ITU-T Workshop on
Bridging the Standardization Gap
Strategies to Bridge the
Standardization Gap
Fiji, 17 September 2009
Arthur Levin
Head, Standardization Policy Division
ITU - Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Outline
 Defining the standardization gap
 Measuring the gap
 ITU-T activities to bridge the
standardization gap
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Defining the
Standardization Gap
 Disparities in the ability to access, implement,
contribute to and influence international ICT standards
(ITU Recommendations)
 Disparities in the representation of developing
countries relative to developed countries, cause and
manifestation of:
 Persistence of the wider digital divide in ICTs (among
different regions and groups within the society)
 Unequal access to technology and the ability to use that
technology
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Framework for BSG
 PP Resolution 123 (Rev. Antalya, 2006)
 Recognizing “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
…”
 Resolution 44 (WTSA-04): Action Plan
 Strengthening standards-making
capabilities
 Assisting ITU-D in enhancing application
of standards
 Human resource building
 Flagship groups for bridging the gap
 Fundraising
 Resolution 47 (WTDC-06)
 Enhancement of knowledge and effective
application of ITU Recommendations in
developing countries
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Measuring the Gap

Number of TIES users

Number of downloads of ITU-T Recs. from
website site

Number of Sector Members and Associates

Number of chairmen, vice-chairmen and
rapporteurs from developing countries

Number of participants in meetings and
contributions by country
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
The Standardization
Development Ladder
 Bridging the standardization
development gap requires a sequence of
steps, depending on the level of:
 economic development
 local manufacturing capability
 local R&D capability
 previous engagement with ITU
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
 These steps can be conceptualised in
terms of a “Ladder of Standardization
Development”
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Standardization
Development Ladder (1)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
 On the lowest rung of the ladder is the
growing usage of ITU Recommendations
and website
 This can be measured in terms of sales
or downloads of Recommendations
 Use of international standards in ICT
procurement should help to reduce costs
and promote inter-operability
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing use of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Standardization
Development Ladder (1)
 ITU-T’s policy of making Recommendations
free of charge online has led to increased
usage from developing countries
2006
LDC
60%
40%
89.6%
84.1%
2007, Jan-Aug
Developed
>1.9m
downloads from
197 economies
0%
E-bookshop sales
4’815 sales to
78 economies
Developing
20%
Web dow nloads
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Dow nloads com pared w ith sales of ITU-T Recs
100%
10.3%
15.6%
0.1%
0.3%
80%
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
Top ten developing and
transition economies, by
number of downloads
Free
Downloads
from ITU-T
website,
Jan-May
2007.
Source:
ITU-T Web
Trends
Economy
China
India
Russian Fed.
Brazil
Vietnam
Saudi Arabia
Colombia
Indonesia
Iran
Uruguay
No. of
As % of
visits
developing
39'990
25.9%
15'065
9.8%
6'554
4.2%
5'975
3.9%
4'819
3.1%
4'805
3.1%
3'646
2.4%
3'547
2.3%
3'422
2.2%
3'294
2.1%
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
As % of
total
3.83%
1.44%
0.63%
0.57%
0.46%
0.46%
0.35%
0.34%
0.33%
0.32%
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
Standardization
Development Ladder (2)
 On the second rung of the ladder is the
national capacity-building in use of ITU
Recommendations, helping to build a
national resource base of engineers able
to implement Recommendations
 ITU can provide capacity-building and
training programmes (eg centres of
excellence)
 Standardization Gap Fund facilitates
participation of developing country
experts in standardization work
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Standardization
Development Ladder (3)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
 On the third rung of the ladder is ITU
Sector and Associate membership
 Institutional membership in the global
community helps promote globalization
while off-setting its negative aspects
 Membership also gives access to meeting
reports, contributions, temporary
documents, working documents etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
ITU-T Sector Members
and Associates
April 2009
100%
80%
89
5
16
0
60%
40%
LDC
115
Developing
Developed
210
20%
0%
Sector Members
Associates
*About one third of ITU-T Sector Members are
from developing countries but only one sixth of
Associates
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Standardization
Development Ladder (4)
 On the 4th rung of the ladder is
participation in Study Groups and Focus
Groups
 Participation promotes “learning by
doing” and opens possibilities for
networking
 Possibilities also exist for remote
participation (e.g., through Internet
Broadcast of Study Group meetings,
correspondence groups, remote
collaboration tools etc)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Participation in ITU-T
Meetings
(# Delegates to ITU-T Meetings)
Total:
2'987
100%
1.5%
20.0%
2.3%
26.5%
80%
LDC
60%
Developing
40%
78.4%
Developed
71.2%
20%
0%
2000
2007
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
ITU-T Members and TIES
ITU Member States and their ties accounts
April 2009
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
709
6169
49
LDC
Developing
106
Developed
15071
36
TIES accounts
Member States
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Standardization
Development Ladder (5)
 On the 5th rung, countries may seek to
attract ITU meetings, or establish
regional groups to foster participation
 Hosting events will create new
opportunities for “learning by doing”,
training and raising awareness
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
 An increasing number of joint ITU-T/ITUD Study Groups, Focus Groups and
workshops are now held in the regions
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
Standardization
Development Ladder (5)
 Regional Development Forums and WTSA
Preparatory meetings
 Brasilia, Brazil, May 2008
 Accra, Ghana, May 2008
 Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 2008
 Damascus, Syria, July 2008
 Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2008
 Other regional events
 Global Symposium for Regulators, Pattaya,
11-13 March
 Africa TELECOM, Cairo, 12-15 May
 Asia TELECOM, Bangkok, 2-5 September
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
Standardization
Development Ladder (6)
 On the 6th rung of the ladder is Giving
“contributions” (ie input documents) at
ITU-T Study Groups, Focus Groups and
related meetings
 By making inputs to the process, it is
possible to shape future standards
 The whole standardization process is
“contribution-driven”, as these form the
basis for virtually all Recommendations
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Participation : Contributions
Developing
countries
ITU-T Member
contributions 2000
ITU-T Member
contributions 2008
Developing
countries
388
contributions
19%
78
contributions
(6.2%)
1179
contributions
(93.8%)
Developed
countries
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
1665
contributions
(81%)
Developed
countries
Standardization
Development Ladder (6)
 Developing countries account for a rising
percentage of inputs to Study Groups, as
exemplified by China
Number of contributions per year, China
500
400
China (Sector Member)
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
China (Member State)
300
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
200
Source:
ITU-T.
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
100
0
98
2000
02
04
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
06
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
Standardization
Development Ladder (7)
 On the 7th rung of the ladder is
Nominating representatives, eg to serve
as Study Group chairs, vice chairs,
rapporteurs etc
 These officials form part of the
management team for each Study Group
and help progress the work
 Nomination is a sign of respect for the
contributions made by individuals over a
number of years
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Participation in ITU-T
Leadership
ITU-T SG Chairs and Vice-Chairs, 1996-2000-2004-2008
100%
90%
9
1
23
80%
3
3
7
33
70%
50
60%
LDCs
50%
40%
Developing
44
51
30%
Developed
56
46
20%
10%
0%
1996
2000
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
2004
2008
Standardization
Development Ladder (8)
 On the final rung of the ladder is Entering
Proposals, in TSAG and WTSA, eg on
future study questions and work
programmes
 ITU-T’s work is structured around study
questions which determine the work of
the Study Groups
 World Telecom Standardization Assembly
(WTSA) was held in Johannesburg from
21-30 October 2008, preceded by a
Global Standards Symposium (GSS)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice chairs. rapporteurs, focus
group chairs etc
So, what can be
done to bridge the
standardization
development gap?
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
TechWatch reports
Identify new/emerging technologies with a view to
identify areas for new standardization work, such as:
 Food Security (August 2009)
 The Future Internet (April 2009)
 Distributed Computing: Utilities, Grids & Clouds
(March 2009)
 Standardization Activities for Intelligent Transport
Systems (October 2008)
 NGNs and energy efficiency (August 2008)
 Technical aspects of Lawful Interception (May 2008)
…
http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/techwatch/index.html
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Technical Flyers















Numbering, Naming and Addressing
VoIP
QoS & QoE
NGN
ASON
B-PON ; CWDM; DSL ; G-PON
Optical Fibres and Cables
OTN ; OTS
Synchronization over packet networks
Accessibility
H.264 ; H.350
Multimedia Communications
ASN.1
Security
http://www.itu.int/oth/T0B04/en
IMT-2000
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Increasing participation and
collaboration





Workshops, seminars and other events
Remote collaboration and participation
Regional groups
Block Meetings
Flagship Group
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Remote collaboration and
participation: online tools
 Free access to ITU-T Recommendations
online (since 1 January 2007)
 TIES access (password protected) to
meeting documents etc
 Other electronic tools, e.g., correspondence
groups, informal FTP areas on website,
Forums etc
 Remote participation via webinar
(GotoMeeting, GoToWebinar, Webex)
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Resolution 54 : Creation of regional groups
Regional Groups
Support within available (or otherwise
contributed resources) and on a case-bycase basis the creation of regional groups
ITU-T RGs: SG2
SG3
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
SG6
SG12
2009: ITU-T major events in
developing countries
 Forum on "Implementation of decisions of the
World Telecommunication Standardization
Assembly-08 (WTSA-08)“, Accra, Ghana 16-17
June 2009
 ITU Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change
Quito, Ecuador 8-10 July 2009
 Kaleidoscope event: Innovations for Digital
Inclusion Mar del Plata, Argentina, 31 Aug-1 Sept.
2009
 Workshop on Accessibility, Bamako, Mali (Planned)
13-15 Oct. 2009
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
ITU-T “Block” meetings
in the region
 Cooperation with regional organizations: CITEL,
RCC, APT, ATU, LAS,…
 One per year per region in the same place in the
same time in their regions
 Topics decided by the membership and transversal
to any ITU-T Study Groups
 Official status as generator of contributions to
parent study groups
 TSB secretarial support, EDH facilities as any other
SG meeting
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Thank you
www.itu.int/ITU-T/gap
tsbspd@itu.int
tsbpromo@itu.int
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008
Meetings by regions
ITU Forum Bridging Standardization Gap – Brasilia, May 2008