ITU-T FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WTSA-08 DECISIONS
AND
WORKSHOP ON BRIDGING THE STANDARDIZATION GAP
(Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009)
View from PI States
Joseph Kim,
PANGTEL – PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009
Presentation
Introduction
What is Standardization
Development Gap (SDG)?
Why is SDG important for PNG?
Impact of SDG on PNG
ITU ICT standardization ladder
Standards issuance process in PNG
What can LDC do?
Conclusion
Way forward
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Introduction
Standardization development gap
exists in PNG and manifests itself in
various forms;
Within the ICT/Telecommunication
sector but more so in the other social
economic sectors;
Challenges in ensuring compatibility,
interoperability, and migration to
newer/proven technologies;
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WSIS (World Summit on Information Society)
The WSIS has the challenge to harness the
potential of ICT to promote MDGs…
Doha Action Plan of ITU-D (Resolution 52): “estrategies and ICT applications” where developing
countries are encouraged to use ICT based
products, networks, services and applications to
realize social economic benefits and improve
quality of life…ultimately closing the digital
divide…
Still an issue for Papua New Guinea
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Why is it important?
ADB report March 2003, notes that PNG lags in
achieving most of the MDGs
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What is the Standardization Development Gap?
The Standardization Development Gap may be defined as
disparities in the ability of representatives of developing
countries, relative to developing ones, to access, implement,
contribute to and influence international ICT standards,
specifically ITU recommendations (ITU-T). Moreover, the
standardization development gap is both a cause and a
manifestation on the wider digital divide within jurisdictions
owing to geographic and demographic challenges. But
internationally the digital divide is expressed in terms of the
gaps in levels of ICT access among countries at their respective
stages of economic and social development.
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ICT industry in PNG
international
Long
distance
Local
GreenCom
Mobile
Internet
TV BC
RADIO
3ABN
MMDS
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CATV
Kundu
TV
Unlicensed
VSATs
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Standard development process in PNG
implement
identification
and inclusion
of standard
in annual
work plan
submit to
PANGTEL
board
assign task
to staff to
research and
release
working
draft
revise and
finalize
comments
from within
PANGTEL
invite
comments
from
industry
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release
revised draft
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Why is standardization important for
PNG?
SDG is a factor in
unequal access to
technology in PNG;
sustains digital divide
issues in PNG;
Denies the
opportunity to develop
skills for the
technology;
Chronic shortage of
bandwidth;
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Suppress demand/desire
for newer/proven
broadband technologies;
Denies technology and
skills transfer to industry
and technical regulator;
and
Ease of migration from
legacy to newer/proven
technologies
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Why is standardization important for
PNG?
Help develop ICT as a sector;
ICT as an enabler to social and economic
sector development strategies;
Globalization challenges and
opportunities (skills & empowerment);
Climate change challenges and
opportunities; and
others
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ICT standardization ladder
Where to start?
Needs clearly sound
management,
properly trained
and motivated
representatives
even in a LDC like
PNG;
Not necessary to
cover all rungs, for
the case of ICT end
user like PNG;
Awareness on the
convenience of
TIES account is
vital
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What to do?
Build and strengthen
national capacity on
standards;
Strengthen
collaboration between
ministry, regulatory,
standards body,
industry, academia;
Participate in regional
program such as
ASTAP
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Have a voice in ASTAP
and form alliances to get
support on your country’s
special needs;
Attend ASTAP preparatory
meetings to bring issues
to the WTSA;
Remember PI is
important to
manufacturers who sell
their products, stand up
for your rights…
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Impacts of SDG on Papua New Guinea
Lack of enjoyment
of a wider range of
ICT services;
Sustainability
issues;
Can not fulfill
MDG;
Impede social
economic
development…
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Food security
issues;
Crime rate (CCTV);
Low health levels;
Numeracy & literacy
improvement;
Denial of access to
information…
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Conclusion
SDG remains an issue for PNG but she
has to help herself before she can be
helped;
Strengthened domestic institutions;
Promote use of TIES to access ITU
Recommendations;
Active participation in APT activities;
Bring issues to APT preparatory
meetings and lobby support from
colleague members;
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Way forward for Papua New Guinea
Act now and do not delay;
Build necessary clear legislative goals
that are supported by coherent policy;
Build domestic alliances & partnerships;
Identify issues and/or potential
agenda in advance;
No country is too small to bring
issues to APT/WTSA/ITU…
PARTICIPATE AND SPEAK OUT!
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Thank you
jkim@pangtel.gov.pg
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