To assist, through ITU-D, the developing countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, that lack the necessary human resources to understand ITU-T Recommendations, and to enhance the application of ITU-T Recommendations for telecommunication/ICT services and equipments in the developing countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Expected results
Close coordination mechanism(s) between ITU-T and ITU-D at the regional level through the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; guidelines for the developing countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, on how to understand and apply ITU-T Recommendations, particularly those having policy and regulatory implications; creation of an e-mail reflector (e.g. "ITU-T Recommendation Guide") with a pool of experts on telecommunication/ICT standards from both the developed and developing countries, through which the developing countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, can share their understanding and seek advice; online and/or face-to-face capacity building by experts to improve understanding of ITU-T Recommendations by the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region; assistance to the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region in determining whether their national standards are consistent and comply with ITU-T Recommendations; and improved participation of the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region both in ITU-T and ITU-D, which will lead to better use of international standards by those countries.
THE SUMMIT
ITU plans to organize the Connect Asia-Pacific Summit with partners in the next few years. The Summit is expected to bring together some 500 participants.
As the UN specialized agency for information communication technology, ITU will stage this major ICT event as part its Connect the World series, an ambitious initiative aimed at connecting the unconnected by the year 2015.
Summit Objectives
The overall objective of the Connect Asia-Pacific is to mobilize the human, financial and technical resources required to close Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gaps in the region. The Summit offers a venue for leaders from the public and private sectors as well as international and regional financing and development agencies to network face-to-face and forge new partnerships.
The Summit features discussion panels and roundtables focusing on the challenges posed to emerging and transition economies in harnessing the full potential of ICTs. Bold decisions and commitments will be announced on multi-stakeholder partnerships to meet these challenges.
Summit Participants
The Summit will welcome:
a.. Heads of state and government
b.. Ministers
c.. Chief Executive Officers and senior executives of leading regional and international ICT businesses
d.. Heads of regional and international development organizations
e.. Senior officials of the United Nations
f.. Senior officials of regional and international financial institutions
g.. National, regional and global media companies
h.. Prominent academics and industry analysts
Summit Programme
The Summit programme will feature a wide range of prominent speakers and participants.
Innovative and diverse format features
a.. Televised sessions - real-time television coverage by a global broadcast network
b.. A well-known international media personality as moderator for televised sessions
c.. Exclusive media interviews with regional and international ICT decision makers
d.. Internet web casts of sessions and roundtables
e.. Networking sessions
f.. Exclusive VIP media interviews
Sessions
The Summit programme will comprise highly interactive discussion panels for top-decision makers to highlight the problems and share solutions required to close the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gaps throughout the region.
Each panel will feature senior officials and experts from government, the private sector, donor and financial institutions, regional and international organizations as well as academia. Following an exchange between panelists, the moderator will lead an open discussion, between both panelists and the audience.
The session discussions will be solution-oriented and highlight concrete commitments being announced by various stakeholders
For more info: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/connect/asia/programme.html
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Bazlu
_______________________
AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)
[NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council]
&
Head, Community Radio Academy
House: 13/1, Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207
Post Box: 5095, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh
Phone: 88-02-9130750, 88-02-9138501
Cell: 01711881647 Fax: 88-02-9138501-105
E-mail: [log in to unmask] www.bnnrc.net
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