Contribution from the Director of the BDT
Introduction and background
Council 2004 Resolution 1222, resolves to instructs the Secretary-General and the Directors of the
Bureaux to implement those results of Phase I that relate directly to the ITU mandate and its core
competencies, including reporting on activities that pertain thereto in their respective operational
plans.
In accordance with the above-mentioned Council Resolution, this document gives an overview of
the ITU-D contribution to the implementation of WSIS Plan of Action. It contains an overview of
the synergies between ITU-D current mandate and the relevant Action Lines of the WSIS Plan of
Action adopted in December 2003, reference to a detailed listing of actions undertaken and planned
in an updated stock-taking document, new projects and partnerships launched during WSIS and
new initiatives resulting from the momentum generated by WSIS. All actions either undertaken or
planned are within the current mandate of ITU-D.
1. Stock-Taking
A detailed listing of activities undertaken by ITU-D that are relevant to the WSIS Plan of Action
can be found in the updated stocktaking provided as an annex to this report. The table below
shows at a very broad level, the correlation between Action Lines of the WSIS Plan of Action and
the relevant ITU-D mandate.
WSIS Plan of Action - Action Line
Relevant ITU-D Mandate
C1. The Role of governments and all stakeholders in the
promotion of ICTs for Development
IsAP Programmes 1, 3, and 4
WTDC02 Resolutions 6, 13 and 29
C2. Information and communication infrastructure: an
essential foundation for the information society
IsAP Programmes 1, 3, and 4.
WTDC02 Resolution 3
C3. Access to information and knowledge
IsAP Programmes 3 and 4
C4. Capacity Building
IsAP Programmes 3, 4 and 5
C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs
IsAP Programme 3
C.6 Enabling Environment
IsAP Programmes 1 and 3
PP02 Resolution 102
C7. ICT Applications
IsAP Programme 3
WTDC02 Resolution 3
C8. Cultural Diversity and Identity, linguistic diversity
and local content
IsAP Programme 3
C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
IsAP Programme 3
C11. International and regional cooperation
IsAP Programmes 1, 3 and 4
2. Partnerships and Projects launched during WSIS
In its effort to increase resource mobilization and partnerships, the BDT took advantage of the
presence of a host of stakeholders during WSIS to conclude a number of agreements aimed at
extending its activities within its current mandate. Many of these agreements and alliances were
established during WSIS, leading to a number of projects supported by partners from public and
private sector and international donor organizations.
Title: Connectivity for Rural and Remote Areas
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3
This project will focus on providing connectivity for rural and remote areas. It will specifically
provide e-post through telekiosks at post offices in Bhutan. The project will be based on existing
telecom and organizational framework of Bhutan Telecom and Bhutan Post.
Partners: Government of India, Royal Government of Bhutan and Universal Postal Union
Title: Health Academy Project
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3
The project aims at using telecommunications and ICTs to bring knowledge and know-how in
health and disease prevention into the domain of the villagers, the community and the majority of
the population of most countries especially the underprivileged in least developed countries
worldwide. Through this ITU-WHO joint collaboration, ongoing ITU MCT, e-applications and
other access-related projects could be vehicles for the delivery of information on health and disease
prevention.
Partners: WHO
Title: E-government projects in Cameroon, Kyrgyz Republic and Rwanda
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3
Description: These projects seek to enhance government services to citizens and increase
transparency and efficiency in delivering these services. It will enable governments to exchange
sensitive information, provide solutions for citizens and business to do e-payments enable citizens
to conduct secure online transactions to access administrative services. Theses services will
facilitate the decentralization of government structure by bringing, through ICTs, important services
to citizens via secure and highly trusted information infrastructure and applications.
Partners: European Community, Contribution: US$ 1million
Title: National E-health Project for Turkey
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3, WTDC02 Resolution 41
Description: The strategic objective of the project is to improve healthcare services in Turkey by
developing a Highly Secure National Health Information Platform that enables healthcare providers
(primary and secondary healthcare), health professionals’ and citizen’s easy and safe access to
health related information and services by using latest Information and Communication
Technologies. Development of primary healthcare information systems supporting family doctors
system, implementation of electronic health records and development of interoperable systems
between healthcare service providers including primary healthcare centres, hospitals and public
private insurance agencies are some of the deliverables of this project.
Partners: Government of Turkey and World Bank. Contribution: US$ 50 million.
Title: E-learning project for Rural Schools in LDCs
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 6
Description: This is an ITU/Inmarsat initiative to develop e-learning services in priority least
developed countries and other developing countries. The objective is to provide Internet
connectivity to rural schools and e-health through Inmarsat’s Regional BGAN IP satellite modem.
The satellite that provides high speed data service at up to 144 kilobits per second is available to 99
countries in the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Europe, the Indian sub-continent, and parts
of Central Asia. However, the service will be available to the rest of the developing countries
following the launch of a new satellite in 2005.
Partners: Inmarsat.
Title: Extension of Internet Training Centres Initiative
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5
Description: This projects aims at the establishment of 20 additional Internet Training Centres in
2004 and sets the stage for ITU and Cisco Systems to further develop their cooperation in
developing and least developed countries. The Internet Training Centres will be selected in close
collaboration with the national communications authorities and will primarily target civil servants.
Partners: CISCO
Title: Strengthening African Capacity for Cost-Effective Access to the Internet
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 3
Description: The project will contribute towards the building of strong Internet infrastructure
backbone in Africa. The overall aim is to provide affordable Internet access and connectivity
through the implementation of national and regional Internet exchange points plus any other critical
infrastructure projects identified during the feasibility study and endorsed for implementation.
While Africa’s improved Internet connectivity will be the main focus, other regions will benefit in
the process by drawing lessons from the African situation for further improving their own
connectivity, and enjoy other regions will benefit in the process by drawing lessons from the
African situation for further improving their own connectivity, and enjoy other benefits accruing
from the improved access.
Partner: UNDP. External contribution: US$ 1 million
Title: Provision of services for the use of Simputers in the e-post project in Bhutan
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 2 & 3
Description: Simputers with software that enables translation into local languages are integrated
in order to overcome barriers of illiteracy, computer literacy, language and costs. The combination
of technologies also addresses the basic issue of infrastructure such as lack of electricity. An
important component is expansion of the national telecom network for six extremely remote, high
altitude locations.
Partner: Encore Software Ltd., India
Title: Cooperation Agreement between ITU & The World Bank Group
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 1 & 4
Description: Strengthen the coordination of activities of the two organizations related to ICT
development and promote investment friendly environment in developing countries.
Partner: The World Bank Group / Global Information & Communications Technologies Dept.
Title: Implementation of business management programme at the ITU Centres of Excellence
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5
Description: Provision and support by the “Institut National des Télécommunications” of business
management programme “SIMOBIZ” to be implemented in the ITU Centres of Excellence
initiative.
Partners:
Minister of Foreign Affairs / International Cooperation Directorate of France
Institut National des Télécommunications, France
Title: Development and support of RASCOM system
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 2
Description: Build a working relationship between ITU & RASCOM in order to facilitate the use
of RASCOM system as a tool for achieving Universal Service and Access in Africa in a costeffective, efficient, affordable and sustainable manner.
Partners:
RASCOM and RascomStar-QAF
Title: Development of a multi-vendors technical platform by the ITU Centres of Excellence
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5
Description: Development and implementation of a multi-vendors platform by the International
Institute of Telecommunications (IIT) of Montreal, Canada, in order to allow local development and
update of products and services in developing countries.
Partners:
Government of Canada / Industry Canada,
International Institute of Telecommunications (IIT) Canada
Title: e-Learning project for high schools in Jamaica
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 3 & 5
Description: Cooperative Agreement between ITU & Government of Jamaica for development
and implementation of an e-education / e-learning project, in order to complete the current high
school network in Jamaica, using interactive video, television and distance-learning techniques.
Partner:
Ministry of Trade, Sciences & Technologies, Jamaica
Title: Support to the telecommunication sector in Angola
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 1, 2 & 5
Description: Cooperative Agreement between ITU and the Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications of Angola, for the support of the telecommunications sector and in particular
the modernization of infrastructures, the assistance to the new regulatory agency and the
development of the National Telecommunications Institute.
Partner:
Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications of Angola
Title: Management development programme
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programme 5
Description: Cooperation with the International Institute of Management in Telecommunications
(iimt) of the university of Fribourg, Switzerland, for developing and implementing a Management
Development Programme in developing countries, within the framework of the ITU Centres of
Excellence initiative.
Partner: International Institute of Management in Telecommunications (iimt), Fribourg (CH)
Title: e-Learning project
Reference to ITU-D Mandate: IsAP Programmes 2 & 5
Description: Cooperative Agreement between ITU and WorldSpace Corp., for developing and
facilitating access to education in developing countries through the use of WorldSpace satellites
equipment and services in Asia, Middle-East, Africa and Europe.
Partner: WorldSpace Corporation
3. New Initiatives
WSIS also served as a catalyst in boosting ITU-D activities and in facilitating the establishment of a
number of alliances. The momentum generated by WSIS resulted in a number of new initiatives
that are within the framework ITU-D’s current mandate, which were possible because of the
increased awareness of the role, mandate and activities of ITU-D. Many of these initiatives are
currently being finalized and information on their status will be made available in 2005.
ANNEX
ITU-D Activities relevant to the implementation of the WSIS Plan of Action
Ref. Doc.: Council Res. 1207, instructing the Secretary General and the Directors of the Bureaux to perform a “stock-taking exercise” and prepare an
analysis paper, to show how ITU’s current work programme contributes to the fulfilment of the objectives outlined in the WSIS draft action plan and to
post this material on both the ITU and the WSIS websites by 1 July 2003.
Ref Doc. Council 2004 Resolution 1222, resolves to instructs the Secretary-General and the Directors of the Bureaux to implement those results of
Phase I that relate directly to the ITU mandate and its core competencies, including reporting on activities that pertain thereto in their respective
operational plans. In accordance with Council Resolution 1222, the activities reported in this document are based on ITU’s current mandate and for
the BDT, updated to reflect activities undertaken and planned before and after the adoption of the WSIS Plan of Action, within the current Plan of
Action of the Development Sector, and to implement specific Action Lines in the WSIS Plan of Action
Stocktaking document outline:
-Action lines (I-XI)
-Digital Solidarity Agenda
-Follow-up and evaluation
-Towards WSIS Phase 2 (Tunis)
ITU Activities
Activities/projects/initiatives
C. Action lines (1-11) (WSIS Plan of Action)
References
Responsible sector/
office
C1. The Role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
8. 8a) 8b) 8c) 8e) 8g) 8h) 8i)
The ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication
Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003” addresses
how governments can promote ICTs for development by
fostering an effective regulatory environment.
BDT/PSF/RRU
ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication
Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th
edition”
http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html
The ITU organized G-REX Virtual Conferences in order
to enable regulators and policy makers to share information
on key regulatory topics while using the very ICTs over
which they may have a policy and regulatory mandate.
The ITU has performed case studies, providing feedback
to regulators from the private sector, investors and
consumers which articulated the perspective of these three
key stakeholders in promoting ICTs for development.
BDT/PSF/RRU
http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only)
BDT/PSF/RRU
The ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR)
fosters cooperation among national regulatory authorities
around the globe and seeks to encourage dialogue between
regulators and key stakeholders including private sector,
investors and consumers. During the 4th annual
Symposium, held just prior to the WSIS, participants
prepared a blueprint of what should be done to ensure that
global access to the tools of communication is extended to
all of humanity. The GSR Universal Access Best Practice
Guidelines were submitted to the WSIS.
The 5th annual Symposium will take place from 8-10
December 2004 in Geneva on the subject of licensing in an
era of convergence. Participants will discuss best practice
guidelines to promote low cost broadband and internet
connectivity.
In preparation for the 5th annual GSR, BDT launched a
consultation among countries in order to identify best
BDT/PSF/RRU
http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/consumers.ht
ml
http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/investors.htm
l
http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/privates.html
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/treg/Events/Seminars/2003/GSR/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/treg/Events/Seminars/2004/GSR04/index.html
BDT/PSF/RRU
To view contributions, see http://www.itu.int/ITUD/treg/Events/Seminars/2004/GSR04/consultation.html
practices for the promotion of low cost broadband and
internet connectivity.
ITU-D Study Groups 1 and 2.
BDT/IOS/STG
ISAP Programme 2
Assist Governments and regulators in developing countries
to set up a regulatory/legal framework designed to
minimize the network deployment cost while facilitating
the provision of extensive network coverage and specific
social service and applications. Assist countries during the
licensing process for migration/evolution from 2G to 3G
mobile.
BDT/PSF/TND
IsAP Programme 3
Explore opportunities for identifying potential partners
based on project requirements and facilitating the creation
of mutually beneficial partnerships.
Actions: Governments, private sector and civil society
representing 35 countries have already signed the World eTrust MoU, the objective of which is to establish an
inclusive, technology-neutral and technology-independent
framework for partnerships in the development of secure
ICT applications.
BDT/PSF/E-STR
Resolution 3 (Rev. Istanbul, 2002)
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/pdf/B406021-2_002-en.doc
WTDC-02 Resolution 43
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/licensing.html
BDT/FOP/LDC
IsAP Programme 6 (Programme for the Least
Developed Countries) held a multi-stakeholder conference
in July 2004 to promote ICTs development and highlight
the role each stakeholder (governments, private sector,
academia, civil society, and inter-governmental
organizations) is playing and how this role can be
enhanced.
Global E-Government Project: "Enhancing Government
BDT/PSF/E-STR
Services through the use of Secure and Trusted Internet
Infrastructures and Applications". This project is aimed at
assisting and increasing government efficiency in
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/estrategy/MoU/world_e.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/mauritius
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/
Executive summary at:
(http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/projects/EGovernment/Executive-summary11.pdf)
developing countries by providing Internet-based services
and applications to citizens and government officials.
In the framework of Programme 4 of the ITU-D Istanbul
Action Plan (IsAP), a macroeconomic study on financing
telecommunication development has been undertaken. The
objective of this study is to evaluate the opportunities
opened up by telecommunication development, and the
financing required in low teledensity countries, by
considering 34 selected developing countries. The
participation of different players, such as the private sector,
equity investors, financial institutions, national and
multinational organizations, regulators, operators and
service providers was taken into consideration.
ITU-D Partnership and external cooperation
As far as cooperation among stakeholders is concerned
ITU should, in line with the WTDC-02 Resolution 29,
-continue to apply the principles of transparency and non
exclusivity to partnership opportunities and projects
involving the private sector.
-promote increased sector membership & active
participation of sector members in ITU-D activities and
develop ITU regional offices tasks that improve
mechanisms for increased sector member participation in
their activities.
-facilitate exchange of views and information between
Member States and Sector Members on private sector
issues related to telecommunication policies and regulation,
technologies and related services, market access and
investment conditions.
-promote and facilitate the creation of human resource
development programmes and activities relevant to Sector
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/index-fr.html
BDT/PSF/PPM
WTDC-02- Resolution 29:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res029.pdf
WTDC-02-Resolution 6:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res006.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/membership
Members’ interests in developing countries, encouraging
private and public sector participation
-coordinate and cooperate with public and private
organizations, foundations and financial institutions on
issues concerning telecommunication development and
promote opportunities for ITU-D sector members.
-facilitate cooperation and coordination between sector
members and regional associations of the private sector.
-facilitate the development of public and private sector
partnerships for the implementation of regional initiatives
such as the NEPAD, the Agenda for the Connectivity of the
Americas.
The ITU WTDC-02 Resolution 13 on Resource
BDT/PSF/PPM
Mobilization and Partnership for acceleration
telecommunication development.
The Working Group on Gender Issues, which is made up of BDT/DIR/YAG
Member States, Sector Members, representatives of
international organisations as well as research and
academic organisations works with ITU-D to develop
strategies and projects aimed at promoting ICTs for
development
WTDC-02 Resolution 13:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res013.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/gender/events/3rdAnnualWGGIMeeting/
C2. Information and communication infrastructure: an essential foundation for the Information Society
9. 9a) 9b) 9c) 9d) 9g) 9h) 9i) 9j) 9k) 9l
ISAP Programme 2 focuses on assisting developing
countries to plan, build, operate, upgrade, manage and
maintain the technologies used in their networks and
services, for wireline and wireless networks, terrestrial
mobile communications, spectrum management and
broadcasting.
BDT/PSF/TND
The Istanbul Action Plan: http://www.itu.int/ITUD/isap/WTDC-02FinalReport/Section2/Prog2.pdf
Tasks:
Create or recommend appropriate tools for
telecommunication Network Planning as well as ITU new
Spectrum Management System for developing countries.
Increase awareness and knowledge of new planning
strategies and tools for evolving wireline and wireless
networks to Next Generation networks (NGN), terrestrial
mobile communications, spectrum management and
broadcasting. Organization of Regional Seminars,
Symposia, workshops on new technologies (wireless
networks, terrestrial mobile communications, spectrum
management and broadcasting) and related Network
Planning Strategies
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/networkinfrastructure/Manual_Network_Planning/ITU_Vision
_NetwPlann_1.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/networkinfrastructure/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt2000/BDTActivities.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/networkinfrastructure/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/ties_users/Manual_Network_Planning/index.html
Production of Technology-oriented guides, planning
manuals and professional engineering training material on
a new approach on Network Planning for Evolving
Network Architectures to NGN, Mobile Network
Transition fro 2G 3G and Spectrum Management
Provision of assistance to Member States and Sector
Members for project implementation, Technical advices,
feasibility studies and technical advices and consultation on
Technologies related matter such as network infrastructure
planning and management, mobile, frequency planning and
spectrum management
http://www.itu.int/md/meetingdoc.asp?type=sitems&la
ng=e&parent=D02-SG02-C-0131
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/networkinfrastructure/Direct_Assistance_Fixed_Networks/inde
x.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt2000/GSM%20Kenya.html
IsAP Programme 3 on E-strategies and eservices/applications focuses directly on harnessing the
potentials of ICTs to reduce the social divide and facilitate
access to the information society and on advising Member
States in formulating relevant national and regional
strategies and policies for the development and use of
Internet and e-services/applications.
BDT/PSF/E-STR
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/
The Istanbul Action Plan:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/IstanbulActionPlan.html
WTDC Istanbul Final Report:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/index.html
Priorities
a) Integrate IP-based applications and value-added
services in the development of all kinds of
telecommunication networks. The development of
telecommunication infrastructure needs to be integrated in
the deployment of IP-based applications and value-added
e-services/applications by taking into account advances in
technologies, the integration of data and voice, user
requirements and socio-economic conditions.
Actions: many workshops and seminars have been
organized at the national and regional levels, leading to the
elaboration of national and regional policies for ICTs.
IsAP PROGRAMME 6: Programme for the Least
Developed Countries seeking to mobilize resources and
implement infrastructure in least developed countries in
promotion of universal access. A number of infrastructure
related projects were implemented including community
multi-purpose telecentres in a number of countries selected
to benefit from concentrated assistance in 2004.
A number of publications were prepared in support of
ongoing initiatives to include a number of country specific
expert reports, and others of a global nature such as The
Application of Information and Communication
ITU Development sector:
Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf
E-strategy unit:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy
BDT/FOP/LDC
LDC Unit: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/projects
Technologies in the Least Developed Countries for
Sustained Economic Growth, Handbook on Emergency
Telecommunications
Strategic studies & Guides:


Handbook on Deployment of IMT-2000 Systems
(finalised in close collaboration with BR and TSB
Sectors): The purpose and scope of this Handbook
is to provide general guidance to ITU members,
network operators and other relevant parties on
issues related to the deployment of IMT-2000
systems. This Handbook is intended for everyone
concerned with building, supporting and serving the
market, as well as technology specialists, operators
and ITU members. Several new players will enter
the IMT-2000 services market to ensure its success,
and this Handbook is also intended to help them.
Guidelines on the smooth Transition of existing
Mobile Networks to IMT-2000 for Developing
Countries (MTG): In the last decade, large preIMT-2000 mobile telecommunications networks
have been deployed all over the world. In some
countries, the penetration of mobile users exceeds
75% and the mobile generated traffic is comparable
to – if not greater than - the fixed traffic. These
Guidelines are intended for use of telecom
operators, policy makers and regulators to facilitate
development of their respective strategies for the
transition from pre-IMT-2000 networks to IMT2000. While it is desirable for pre-IMT-2000
systems to be able to evolve to IMT-2000, the
decision whether or not to evolve is not within the
scope of the ITU. In each case the decision, as a
policy matter, must be made by those responsible
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/publications
BDT/PSF/E-STR
BDT/PSF/TND
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/documents/IMT2000%20Handbook_Web_1.pdf
http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/tsb/imt2000.html
http://www.itu.int/md/meetingdoc.asp?type=sitems&la
ng=e&parent=D02-SG02-C-0131
for each particular system/service. These
Guidelines intend to present an objective and
neutral view of the issues to be addressed in the
transition from existing mobile networks to IMT2000. The Guidelines are a natural complement to
the ITU “Handbook on Deployment of IMT-2000
Systems”, in which more detailed technical
information can be found.
 Manual on Telecom Network Planning for
Evolving Network Architectures: New-generation
technology is to be introduced in the networks,
speeding up the convergence process, obliging
planners to apply different specialized up-to-date
planning tools. This manual intends to present an
objective and technology neutral view of the topics
to be addressed in the planning of the transition to
NGN. The Reference Manual is intended for use by
network planning experts from telecom operators,
policy makers and regulators to facilitate the
development of their respective strategies for
evolution of the present network architectures and
transition to the Next Generation Networks - NGN.
 Essential Report on IP Telephony: Considering
that important technical, socio-economic and policy
issues need to be addressed by developing countries
in order to introduce IP telephony, the "Essential
Report on IP Telephony" was prepared by the
Group of Experts from both developing and
developed countries.
 Support for Development of the Global
Information Infrastructure in Africa: “Guide on
Managing and Developing Network Connections
and Interconnections to the National Internet
Nodes”. At a time when the telecommunication
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/networkinfrastructure/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/publicationsarticles/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/publicationsarticles/



sector is undergoing a genuine transformation as a
result of the convergence of telecommunication,
computer and audiovisual technologies, this guide
is designed to provide some signposting in the
innovative sphere of Internet-based
communications networks.
Implementation of IP telephony in developing
countries (Question 19/1): Studies and
discussions on the evolution to IP-based networks
including IP telephony and broadband access will
allow Member States and Sector Members to
exchange information, share experiences and
discuss issues that emerge as developing countries
plan and implement IP- based infrastructure.
Strategy for migration from circuit-switched
networks to packet-switched networks (Question
19/2): Most of the existing switching networks
especially in developing countries are circuit
switched based type. Convergence of voice, data
and video requires packet based switched networks.
The study of this Question involves the review,
analysis and assessment of the experience of many
countries with regard to the strategy towards Next
generation Networks - NGN.
Examination of access technologies for
broadband communications (Question 20-1/2):
This study includes an economic analysis of the
factors affecting the deployment of various
broadband access-technologies. The study also
includes an examination of the benefits of using
broadband technologies taking into account the
gender perspective.
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG1/StudyQuestions/SG1Quest.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/SG2Quest.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/SG2Quest.html
In accordance with Resolution 3 of the WTDC in Istanbul
two ITU-D study groups were set up, Study Groups 1 and
2, which address various important questions.
BDT/IOS/STG
WTDC-02 Resolution 3:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res003.pdf
List of Study Group questions of
Study Group 1
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG1/StudyQuestions/SG1Quest.html
Study Group 2
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/SG2Quest.html
The studies of ITU-D Study Group 1 on:
-among others more equitable sharing of interconnection
costs, thereby contributing to reducing the price of
connectivity to end-users in developing countries,
facilitating the universalization of access.
Interconnection addresses technical, economic and
regulatory aspects of interconnection.
(Question 6-1/1)
-financing for universal access. (Question 7-1/1)
-the Impact of Convergence of telecommunication,
broadcasting and information technology.
(Question 10-1/1)
-on Satellite regulation in developing countries. (Question
17/1)
The studies of ITU-D Study Groups 2 on
-“communications for rural and remote areas”, hereby
contributing to studies undertaken with aim at finding
BDT/PSF/RRU &
BDT/IOS/STG
BDT/PSF/TND
Definition of Question 6-1/1
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST06-1E.doc
Definition of question 7 -1/1:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST07-1E.doc
Definition of Question 10-1/1
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST10-1E.doc
BDT/IOS/STG
BDT/PSF/TND
Question 17/1 definition:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG1/StudyQuestions/QuestionDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST17E.doc
Definition of Question 10 1/ 2:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ
relevant solutions for promoting the development of
(information and) communication infrastructures adapted
to the environment, and relevant to communities, with
particular attention to the needs of remote and rural areas,
and marginalized urban areas.
(Question 10 1/ 2)
-The examination of broadband communications over
traditional copper wire, taking into account certain aspects
of technologies, systems and applications (Question 121/2)
-The examination of access technologies for broadband
communications (Question 20/2),
contribute to the development and strengthening of
national, regional and international broadband network
infrastructure to help in providing the capacity to match the
needs of countries and their citizens and for the delivery of
new services.
- Identify the economic impact and development aspects
for migration of mobile networks to IMT-2000 and beyond,
with particular attention to cost affordability for the endusers, as well as identification of migration techniques
taking into consideration the experience of developed
countries and the special needs of developing countries
(e.g. sparse population, low traffic density, propagation
conditions, and the need for a low-cost national IMT-2000
network). Examine The possibility of using first and
second generation mobile spectrum for IMT-2000 and
beyond. (Question 18/2).
As a strategic priority of ITU, IMT-2000/3G mobile
provides a framework for worldwide wireless access
making use of terrestrial and/or satellite components based
on globally harmonized frequency spectrum associated
with radio and network core specifications defined by a set
of interdependent ITU Recommendations.
UEST10-1E.doc
Definition of Question 12-1/2:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST12-1E.doc
Definition of Question 20/2:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST20E.doc
Definition of Question 18/2:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST18E.doc
ITU-D
ITU-R
ITU-T
SPU
About ITU’s IMT-2000 activities:
http://www.itu.int/imt
In the spirit of Resolution 43 (Istanbul, 2002) ITU is:
-Providing advice and direct assistance to countries in
implementing the IMT-2000 systems in accordance with
the ITU Radio Regulations and the relevant ITU
Recommendations.
-Organising seminars and workshops and producing
training material and Handbooks on strategic planning for
the introduction of IMT-2000.
-Preparing a guideline for smooth migration (MTG),
including system interoperability among third-generation
technologies, and undertaking studies on economics of
migration to IMT-2000, with particular reference to its
impact on developing countries.
IsAP Resolution 43:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res043.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt2000/BDTActivities.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST18E.doc
Youth Programme provided equipment to Child Helpline
International so that children and young people from LDCs
could obtain advice through the telephone.
BDT/DIR/YAG
The ITU addresses the special needs of indigenous people
by having launched, at the WTDC in Istanbul, a special
initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits of
communication among the indigenous people. The
initiative pays in particular attention to identifying the
barriers to access to telecommunication systems/ICT
services and recommending ways to overcome them.
BDT launched a successful project for the indigenous
Andinian community (Aymara and Quechua) in Bolivia.
Through a satellite antenna and a telecenter installed in
village school, ITU connected this disadvantaged group
with the rest of the world.
In collaboration with Member States and the Africa
Programme, the Gender Issues programme supports the
provision of sustainable connectivity and access to remote
BDT/PSF/E-STR
BDT/DIR/YAG
Special initiative 4:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/SpecialInitiatives.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/
BDT/DIR/YAG
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
and marginalized locations through the creation of multipurpose community centers.
The ITU has started programme 6 of the Istanbul Action
Plan, a Special programme for LDCs, which aims at
increasing the average telephone density to 5 main lines
(ML) per 100 inhabitants and the number of Internet
connections to 10 users per 100 inhabitants by 2010 (year
of the fourth United Nations Conference for LDCs).
“Universal Service in the Americas”, jointly published in
2000 by ITU, CITEL and AHCIET. A joint publication
highlighting the experiences of countries in Americas with
Universal Service policies and financing.
MEF Unit assists developing countries to formulate and
implement economic/financial policies by developing or
offering tools and methodologies for calculating the cost of
providing telecommunication services, interconnection,
economic forecasts, simulation and sensitivity analyses of
price changes. In this regard two Expert Dialogues were
successfully organized with the participation of
representatives from Administration/Regulators, operators,
private sector and scientific institutions:
- Expert Dialogue on Adjusting Forecasting Methods to
the Needs of the telecommunication Sector (Geneva
25-26 October 2004)
- Expert Dialogue on Managing Risk in the Competitive
Environment of the Telecommunication Sector
(Geneva 28-29 Oct. 2004).
Given the importance of the use of IP networks, the ITU
developed a study on Pricing of telecommunication
services based on IP networks: the objective of this study
ITU special programme for LDCs website:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/
Programme 6 IsAP:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog6.pdf
BDT/FOP/AM
BDT/PSF/MEF
BDT/PSF/MEF
Universal Services in the Americas:
http://www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-d/publicat/b_book.html
http://www.citel.oas.org/pubs/universal_service.asp
CITEL website:
http://www.citel.oas.org/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-costtariffs/events/index-results-04.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/
is to illustrate to regulators, operators and service providers
an economic model indicating how to create profits using
IP-based networks as a vehicle for real time
telecommunication services.
ITU Publication: Trends in Economics and Finance –
BDT/PSF/MEF
Cost, Tariff and Interconnection Rate Calculation
Methodology is aimed at network operators and regulatory
authorities in developing countries. This publication sets
out a model for calculating telephone services, costs, tariffs
and interconnection rates, and also presents the results
emerging from typical case studies carried out on the basis
of this methodology, with a view to serving as a guide for
comparative values.
COSITU is the ITU software for the Calculation of
BDT/PSF/MEF
Costs, Tariffs and Rates for Telephone Services. This
tool is designed to permit operators, service providers,
regulators and policy-makers to efficiently calculate costoriented or cost-based tariffs, taxes related to trade in
international traffic (accounting, settlement and termination
rates), and interconnection rates for national and
international telephone services, both fixed and mobile.
The new COSITU SP2 version includes, amongst other
improvements, the possibility to estimate sensitivity to
market risk (BETA) in the calculation of capital costs; the
possibility of excluding interurban service in the
determination of the amount of access deficit where
regulatory policies demand (e.g. Venezuela); plus
visibility of intangible assets whose treatment is different
from tangible assets. COSITU’s message system has also
been revised with a view to furnishing practical
recommendations.
The ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication
BDT/PSF/RRU
Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003” explores
how regulatory reform contributes to bridging the digital
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-costtariffs/publications/affordability.html
COSITU Online:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/COSITU/
ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication
Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th
edition”
divide, e.g., by promoting the rise of mobile services and
keeping regulatory barriers to ICT access low.
The ITU organized the GREX Virtual WiFi for Rural
and Public Access conference which explored regulatory
aspects of the use of WiFi technology to achieve rural and
public access.
The Interconnection Regulation part of the ITU publication
Trends In Telecommunication Reform 2000/2001
addresses regulatory and economic aspects of
interconnection. It aims to identify the key issues raised by
interconnection regulation and to provide concrete
examples of how regulators and policy makers around the
globe have addressed these issues.
ITU and CTO jointly developed a three-part Universal
Service model (covering universal access/service policies,
regulations and procedures) in order to help countries
devising appropriate universal access policies and
strategies within two years.
The ITU and UNESCO will establish a computer-training
centre in Ethiopia to assist the blind and visually impaired
community in Ethiopia to gain access to information and
communication technologies (ICTs).
ITU has created a universal access websites giving more
background information about universal access, among
others about Public Access Points (PAPs) (which include
Multipurpose Telecentres (MCTs)).
http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html
BDT/PSF/RRU
http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only)
BDT/PSF/RRU
http://www.itu.int/publications/
docs/trends2000.html
BDT/PSF/RRU
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/treg/Events/Seminars/2002/GSR/documents.html
under “Sunday”, documents 7,8 and 9.
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization:
http://www.cto.int/
CTO/ITU Regulatory workshops:
http://www.cto.int/frame.php?dir=08&sd=30
http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2003/09.ht
ml
ITU universal access website:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/univ_access/
About PAPs:
About MCTs:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/univ_access/telecentres/
Visions on the information society, fostering globally
accessible and affordable ICTs
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/visions/global/index.html
Providing access to ICTs for all
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsisthemes/Access/index.html
C3. Access to information and knowledge
10a) 10d) 10h) 10i)
IsAP Programme 6: Programme for the Least Developed
BDT/FOP/LDC
Countries implemented a number of community telecentres
to enhance information dissemination and general access to
ICTs especially for rural based communities. Also
implemented an emergency telecommunications project
aimed at facilitating access to information when the general
infrastructure is disrupted by disasters. Helped countries
develop the right strategies and policies that lead to
universal access to ICTs applications and services.
BDT/PSF/TND
ISAP Programme 2
Increase awareness and knowledge in regard to Network
Infrastructure and application networks and services
Maintain and expand the BDT website on Network and
Infrastructure.
Post on the BDT WEB site all the information and files
concerning the BDT studies, activities, Seminars and
Workshops related to Technologies and
telecommunication/network development. Encourage the
access to information and activities on Network and
Infrastructure planning via e-meetings for Administration
and Sector Members: finalization of the Network Planning
Manual to be posted the BDT WEB site.
In IsAP Programme 3, ITU is mandated to continue to
BDT/PSF/E-STR
expand the implementation of multipurpose platforms and
multipurpose community telecentres and to introduce IPbased applications and value-added e-services/applications.
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/emergency
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/projects
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/networkinfrastructure/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/imt-2000/licensing.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/internet/
Develop strategies for the implementation of Internet
protocol and e-services in current and future MCTs to
strengthen their viability and expand their use.
Several projects aimed at delivering shared access to ICTs
including societal applications have been implemented in
many countries such as Mauritania, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda.
The Youth Programme created a world wide Network for
« Young Leaders in ICTs ». This Network offers
information on educational opportunities, recruitment, links
and contact information for the administrations and private
sector dealing with telecom. Further ITU's events and
activities are advertised and interactive discussion boards,
where ICT information, educational experiences and ideas
are shared online among the ITU-TELECOM Youth Forum
Alumni members and other interested youth.
ITU’s Youth Programme provides support in the
implementation of a project with students from Tel Aviv
University. The «Digital Bridge», designed to open up the
world of ICTs to young Palestinians and Israelis who
would otherwise have been deprived access to this vital
area of knowledge.
The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues has
developed and implemented several research projects
aimed at providing quantitative and qualitative data to
guide policy and project planning at the national, regional
and international levels. Projects include a case study for
the Asia-Pacific region and a global study documenting
access to and use of ICTs by women and men.
The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues, in
collaboration with the Africa Regional Offices and several
Member-states, have established multipurpose community
public access points, many of them managed by women.
These Centres provide access to various communication
resources. Location decisions are guided by considerations
BDT/DIR/YAG
BDT/DIR/YAG
BDT/DIR/YAG
BDT/DIR/YAG
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/youth/YLinICTs/documents/websiteYLinIct.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
of safety for all, including women.
The database on tariff policies, tariff models and
calculation methods on national telecommunication
services is based on an annual survey of over 120
administrations and network operators around the world.
This database profiles the evolution of tariff policies in
different countries. Taking into account the complexities of
different environments, the results are presented by
teledensity, region and GDP.
The ITU database on Financing Institutions/Private
Sources for financing and investment in
telecommunication development provides detailed
information, including funding conditions, on multilateral
and bilateral agencies, and private and public sources of
funds. In keeping with the role of ITU as a mobilizer of
resources, contact names and direct links are provided to
the financial institutions that provide resources in
developing countries for telecommunication projects or
technical assistance.
Global Database of Scientific Institutions Focusing on
Telecommunications/ICTs
As instructed by Member States, MEF is aiming to
strengthen ITU relationships with the world of science, i.e.
research institutions and institutions of higher education
specializing in telecommunications/ICTs.
In the framework of its activities, MEF intends to create a
global database of scientific institutions, i.e. research
institutes and institutions of higher education, focusing on
telecommunications/ICTs. The new, freely accessible
Internet tool should: increase the visibility of all scientific
institutions on an international level; foster international
collaboration through simplification of the search process
for research project partners; give information on
BDT/PSF/MEF
The tariff policies database:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-costtariffs/sg1/
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/CDS/financialinstitutions/index.asp
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/scientificinstitutions/index.html
institutions offering education programmes focusing on
telecommunications. This database will be available at the
end of the year.
The ITU-D database on operators and service providers in
developing countries (OPERITU) provides not only
general coordinates on operators and ISPs but also
encourage them to complete and update their company
profile regarding the products and applications they market
as well as their key development projects and their need or
offering for development partners to accompany them on
local, regional or international markets
The ITU has been carrying out an annual survey on
Telecommunication Regulation for 10 years. The
information is contained in the Telecom Regulatory
Database. The database contains, inter alia, information on
the legal and regulatory frameworks; the structure,
financing, and functioning of the regulatory authority; the
licensing process; level of competition; and privatization.
On the ITU webpage there are several studies/links in
relation to intellectual property.
BDT/PSF/PPM
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners
BDT/PSF/RRU
To view the survey and extracts from the database in
the form of regulatory profiles, see
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsisthemes/confidence_and_security/intellectual_capital.ht
ml#Intellectual%20Property
Paper “Intellectual capital in the information society”:
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/visions/free/ITUIntCapitalpa
per.pdf
C4. Capacity building
11e) 11f) 11j) 11l) 11m)
The ITU Programme 5 of the Istanbul Action Plan
(WTDC-02), Human Capacity Building Programme,
assisting developing countries to strengthen their human,
institutional and organizational capacity through human
resource management and development, expanding its
reach to include the very policy-makers and regulators that
are at the cutting edge of designing and implementing
policies to increase access and use of ICTs.
ITU organizes regular training courses in ICT-related
BDT/FOP/HRD
subjects addressed to policy makers, regulators, operators
and service providers. Approximately 200 actions are
implemented per year including: face-to-face workshops
and seminars; e-learning and coaching; case studies,
benchmarks, best practices; regional and global meetings
of specialists on ICTs. Subjects range from policy-making
and regulation, to new technologies, including business and
human resources management and development. A variety
of agreements with ITU-D members and academia allow
ITU to provide formal education programmes up to the
Masters level, which use ICTs and e-learning tools for
training.
ITU’s Centres of Excellence Initiative has already
BDT/FOP/HRD
allowed to up-grade the skills of more than 2’500 managers
and decision- makers over the last four years on priority
issues ranging from telecommunications/ICT policy and
regulation, to new technologies, including business and
human resources management and development. The
training resources developed through the project include a
growing number of models and case studies aimed at
supporting the participants in building their own scenario
Human Capacity Building Programme 5 (IsAP):
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog5.pdf
Resolution 42 (Istanbul,2002), Implementation of teleeducation programmes
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res042.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/coe/index.html
and develop solutions tailored to their specific needs and
environment. The resulting network of training providers is
now ready to address new challenges such as the ones that
could result from the forthcoming WSIS. A number of new
programmes are already under discussion with key players
currently involved in the preparation of the WSIS.
BDT/FOP/HRD
The ITU launched the ITC Initiative for Developing
Countries in May 2001, with the aim of providing students
and professionals in developing countries with affordable
and relevant information technology training in Internet
Protocol (IP) networking. Cisco Systems, Inc. joined the
global initiative as a pioneer partner, offering its Cisco
Networking Academy Program.
In Aug 2004, ITCI had established 53 Internet training
Centers worldwide (5 Gender-focused Internet Training
Centers and one women only Centre ) and trained 208
instructors(43 women instructors), who are now running
these centers and delivering the training programmes to
students. A total of 3272 students are presently enrolled in
the programmes with a 28.9% of women participation.
Since 2002 and up to now, 855 students have successfully
graduated from the programmes. All centres established so
far are now operating without any direct support from ITU
or from any other ITCI partner.
By the end of 2004, ITCI aims to introduce the Extended
Curriculum (courses offered by other partners such as
Hewlett Packard and Panduit Ltd) in twenty of the best
performing academies. The ITCI project further aims to
open another 20 Internet Training Centres (ITCs) bringing
the total number of centres to 73 worldwide by the end of
2004.
ITU and key partners Cisco, UNDP and USAID hosted two
Africa Forum targeted for Internet Training Centers in
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/itci/
ITU and gender
http://www.itu.int/gender/
ITU-D working group on gender issues:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
LDCs: Johannesburg 2002 and Dakar 2003.
The Project funded the participation of selected top
students from Internet Training Centers in the Youth
Forum and in the TDS in Telecom Asia 2002 and Telecom
World 2003 as well as the participation of the 5 instructors
of 5 top-performing African Academies to the Cisco
Sustainability Workshop in Uganda, Oct 2004.
Though Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) provide unprecedented opportunities to accelerate
development, connectivity being driven primarily by
market forces gives rise to the concern of “e-exclusion” –
isolated communities in geographically remote areas are
being further marginalized and disadvantaged by not
having access opportunities.
A pilot project, called eCLICs, has been proposed to
establish ICT Community Learning and Information
Centres connected via satellite or other means to the
Internet at rural schools that will in turn serve as hubs for
community development. Through these centres, various
human capacity building initiatives will be extended to the
rural community
This Capacity Building Project aims to maximize its social
impact and increase human as well as institutional capacity
in Least Developed and Developing Countries by targeting
two layers of the Internet population – the end user and the
advanced user. Through a train-the-trainer approach, the
ITU/BDT will provide affordable and relevant training
using both face-to-face workshops and e-learning methods.
The Basic ICT programme aimed at the end user has been
built to impart computer skills that will allow for increased
BDT/FOP/HRD
BDT/FOP/HRD
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/telsurp/7-GLO-03-046.doc
employment opportunities and will be implemented in 5
countries. The Advanced ICT programme is aimed to
teach computer literate users a combination of advanced
skill which will allow for the creation of a new business
and this will be implemented in another 5 countries. This
project is scheduled to be complete by May 2005 and is
being carried out with the funding by the European Union
and the ITU.
ITU e-Learning Center has been established as a global
platform aimed at strengthening human capacities in the
areas of telecommunications and human resource
development. Since 2003, more than 100 online courses
are offered annually in the areas of Telecom Policy,
Technology Awareness, Regulatory Issues, Strategic
Management, e-Services, Spectrum Management and
Network Engineering. Another service provided through
the e-Learning Centre is the setup of e-Communities to
facilitate knowledge sharing among telecom professionals.
In a cost effective manner, the ITU e-Learning Centre
provides a flexible strategy to develop human capital
through the use of Internet to foster skills development and
continuous learning. In order to facilitate the world-wide
access to the online training, an electronic catalogue is
available.
ITU-FUNANDINA Centre for ICT Training provides
training on Internet and e-commerce for students in the
Latin American region. Further training has been provided
to participants from Mecusor states on security and trust
technologies for e-commerce.
E-strategies presented technology strategies and policies to
Centres of Excellence in the Arab Region in Damascus,
Syria to build capacity in the domain of security for eapplications and services.
Programme 1 – Regulatory Reform –
BDT/
FOP/
HRD
ITU e-Learning centre:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/elearning/index.html
www.itu.int/ITU-D/hrd/tc/
BDT/PSF/E-STR
E-strategy unit implementing e-services:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy
ITU-FUNDANDINA Agreement
http://www.fundandina.org/Convenio.htm
BDT/PSF/RRU
see http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/
ITU’s Regulatory Reform Unit has developed a selflearning course on interconnection regulation. The course
materials are designed to provide the basics on
interconnection regulation. The eight modules and a selfadministered test are ideally suited for new regulatory staff
responsible for interconnection issues. The course is
publicly available on the telecommunication regulation
website.
A training workshop on dispute resolution was organized
for European regulators in Geneva in September 2004. The
purpose of the meeting was to build capacity in the area of
dispute resolution in a competitive telecommunication and
ICT environment through the exchange of experiences
among the major stakeholders. Participants were given an
overview of dispute resolution techniques with particular
emphasis on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
techniques. An eight week on-line course on dispute
resolution (based on the ITU/World Bank discussion paper
on dispute resolution) will be run in 2005.
The second meeting of regional regulators associations will
take place in Geneva in December 2004. The theme of that
meeting is capacity building.
In order to ensure that young people are equipped with
knowledge and skills to use ICTs and to participate fully in
the Information Society, including to select and interpret
scientific information, the ITU launched the Youth
Education Scheme. This initiative is for young people in
developing countries who are interested in pursuing careers
as communication policy-makers, business people,
lawyers, or engineers: YES gives them the opportunity to
complete their education in communications-related
specialities.
In accordance with WTDC-02 and Resolution 38 the BDT BDT/DIR/YAG
created the Youth Programme. This Programme has
ITU Youth Education Scheme:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/yes/index.html
ITU Youth Programme: http://www.itu.int/ITUD/youth/
launched capacity building initiatives designed to assist the
youth, including an education scheme and an internship training programme. The Youth Education Scheme aims to
assist young people from developing countries in pursuing
their careers and/or in completing their tertiary education in
the field of communication. Since 2003, 20 young people,
mainly from Africa Region, benefitted from scholarships.
The Youth Incentive Scheme offers the possibility of
achieving experience with the ITU-D’s HQ or Field
Offices as well as with its Sector Members.
Since 2003, 14 young people have participated.
ITU organized a Youth Forum Panel with regional and
BDT/DIR/YAG
international industry executives, educators and civil
society activists. The participants converted this
interaction into an emerging global network «Human
Network». Projects have been presented and planned at the
global level and within local nodes.
The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues, in
BDT/BDT/YAG
collaboration with other programmes within ITU, has
designed a training module for regulators, developed and
implemented capacity trainings for women, and through
various efforts with the Working Group on Gender Issues,
is working to erode barriers to women’s access to ICT
education and training programmes.
The ITU and Alcatel launched a Youth Initiative for
university-age youth who were participating at the ITU
TELECOM Africa 2001: they invited to enter a contest to
propose ways to promote Internet in their country as an
extension to Universal Access. Four students received a
bursary of 5000 Euros or an internship opportunity to work
on their own projects.
As part of the ITU Youth Programme ITU TELECOM
Asia 2002 was organized in order to enable exceptionally
talented university students (men and women) from all the
ITU Youth Education Scheme:http://www.itu.int/ITUD/youth/yes/index.html
ITU Youth Incentive Scheme:http://www.itu.int/ITUD/youth/YouthIncentiveScheme/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/youth/alcatel/bdtalcatel.html
ITU TELECOM Asia 2002
http://www.itu.int/ASIA2002/forum/youth/index.html?
menuItem=7&subMenuItem=-1&tabName=Forum
Asia-Pacific region Member States of the ITU to access the
Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The
combination of their experiences at ITU TELECOM ASIA
2002 and their academic excellence will prepare them to
join a corps of future leaders in the ICT field.
In order to promote understanding in developing countries
of the calculation of costs, tariffs and rates, a special series
of training workshops on the ITU model for the calculation
of costs, tariffs and rates for telephone services, COSITU,
is being held worldwide.
COSITU Training Workshops in 2003 included Arab
countries (Egypt), CEE and CIS countries (Russia), WestAfrican French- speaking countries (Burkina Faso), WestAfrican English- speaking countries (Nigeria), Eastern and
Southern African countries (Mozambique),
Central African French-speaking countries (Democratic
Republic of Congo), Central American countries
(Nicaragua).
COSITU Training Workshops in 2004 include CIS
countries (Azerbaijan), English-speaking Arab countries
(Egypt), Latin American countries (Chile), Frenchspeaking Arab countries (Tunisia), Asia Pacific
(Indonesia), and Caribbean countries (Curacao).
As part of the COSITU programme for 2003-2004 and in
coordination with the Centres of Excellence, regional
capabilities are being enhanced by the “training the
trainers” programme, offered in several different
languages, in order to prepare specialists in the use of
COSITU. At present, specialists have been trained for
Africa, Arab States (English-speaking countries) and CIS
countries.
“Tele-education in the Americas”, jointly published in
2001 by ITU and Comisión Interamericana de
Telecomunicaciones (CITEL).
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/COSITU/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-costtariffs/events/index-results-04.html
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/COSITU/Trainingthe-trainer/index-results.html
BDT/FOP/AM
Tele-education in the America’s:
http://www.citel.oas.org/TeleEducation/Table%20of%20Content.asp
Hosted by the government of Syria, ITU has organized a
regional seminar on e-education in Damascus Syria from
15-17 July 2003. Bringing together key players from the
Arab region, this seminar addressed the challenges to the
use of the Arabic language in ICTs.
The Arab Regional office is conducting a Regulatory
Needs Assessment exercise to determine the needs of the
region and hence develop appropriate training programmes
to fit these needs, allowing regulators and the private sector
to be on the same level of understanding.
IsAP Programme 3: assist developing countries in the
implementation of relevant e-services/applications for
education.
Action: Project: “The Internet For Schools: Leading the
way to sustainable development” seeks to connect schools
to the Internet in Developing Countries in order to provide
better education and training using Information and
Communications Technologies (ICTs) and other skills
central to a globalizing world.
ITU has developed and deployed with partners two projects
in Interactive Distance Training of Primary Teachers in
India and Morocco (of which the latter is to be presented at
one of the WSIS “side events”), mobilizing operators,
users, industrial groups and standard-setting bodies to
ensure interoperability of application systems.
ITU website: Visions on the information society, ICTs
for education and building human capital, gives
background information on the pro’s and con’s of eeducation.
ITU’s ICT Success Stories on digital education website.
ITU/FOP/ARB
ITU/PSF/E-STR
CITEL website:
http://www.citel.oas.org/
http://www.ituarabic.org/E-Education/
BDT/FOP/ARB
BDT/PSF/E-STR
Highlight item Internet at school in Timbouctou:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/estrategy/internet/Seminars/Mali_Internet_at_School/ind
ex-fr.html
The time path:
http://www.jura.ch/lcp/mali/planification.pdf
ITU website: Visions on the information society, ICTs
for education and building human capital
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/visions/education/index.htm
l
ICT Success Stories on digital education:
IsAP Programme 6: Programme for the Least
Developed Countries being a programme that seeks to
integrate the group of countries that remains marginalized
in the world economy continued to support institutional
strengthening initiatives, training through workshops and
conferences for the LDCs. This issue was also addressed
through research papers and publications by this
programme. Combined initiatives were undertaken with
sister programmes to reinforce human development
initiatives.
BDT/FOP/LDC
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsisthemes/ict_stories/DigitalEducation.html
LDC Unit
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/publications
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/events
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/projects
C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs
12d) 12e) 12f) 12e) 12f) 12g) 12j)
Two out of the six priority domains of IsAP Programme
are aimed at addressing Security and e-legislation. ITU
has been mandated to:
Enhance security and build confidence in the use of public
networks for e-services/applications.
Provide assistance to Member States in developing laws
and model legislation for e-services/applications,
prevention of cyber crime, security, ethical issues and data
privacy.
Actions:
Assistance has been provided at national and regional
levels in the elaboration of appropriate legislative
framework for building trust and confidence in ICTs
Countries such as Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Cape Verde,
ASETA Member States (Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador,
Mongolia, Peru and Venezuela), Tanzania have benefited
from ITU assistance in the elaboration of e-legislation.
Projects using advanced security and trust technologies
based on Public Key Infrastructure (including biometric
authentication, smart cards and digital signatures) have
been deployed and operational in countries from various
ITU regions such as Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cote
d’Ivoire, Cambodia, Georgia, Peru, Jamaica, Senegal,
Paraguay and Turkey.
A Workshop was organized for 128 countries to share
information and best practices in security and trust
technologies and policies. Several national workshops and
BDT/PSF/E-STR
IsAP Programme 3:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf
E-strategy:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy
E-legislation:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/e-legislation/
World e-Trust Memorandum of Understanding:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/estrategy/MoU/world_e.html
seminars addressing technology strategies for e-security
have been organized in a number of countries (e.g.,
Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Chile, Mongolia, Pakistan,
Paraguay and Uzbekistan.
To address global issues in relation to e-security, ITU
initiated a multilateral and self-regulatory framework
called World e-Trust Memorandum of Understanding.
Governments, private sector and companies representing
35 ITU Member States are signatories of the World e-Trust
MoU.
The 2003 Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR)
BDT/PSF/RRU
recommended that BDT launch a discussion on
frameworks for international cooperation on countering
Spam. A virtual conference was held in March 2004 with a
group of regulators to discuss co-operative action. The
2004 regulatory survey included some new questions on
spam, in order to identify the authority responsible for
combating spam, and determine which countries had
developed anti-spam legislation. A break-out session will
be held during the 2004 GSR on spam, to continue
discussions on international cooperation.
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/treg/Events/Seminars/Virtualevents/Spam/index.html
C6. Enabling environment
13a) 13b) 13b-i) 13b-ii) 13c) 13d) 13f) 13i) 13k) 13l) 13m) 13p) 13q) 13r)
The overall objective of IsAP Programme 1 on Regulatory BDT/PSF/RRU
Reform is “to create a trustworthy, transparent, and nondiscriminatory legal, regulatory and policy environment
capable of promoting technological innovation and
competition”.
There are many actions both already underway and planned
to fulfil this objective.
-The preparation of reports
(Annual Trends Publication)
- ITU/CITEL Telecommunication Policies for the Americas
Region
Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2004/05 – Licensing
in an era of convergence, 6th edition
“Trends in Telecommunication Reform - practical tools for
regulators 2003, 5th edition”
http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/treg/Events/Seminars/2002/GSR/documents.html
under “Sunday”, documents 7, 8 and 9.
-Development of model legislation (ITU and CTO jointly
developed a three-part Universal Service model (covering
universal access/service policies, regulations and
procedures) in order to help countries devising appropriate
universal access policies and strategies within two years.)
-Conducting of case studies, including those identifying
best practices for effective regulators. 2004 case studies on
licensing in an era of convergence
A “handbook on good practices and success stories”: the
Global Regulators Exchange (G-REX), a passwordprotected website for national regulatory authorities and
policy makers, has been very successful in facilitating an
exchange of best regulatory practices through its hotline
and online conferences. Regulators and policy makers
have shared information on their challenges and success
stories. G-REX conferences to be launched this year aim
to identify best practices in addressing specific regulatory
challenges.
IsAP Programme 1:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog1.pdf
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation:
http://www.cto.int/
CTO/ITU Regulatory workshops
(Introduction to Regulation, Strategies for Access
Development, Licensing, Interconnection,
Competition Policy, Pricing and Tariffs):
http://www.cto.int/frame.php?dir=08&sd=30
BDT/PSF/RRU
http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only)
The ITU has performed a case study, Feedback to
BDT/PSF/RRU
Regulators from Consumers 2002, which focuses on how
regulators can act to ensure consumer protection and
include consumers in the regulatory process.
The ITU, together with the World Bank, carried out a joint
study on the settlement of national disputes with an
emphasis on consensus building and alternative dispute
resolution. This study had now been turned into an on-line
training course that will be offered in 2005.
Environment Information Circulation and Monitoring
BDT/PSF/TND
System on the Internet Programme for Africa (SISEI):
The SISEI is a capacity building programme (BDT and
UNITAR collaboration) on the applications of information
technologies for the establishment of Environment
Information Systems on the Internet. The SISEI
Programme is a contribution to answer information needs
of the environmental component of NEPAD. The goal of
the SISEI initiative is to assist countries and sub regions
generating adequate institutional framework, and to build
the capacity of countries and regional organizations to
implement systems for the validation, circulation and
harnessing of relevant environmental information, with a
view to strengthening the participative approach at the
different decision-making and operational levels and
thereby promoting enlightened decision-making. 10
country projects are supported in the framework of the
Telecom Surplus Funds over a period of 3 years (20032005).
http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/03/consumers.ht
ml
The “Blue Book on Telecommunication Policies in the
Americas (update)” is to be jointly published by ITU and
CITEL. This 3rd edition of the Americas Blue Book is
aimed at enhancing the development of ICTs throughout
http://www.citel.oas.org/publications.asp#Blue%20Boo
k:%20Telecommunication%20Polices%20for%20the%
20Americas%20Region
BDT/FOP/AM
Full text of the report is available here,
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/Case_Studies/DispResolution/ITU_WB_Dispute_Res-E.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/innovativeapplications/index.html
the region. The report will focus on regulatory challenges
in light of convergence, the connectivity agenda and
strategies for promoting an information society in the
Americas Region.
In the framework of the project Economic and Financial
Aspects of Enabling a Policy, Legal, Regulatory and
Operational Environment in Asia and Pacific, a workshop
on the ITU model COSITU was implemented, in order to
discuss relevant aspects such as service costs to clients;
Universal Service policy; tariff rebalancing;
interconnection; termination charges; tariff regulation,
client segmentation, mobile prepaid communications,
roaming, VoIP, Internet, etc.
As part of the Regional Project on Connectivity for Latin
American countries, a study on the regional assessment of
the telecommunication market has been developed. The
objective of this study is to assist and provide the countries
of the region with the mechanisms and tools they need in
order to facilitate, whenever necessary, the respective
assessment, design, implementation, evaluation and
integration of the national Agendas of Connectivity, as well
as of the relevant programmes related to the use of
information and communication technologies.
The ITU-D Study Group 2
Resolution 9 (Rev. Istanbul, 2002)
deals with the participation of countries, especially
developing countries, in spectrum management.
ITU WTDC-98 Resolution 9 demanded for a review of
national spectrum management and use of the
spectrum. Stage 1:29.7-960 MHz.
Stage 2: 960 MHz-3 GHz is now being studied.
a) PP02 Resolution 102 – Management of Internet
domain names and addresses. Organize international
and regional forums to discuss policy, operational and
BDT/PSF/MEF
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/
BDT/IOS/STG
Resolution 9 (Rev. Istanbul, 2002):
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/pdf/B406021-2_004-en.doc
ITU-D/ITU-R
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_19982002/JGRES09/Res9_Index.html
BDT/PSF/E-STR
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/internet
technical issues on the Internet in general and the
management of Internet domain names and addresses in
particular.
b) Council 2003 Resolution to develop IP Policy Manual.
c) IsAP Programme 3: advise Member States in
formulating relevant national and regional strategies
and policies for the use of Internet.
Actions: regional seminars to address policy issues for
Internet domain names and Addresses have been organized
for Africa and Europe leading to the Kigali and Moscow
Declarations respectively. Other Seminars were also
organized such as: Sub-regional seminar on Internet and IP
telephony, Guatemala, (2002).
Assistance has been provided to countries and regions on
national and regional IP policies e.g. Development of
national ICT Policy For the Congo Republic (2003),
National ICT Policy For Cameroon (2004).
The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues is
BDT/BDT/YAG
collaborating with a regional regulatory authority to
formulate a regional ICT policy that aims to facilitate
entrepreneurship, innovation and investment and is targeted
to women and the disadvantaged.
Updated “The Arab Book” which deals with telecom
BDT/FOP/ARB
policies in the region and made it available on the website
The ITU has helped in the creation of the Arab
BDT/FOP/ARB
Telecommunications Regulators Network to allow the
cross fertilisation of experiences and ideas.
IsaP Programme 6: Programme for the Least
Developed Countries having as one of its key priority
areas, the restructuring of the telecom sector embarked on a
number of initiatives aimed at fulfilling this role.
Assistance to LDCs was aimed at continuing the process of
sector restructuring, too bring about liberalization and
Kigali Declaration:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/estrategy/internet/Seminars/Rwanda/documents/kigalideclaration%20E.pdf
Moscow Declaration:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/estrategy/internet/Seminars/Moscow/Docs/moscowdeclaration-rev%20eng.pdf
Dubai Declaration (Coming soon)
E-government and IP Symposium for the Arab Region,
Dubai (UAE), 22-25 November 2004
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
http://www.ituarabic.org/arabbook/index.htm
http://www.ituarabic.org/ARN/index.htm
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/special-needs
competition as well as privatization where necessary. All
this was targeted at inducing faster network growth and
better management of the sector such that countries would
derive higher benefits from it. Assistance was provided to
new regulators especially to those in countries emerging
out of war otherwise referred to as Countries in Special
Need such as Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Sierra Leone, etc.
C7. ICT Applications: benefits in all aspects of life
14. 15.a) 16a) 16b) 18a) 18b) 18e) 18f) 19c) 20a) 21a) 21b)
E-government
IsAP Programme 3:
BDT/PSF/E-STR
a) Harness the potentials of ICTs, so as to contribute to
reducing the social divide and improving quality of
life, good governance, better access to health
services, distance learning and universal access.
b) Assist developing countries in the implementation of
relevant e-services/applications for the health,
government services, education, agriculture, business
and commercial sectors. Access to the information
society should be one of the main goals of
Programme 3.
c) Promote e-services/applications (e.g., e-government,
e-commerce, e-agriculture, e-health, e-learning) in
developing countries.
d) WTDC02 Recommendation 7 – Role of
telecommunication and information technologies in
the protection of the environment.
Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf
Actions: several projects and initiatives in e-education, ehealth, e-agriculture, e-government, e-learning and e-
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy
business have been successfully implemented in countries
from all regions of the world.
Several workshops and seminars have been organized by
the ITU to address national, sub-regional and regional
technology policy issues and strategies for e-government
and other e-applications in various regions of the world
including Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Bhutan, Azerbaijan,
Pakistan, Egypt, Tunisia.
A regional workshop for the Arab Region is planned for
November 2004 in United Arab Emirates with the
objective of facilitating the elaboration of a regional egovernment policy with focus on the technology aspects.
BDT/PSF/E-STR
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy
E-business
For more than 5 years, ITU has been providing technical
BDT/PSF/E-STR
assistance in the implementation of e-business project for
developing countries. As part of its Electronic Commerce
for Developing Countries (EC-DC), e-business projects
have been implemented in Africa, Asia, Latin America and
Arab Region. Five regional seminars on e-business have
been organized to address regional technology policy
issues and strategies for e-business. ITU also provides
direct assistance to developing countries in e-business
technology policies and strategies. E-business projects have
been recently launched in Seychelles and Cameroon.
ITU-D Study Group 2 (Question 17/2) studies the
BDT/IOS/STG
progress on ITU activities for e-commerce.
Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf
E-strategy unit:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/
ITU Electronic Commerce for Developing Countries
website:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/ecdc/
Definition of Question 17/2:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST17E.doc
E-learning: see IV Capacity building
E-health
The ITU is contributing to the development of innovative
BDT/PSF/E-STR
Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications:
solutions and options for providing health services to
underserved areas and the development of institutional
partnerships.
ITU's e-health activities include the implementation of
telemedicine projects in several countries including
Mozambique, Malta, Nicaragua, Georgia, Myanmar,
Senegal, Bhutan, Uganda and Ukraine. There are ongoing
projects for several countries such as Cameroon, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Haiti, Rwanda, Venezuela, Sudan, Mauritania,
Bulgaria, Zimbabwe and Guinea. Requests for assistance
from Lebanon, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Latvia are in
consideration for future partnership action by ITU.
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf
WTDC02 mResolution 41 (Istanbul,2002) on E-health
(including telehealth/telemedicine)
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section4/Resolutions/Res041.pdf
E-strategy unit:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/
ITU and the government of Turkey are currently
undertaking a multi-million US$ national e-health project
aimed at improving healthcare services by developing a
Highly Secure National Health Information Platform that
enables healthcare providers (primary and secondary
healthcare), health professionals’ and citizen’s easy and
safe access to health related information and services by
using latest Information and Communication Technologies.
Development of primary healthcare information systems
supporting family doctors system, implementation of
electronic health records and development of interoperable
systems between healthcare service providers including
primary healthcare centres, hospitals and public private
insurance agencies are some of the deliverables of this
project.
ITU also provides assistance in elaborating national and
regional ICT strategies that can enhance health services
in developing countries.
To address common issues related to enhancing health
through ICTs, ITU will be organizing for the third time a
BDT/PSF/E-STR
World Telemedicine Symposium for Developing
Countries in November 2005 in Tunis, Tunisia, just before
the WSIS. The expected outcome of this event and the
purpose is to bring together health and telecommunication
officials from all regions of the world to identify key areas
in the health sector where ICTs can benefits to the
population. It aims at addressing and assessing various
technological options to deal with the urgent concerns of
developing countries in the health and medical domains.
ITU also continues its collaboration with WHO and
European Space Agency as part of the Telemedicine
Alliance (TMA) Bridge to elaborate a roadmap and
strategy for the implementation of e-health projects.
The ITU-D Study Group 2 (Question 14-1/2) studies the
application of telecommunications in health care.
The study “Telemedicine in the Americas”, jointly
published by ITU and Comisión Interamericana de
Telecomunicaciones (CITEL) in 2003.
ITU contributes (together with the satellite consortium
Inmarsat) to the establishment of an ICT-based e-health
network to provide medical assistance following
humanitarian disaster and emergencies, by launching the
ITU Partnership to Provide Satellite Services for Disaster
Management.
ICT Success Stories on E-health website.
BDT/IOS/STG
Definition of Question 14-1/2:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_20022006/SG2/StudyQuestions/QuestionsDefinitions/DEFQ
UEST14-1E.doc
BDT/FOP/AM
BDT/PSF/E-STR
CITEL website:
http://www.citel.oas.org/
Press release:
http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2003/01.ht
ml
ICT Success Stories on E-health:
http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsisthemes/ict_stories/ehealth.html
E-employment
Under programme 3 of the Istanbul Action Plan (WTDC02), dealing with E-strategies and e-
BDT/PSF/E-STR
Programme 3 E-strategies and e-services/applications:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC-
services/applications, the ITU – together with ASAFE and
other partners - has started an e-employment (ecompetence) project for women and youth in Cameroon
(with possible replication in Democratic Republic of
Congo, Chad, Guinea, Tunisia and Rwanda). The objective
is to produce, support and service a sufficient number of
women with the knowledge and skill profile that is needed
to lead to the move to e-competence and capability in the
region.
E-environment
For the implementation of WTDC-02 Recommendation 7 BDT/PSF/E-STR
(Role of telecommunications and information technologies
in the protection of the environment) ITU plays an
important role in the promotion of activities aimed at
reducing the environmental effects of telecommunications
and ICTs, working with industry partners within the
framework of the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI).
A regional seminar for the Arab Region was organized in
October 2004 to address issues related to the role of ICTs
in the protection of man and the environment. As one of
the supporting UN organizations in GeSI, a workshop was
organized with the participation of telecommunication
operators and manufacturers to address the impact of
telecommunications and ICTs on climate change. ITU is
also participating in the work of the UN Environmental
Management Group to coordinate UN-wide activities in
this domain.
The ITU also participates, in association with UNITAR and
the Observatory for the Sahel and the Sahara (OSS), in the
Programme for an Information System on Desertification
(ISD) – Environmental Information Circulation and
Monitoring System on the Internet (EISI) in Africa. The
programme (aiming to: develop information heritage
02FinalReport/Section2/Prog3.pdf
E-strategy unit:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/
ASAFE
http://www.asafe.org
WTDC-02 Recommendation 7
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategies/
ITU GeSI website:
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/projects/environment/GeSI.html
GeSI website:
http://www.gesi.org
ITU EISI website:
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/projects/environment/unitar.html
EISI website:
http://www.unitar.org/sidsisei/
relating to the environment, improving access to and
exchange of environmental information, creating synergies
and coordinating environmental operators) is now in its
second phase of implementation.
In implementing WTDC02 Recommendation 7, ITU as a
BDT/PSF/E-STR
one of the supporting organizations in the Global eSustainability Initiative (GeSI), is working with industry
partners to address the environmental impact of
telecommunications and ICTs. E-waste: while the
telecommunications industry tends to be relatively clean,
like many other industries, it consumes vast amounts of
energy, generates waste and affects the physical
environment in various ways. Responding to this challenge,
GeSI encourages corporate environmental monitoring and
the sharing of best practices such as reducing and recycling
of waste, saving energy and developing products "designed
for the environment."
E-agriculture
Under IsAP Programme 3 dealing with E-strategies and
e-services/applications, the ITU has implemented
solutions to promote self-sustainable e-agriculture by
assisting developing countries in the implementation: an Eagriculture project in the Tokmok-Tchuyski region
(Madaniyat village) of Kyrgyzstan is now operational and
was demonstrated during WSIS.
E-science
BDT/PSF/E-STR
ITU GeSI website:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/
http://www.itu.int/ITUD/projects/environment/GeSI.html
GeSI website:
http://www.gesi.org
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/
E-agriculture project Kyrgyzstan:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy/eapplications/Kyrgyz/index.html
The ITU has not yet developed initiatives in e-science but
has showed the intention to take initiatives in this field.
Under programme 3 of the Istanbul Action Plan (WTDC02), dealing with E-strategies and eservices/applications, the ITU will promote selfsustainable e-science by assisting developing countries in
the implementation.
BDT/PSF/E-STR
E-science and technological research are key drivers for
both social and technological development according to the
contributions of Romania, Spain, CERN, UNESCO, ICSU
(with TWAS, ICTP) to the WSIS preparatory phase.
C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
The ITU addresses the special needs of indigenous people
by having launched, at the WTDC in Istanbul, a special
initiative (as part of the Istanbul Action Plan) aimed at
creating among indigenous people awareness of the
benefits of telecommunications.
In light of the WTDC 02 decision to promote the
participation of indigenous people in e-strategies and eservices/applications, the BDT Youth Programme in
collaboration with the Africa and E strategy Units have
launched a project to develop a software in the Swahili
language.
BDT/PSF/E-STR
BDT/DIR/YAG
ITU published “Trends in Telecommunication Reformpractical tools for regulators 2003” which focuses on
need for rural telecentres to provide content of relevance to
local community and the need of local participation in
telecentre projects.
BDT/PSF/RRU
ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication
Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th
edition”
http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html
C9. Media
24 e)
The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues works
through print and digital media to promote balanced
representations of women and their realities.
BDT/DIR/YAG
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
BDT/PSF/E-STR
E-strategy unit:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/e-strategy
BDT/DIR/YAG
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
C11. International and regional cooperation
26a) 26b) 26c)
Global Project: Strengthening African Capacity for CostEffective Access to the Internet. The project will contribute
towards the building of strong Internet infrastructure
backbone in Africa. The overall aim is to provide
affordable Internet access and connectivity through the
implementation of national and regional Internet exchange
points. Overall, the project will benefit all the regions of
the developing world. While Africa’s improved Internet
connectivity will be the main focus, other regions will
benefit in the process by drawing lessons from the African
situation for further improving their own connectivity.
Project sites are: Africa (Sub-Saharan); Asia (China, India,
Malaysia, Singapore); South America (Brazil, Chile,
Mexico); and Arab States (United Arab Emirates, Egypt)
The Special Initiative on Gender Issues is working in
cooperation with other inter governmental bodies and
United Nations agencies to promote the access to, and use
of, telecommunications in times of disasters and during
peace times.
The ITU contributes to closer international cooperation
among all the various actors by launching the Global
Digital Compact, a new pattern for partnership and
interaction between governments and NGOs, in which
governments create a stimulating regulatory environment.
This is a model that could start from the institutional
relationships already existing in ITU, with ITU as a
coordinator. Currently the model is further elaborated by
the ITU.
ITU-D also facilitates closer and stronger international
cooperation through the newly created Regional Working
Parties( RWP) on private sector issues which gather both
public and private sector representatives on issues and
obstacles that prevent faster and broader ICT development.
The RWPs are also encouraged to focus on some strategic
Regional/sub-regional ICT projects which could have a
significant impact on the populations they serve. In
addition to residential fora in the regions, ITU has
organized electronic discussion forum to facilitate and
increase the participation of various market players in what
it is considered a permanent dialogue with multistakeholders.
An international, multi-stakeholder “Partnership on
Measuring ICT for Development” was launched in June
2004. Partners include the ITU, the OECD, UNCTAD,
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the UN Regional
Commissions (UNECLAC, UNESCWA, UNESCAP,
UNECA), the UN ICT Task Force and the World Bank as
well as NSOs from advanced countries. The Partnership
aims to accommodate and develop further the different
initiatives regarding the availability and measurement of
BDT/PSF/RRU
BDT/PSF/PPM
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/partners
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/partnership/index.html
ICT indicators at the regional and international levels.
IsAP Programme 6: Programme for the Least
Developed Countries:
 Initiated the programme on deployment of
Emergency Telecommunications to developing
countries struck by disasters
 Enhancing affordable Internet Connectivity for
least developed and developing countries drawing
lessons of other regions in the Southern
hemisphere
 Global E-Learning Initiative with Inmarsat
 Sector Reform Project for Countries in Special
Need
BDT/FOP/LDC
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-costtariffs/publications/
D. Digital Solidarity Agenda
27.D2.a) 27.D2.f)
In the framework of the initiative for financing
telecommunication development, the Report "Investing in
Telecommunications and ICTs in Developing Markets:
Shifting the Paradigm", was prepared by ITU. This report
is based on economic analysis, highlighting opportunities
offered by ICT services in low income economies and
identifies relevant support projects in developing countries.
It is aimed at the public and private sector and equity
investors, and focuses on:
- the social and economic environment and the limits it
imposes;
- trends of market potential;
- investment climate;
- risk factors and how to limit them;
- real profit opportunities and business models and methods
of attracting private investments.
The ITU publication, Trends in Telecommunication
Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003: promoting
Universal Access to ICTs, Practical Tools for Regulators,
explores universal access market opportunities and
sustainable development projects that receive jump-start
financing from universal service funds.
ITU Programme 4 of the Istanbul Action Plan (WTDC-02),
Economics and Finance including Costs and Tariffs,
assists developing countries to prepare themselves in a
competitive environment where the focus has shifted from
state funding of infrastructure and services to private sector
investment, developing guidelines on economic analysis,
financing policies and strategies that encourage lower costs
for end-users.
Pricing of telecommunication services based on IP
networks: the objective of this ITU study is to illustrate to
regulators, operators and service providers an economic
model indicating how to create profits using IP-based
networks as a vehicle for real time telecommunication
services.
E. Follow-up and Evaluation
28a) 28b) 28c) 28d) 28e) 28f)
ITU launched a composite ICT
Development index known as the
Digital Access Index (DAI), in the 2003
edition of the World Telecommunication
Development Report (WTDR) (focusing
on measurement of the information
society) which was published in
December 2003 in time for the WSIS
Statistical Side Event.
BDT/PSF/MEF
BDT/PSF/RRU
BDT/PSF/MEF
BDT/PSF/MEF
ITU publication “Trends in Telecommunication
Reform - practical tools for regulators 2003, 5th
edition”
http://www.itu.int/publications/docs/trends2003.html
Programme 4 of IsAP:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/isap/WTDC02FinalReport/Section2/Prog4.pdf
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/finance/work-costtariffs/publications/ip-finalreport-en.pdf
World Telecommunication Development Report 2003: Access Indicators for the
Information Society
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/wtdr_03/index.html
The Internet Case Studies and regional
BDT/PSF/MEF
and global development reports have
proposed recommendations, offered best
practice examples, et cetera. The case
studies provide an analysis of modern day
issues in telecommunications/ICT — and
how they have been addressed in
individual countries. The goals are to
raise awareness among government
officials, regulators and industry players
in developing countries and to provide
policy-makers and other players with indepth substantive information.
Since 2002, ITU has been compiling and
BDT/PSF/MEF
publishing ICT success stories, which
highlight the successful application of
ICTs in different sectors of the economy
and society, and in narrowing gender
disparities.
The ITU has been closely working with
BDT/PSF/MEF
the United Nations and other
organizations on the development of
appropriate indicators in relation to
tracking the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). Specifically, within Goal
8, “Develop a global partnership for
development”, the ITU is lead agency for
Target 18 “In cooperation with the
private sector, make available the
benefits of new technologies, especially
information and communications.” The
ITU compiles and provides the three
indicators used to track Target 18 and
contributes to the UN Secretary-General’s
Online at: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/cs/
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/cs/letters/letters.html
Millennium Development Goals:
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
MDGs statistics:
http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/mi/mi_goals.asp
Telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population
http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/mi/mi_indicator_xrxx.asp?ind_code=47
Personal computers in use per 100 population (ITU) and Internet users per 100
population
http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/mi/mi_indicator_xrxx.asp?ind_code=48
annual report on the MDGs.
The eight edition of ITU’s World
BDT/PSF/MEF
Telecommunication Indicators (WTI)
database was released on the 19th of
October 2004. The database contains time
series data for the years 1960, 1965, 1970
and annually from 1975-2003 for around
80 sets of telecommunication statistics
covering telephone network size and
dimension, mobile services, quality of
service, traffic, staff, tariffs, revenue and
investment. Selected demographic,
macro-economic, broadcasting and
information technology statistics are also
included. Data for over 200 economies
are available. Notes explaining data
exceptions are also included.
ITU’s Yearbook of Statistics (1993BDT/PSF/MEF
2002) contains the statistical data that
have been collected and processed by the
Telecommunication Development Bureau
(BDT) from replies received to ITU
questionnaires sent to telecommunication
ministries, regulators and operating
companies. As such, the ITU statistical
yearbook provides the most authoritative
source of data about the evolution of the
public telecommunications sector
available anywhere. Country tables
highlighting ten-year of data are available
in the30th edition that was recently
released.
A statistical workshop, Monitoring the
BDT/PSF/MEF
Information Society: Data,
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/world/world.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/yb/index.html
Monitoring the information society:
http://www.unece.org/stats/documents/2003.12.wsis.htm
Measurement and Methods (Geneva, 89 December 2003) was organized by ITU
and UNECE, UNCTAD, UNESCO Inst.
of Statistics, OECD and Eurostat
in conjunction with the WSIS.
Global Indicators workshop on community access to ICTs:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/mexico04/index.html
Other ITU conferences related to statistics:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/conferences/
ITU and the Mexican Ministry of
Transport and Communications jointly
organized the Global Indicators
workshop on community access to
ICTs, which took place in Mexico City,
16 to 19 November 2004.
The Regional Workshop on ICT
Indicators in Gaborone, Botswana from
26 to 29 October 2004. The workshop
was hosted by Botswana
Telecommunications Authority (BTA) and
was organized jointly by BDT as part of
its regional telecommunication/ICT
statistical capacity building exercise and
by the UN Economic Commissions for
Africa (UNECA) as one of the key
activities highlighted in the Partnership
for Measuring ICT for Development. The
workshop highlighted discussions on core
set of telecom/ICT indicators to collect;
data collection, storage and dissemination
methodologies; and identified barriers to
data collection and dissemination.
ITU has published two regional reports:
Asia-Pacific Telecommunication
Indicators 2004;
African Telecommunication Indicators
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/botswana04/index.html
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/asia/2004/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/publications/africa/2004/index.html
2004. The regional reports highlight the
overview of the region’s
telecommunication sector and look at
regulatory and policy developments. They
also contain statistical tables for year
2003 covering areas such as fixed
telephone, mobile, Internet and
broadcasting data.
Under the umbrella of the "Partnership
on Measuring ICT for Development", the
ITU together with partner agencies will
organize a global meeting in Geneva on
February 7-9, 2005. The main goal of the
meeting is to consolidate the outcomes of
regional workshops on information
society indicators that were held in the
4th quarter of 2004, and agree on a final
list of core ICT indicators to be collected
by all countries, including on basic access
and usage by households and individuals,
businesses and schools. It will also
discuss developing country technical
assistance needs as regards the
compilation of ICT indicators, identify
ICT indicators relevant to achieving the
MDGs, and present ongoing work
concerning the creation and maintenance
of an international database on ICT
indicators. The outcome of the meeting
will provide concrete suggestions on how
to measure information society
developments, as an input to the second
phase of WSIS and its follow-up.
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/partnership/index.html
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/conferences/
The World Telecommunication Indicators
meeting (WTIM) will also be held on
February 10-11, 2005 and will
specifically discuss ITU’s data collection
and dissemination activities.
As a follow-up to the Macroeconomic
Study, ITU is in the process of having
five low teledensity country case studies
on financing telecommunication
development prepared: (Bolivia,
Cameroon, Viet Nam, Albania and Chad),
for the purpose of identifying and
evaluating real needs, proposing projects
or initiatives, and identifying conditions
for creating partnerships with interested
organizations. The participation of
different players, such as the private
sector, equity investors, financial
institutions, national and multinational
organizations, regulators, operators and
service providers is being encouraged
according to countries’ expectations and
the establishment of mutual commitments
ITU maintains a “ICT - Free Statistics
home page”.
Indicators for monitoring performance
are an on-going part of the work.
A number of ITU/BDT/MEF studies
and reports have proposed targets and
benchmarks for ICT over the years in line
with those mentioned in the WSIS draft
Action Plan.
BDT/PSF/MEF
BDT/PSF/MEF
BDT/PSF/MEF
BDT/PSF/MEF
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/
Information sharing website:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/bdtint/information_sharing.html
A “handbook on good practices and
BDT/PSF/RRU
success stories”: the Global Regulators
Exchange (G-REX), a passwordprotected website for national regulatory
authorities and policy makers, has been
very successful in facilitating an
exchange of best regulatory practices
through its hotline and online
conferences. Regulators and policy
makers have shared information on their
challenges and success stories. G-REX
conferences to be launched this year aim
to identify best practices in addressing
specific regulatory challenges.
The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender
BDT/DIR/YAG
Issues is collaborating with ORBICOM to
develop appropriate indicators that will
enable a more complete understanding of
the digital divide. Data, disaggregated
according to sex will also be collected,
analysed and updated as appropriate.
F. Towards WSIS phase 2 (Tunis)
29a) 29b) 29a) 29b)
Data collected in the annual regulatory
survey could assist in the assessment of
universal accessibility to ICTs.
BDT/PSF/
RRU
http://forum.itu.int/~grex (password only)
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/
Annual regulatory survey:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/Events/Survey/survey.asp
IsaP Programme 6: Programme for the Least Developed
BDT/FOP/LDC
Countries being targeted at assisting as many countries as
possible within the shortest possible time but with measured
impact, intends to cover 12 more countries in 2005 that will
benefit from five main priority areas as defined by the
Istanbul Action Plan Programme 6:
 Development of rural telecommunications
 Development of infrastructure and introduction of
new technologies and services
 Sector restructuring
 Human resources development/management
 Financing and Partnership Building
The target will be to build successes towards the attainment
of the targets set by the Geneva phase of the WSIS and be
able to effectively carry out an impact assessment by WSIS
phase 2. Also, the objective is to have the majority of the
LDCs to achieve the goals set by the Brussels Plan of Action
adopted by the Third United Nations Conference for the
LDCs that stipulate that: This group of countries should
target to increase their average telephone density to 5 main
lines per 100 inhabitants and the number of Internet
connections to 10 users per 100 inhabitants by 2010.
The ITU’s Special Initiative on Gender Issues will publish
BDT/DIR/YAG
and make available the findings and analysis of sexdisaggregated data on access to, and use of, ICTs.
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc/priority_areas
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ldc
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/gender/