ITU FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF
DECISIONS OF WTSA-08
(Accra, Ghana, 16-17 June 2009)
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE:
EFFORTS OF GHANA
Isaac Boateng
Assistant Manager,
Regulatory Administration,
National Communications Authority
International
Telecommunication
Union
Accra, Ghana, 16-17 June 2009

1.
Background
2.
African positions Vs the WTSA-
08 outcomes
3.
The Standardization Gap
4.
Efforts Of Ghana
5.
Way forward
Accra, Ghana, 16-17 June 2009
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Telecommunication
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1. Background
Plenipotentiary (PP-06) Resolution 123 recognized “the continued shortage of human resources in the standardization field of developing countries, resulting in a low level of developing country participation in ITU-T and ITU-R meetings and, consequently, in the standards-making process, leading to difficulties when interpreting ITU-T and
ITU-R Recommendations."
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Background Contd.
This adversely affects the ability of
Developing Countries to access, implement, contribute and influence international ICT standards.
The WTSA-08 adopted Resolutions
44, 54, 59, 71, 72, 76, aimed at bridging the standardization gap.
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Background Contd.
Other relevant Resolutions that pp 06 addressed:
Resolution 25 (Strengthening the regional
presence)
Resolution 137 (Next-generation network
deployment in developing countries)
Resolution 143 (Extending the provisions in ITU documents relating to developing countries to
apply to countries with economies in transition)
Resolution 139 (Telecommunications/information and communication technologies to bridge the
digital divide)
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2. African positions Vs WTSA-08 outcomes
Item
AFCP1
African common proposals
Resolution 72 - Measurement concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields
AFCP2
AFCP3
AFCP4
AFCP7
AFCP10
AFCP12
Resolution 59: Enhancing participation of telecommunication operators from developing countries
Resolution 58 - Encourage the creation of national Computer Incident
Response Teams, particularly for developing countries
ITU Type Approval of telecommunication equipment. Merged into
Resolution 76 - Studies related to conformance and interoperability testing, assistance to developing countries, and a possible future ITU mark
Resolution 17 - Telecommunication standardization in relation to the interests of developing countries
Resolution 44 - Bridging the standardization gap between developing and developed countries
R esolution 54 - Creation of regional groups
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3. The Standardization Gap
The ICT gap between the developing and developed countries continues to widen.
The average price of broadband internet connection in Africa is about ten times higher than in developed Countries.
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Download
Speed
256kbps
768 Kbps
1 Mbps
1.5 Mbps
3 Mbps
Verizon
--
--
$19.99
--
$29.99
AT & T
--
$19.95
--
$25.00
$30.00
Comcast
--
--
--
--
--
Virgin
Media
--
--
--
--
--
Internet
Ghana
$55.00
--
--
--
--
Vodafone
Ghana
$44.50
--
--
--
$400.00
From above, it can be seen that whereas Ghanaians pay
$44.00 for 256kbps, Americans pay $30.00 for a 3Mbps.
If we should extrapolate for the same 3Mbps Ghanaians will pay $400.00
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The Standardization Gap Contd.
African countries are not familiar with the recommendation/standards published by the ITU-T
We don’t know the extent to which the existing recommendations are relevant and useful to our countries.
It becomes difficult when implementing the recommendations
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The Consequence
Lack of adequate ICT infrastructure
Lack of testing centers, facilities and trained professionals
Lack of participation and contributions to the standardization making processes (study groups)
Lack of national or regional laws and regulations
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4. Efforts Of Ghana
Use of ITU Recommendations:
The ITU-T recommendation P.862; objective method for end-to- end speech quality testing is being used.
Allocation of microwave spectrum is done in accordance with ITU-R recommendation F.385
NCA uses ITU-T recommendations K.52 and K.70 to check EMF exposure levels from telecom installations
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Efforts Of Ghana Contd.
ITU Membership:
WTSA-08 Res. 71 will be used to encourage our research and higher institutions to sign up for ITU membership
Resolution 59 will also be used to encourage participation of national operators in the work of ITU-T.
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Efforts Of Ghana Contd.
Going, attracting meetings and giving inputs:
NCA Engineers now actively participate and contribute to ITU-T and ITU-R study groups activities.
Ghana submitted and defended resolution 76 which was adopted by
WTSA-08
Ghana has been hosting ITU organized meetings: African prep meetings for
RRC06, WTSA-08, and SG 12 regional group for Africa etc…
International
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Efforts Of Ghana Contd.
Construction of National Fibre
Backbone Infrastructure:
Phase 2 construction of a nationwide high capacity fibre backbone.
Construction of e-Government Point-of-
Presence network to connect all district capitals.
This is to bridge the communication gap between
Government and Citizenry
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Efforts Of Ghana Contd.
Two additional licenses have been granted to under see fibre optic landing operators
The idea is to introduce competition, ensure adequate capacity and bring the costs of international bandwidth down
This will link the national fibre backbone network infrastructure
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5. Way forward
TSB should organize workshops and seminars aimed at introducing participants into effective use of ITU recommendations.
Introduction of standardization making processes as a subject in our higher institutions through res. 71
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Way forward Contd.
Resolution 76 and the future ITU
Mark program could use to provide technical assistance to regulators and regional standard bodies.
We need to encourage national authorities and operators to participate in the newly established regional study groups.
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THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
MERCI!
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