ITU Regional Development Forum 2008
“Bridging the Standardization Gap in Developing Countries”
Accra, Ghana, 26-28 May 2008
Bridging the ICT Standardization
Gap
Dr Tim Kelly,
Head, Standardization Policy
Division, ITU-T
1
Committed to Connecting the World

2
Bridging the Standardization Gap z Context
¾ PP-06 Resolution 123; WTSA Resolution 44 z Defining the Gap
¾ Digital Divide
¾ Standardization “ Ladder of Development ” z Measuring the Gap
¾ Usage of Recommendations
¾ Membership and participation statistics
¾ Study Group officials z Next Steps
¾ Work of TSAG Correspondence Group
¾ Actions to bridge the gap
Committed to Connecting the World

Framework for programme
3 z PP Resolution 123 (Rev. Antalya, 2006)
¾ 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 …” z Resolution 44 (WTSA-04): Action Plan
¾ Strengthening standards-making capabilities
¾ Assisting ITU-D in enhancing application of standards
¾ Human resource building
¾ Flagship groups for bridging the gap
¾ Fundraising z Resolution 47 (WTDC-06)
¾ Enhancement of knowledge and effective application of ITU
Recommendations in developing countries
Committed to Connecting the World

The digital divide: Shrinking for some ..
z For fixed lines, the gap in penetration between developed and developing countries has reduced from
10:1 to 3:1 since
1995 z For mobile phones, the gap has fallen from 33:1 to
3:1 and for Internet users from 80:1 to 6:1
Source: ITU/UNCTAD World Information Society Report 2007: Beyond WSIS
4
Committed to Connecting the World

… but the gap is increasing for others z The average price of broadband in Africa is ten times higher than in high income countries z African prices are more than 2 ’ 000 times higher, per 100kbit/s per month, than in
Japan and Korea
(Rep.) z Participating in standards-making can help in implementing services ( “ Learning by doing ” )
Source: ITU/UNCTAD World Information Society Report 2007: Beyond WSIS
5
Committed to Connecting the World

So, what is the “ standardization gap ” ?
z It might be defined as disparities in the ability of developing countries, relative to developed ones,
Developing countries
547 contributions
(25.6%) to access, implement, contribute to and influence international ICT standards , specifically ITU Recommendations.
ITU-T Member contributions
2006
1'631contributions
(74.6%%)
Developed countries z The standardization development gap is itself both a cause and a manifestation of the wider digital divide z It contributes to the persistence of the wider
6 digital divide
Committed to Connecting the World

The Standardization
Development Ladder z Bridging the standardization development gap requires a sequence of steps, depending on the level of:
¾ economic development
¾ local manufacturing capability
¾ local R&D capability
¾ previous engagement with ITU z These steps can be conceptualised in terms of a “ Ladder of
Standardization Development ”
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
(1) z On the lowest rung of the ladder is the growing usage of ITU
Recommendations and website z This can be measured in terms of sales or downloads of
Recommendations z Use of international standards in ICT procurement should help to reduce costs and promote inter-operability
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 use of ITU
Recommendations

Top ten developing and transition economies, by number of downloads
Economy
China
India
Russian Fed.
Free Brazil
Downloads website,
Saudi Arabia
2007. Colombia
Source:
Uruguay
No. of visits
39'990
15'065
6'554
5'975
4'819
4'805
3'646
3'547
3'422
3'294
As % of developing
25.9%
9.8%
4.2%
3.9%
3.1%
3.1%
2.4%
2.3%
2.2%
2.1%
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) z 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 z ITU can provide capacity-building and training programmes (eg centres of excellence) z 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

Standardization
Development Ladder (2) z ITU-T ’ s policy of making
Recommendations free of charge online has led to increased usage from developing countries
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
Dow nloads com pared w ith sales of ITU-T Recs
100%
10.3%
0.1%
15.6%
0.3%
80%
60%
40%
20%
89.6%
84.1%
LDC
Developing
Developed
2006
4’815 sales to
78 economies
2007, Jan-Aug
>1.9m downloads from
197 economies
0%
E-bookshop sales Web dow nloads
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 (3)
Entering proposals at WTSA on future study questions and work programmes z On the third rung of the ladder is ITU
Sector and Associate membership z Institutional membership in the global community helps promote globalization while off-setting its negative aspects z Membership also gives access to meeting reports, contributions, temporary documents, working documents etc
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 (3) z One third of ITU-T Sector Members are from developing countries but only one sixth of Associates
ITU-T Sector Mem bers and Associates, June 2007
100%
9
16
0
80%
88
60%
40%
102
LDC
Developing
Developed
227
20%
0%
Sector Members Associates
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 (4) z On the 4 th rung of the ladder is participation in Study Groups and
Focus Groups z Participation promotes “ learning by doing ” and opens possibilities for networking z 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

Standardization
Development Ladder (4) z Remote participation via Telecom
Information Exchange Service ( TIES ), with user name and password
ITU Mem ber States and their TIES accounts , June 2007
100%
258
49
80%
2'064
60%
40%
106
LDC
Developing
Developed
20% 1'531
36
0%
TIES Accounts Member States
Average TIES accounts
LDCs (5)
Developing (19)
Developed (42)
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 (5)
Entering proposals at WTSA on future study questions and work programmes z On the 5 th rung, countries may seek to attract ITU meetings , or establish regional groups to foster participation z Hosting events will create new opportunities for “ learning by doing ” , training and raising awareness z An increasing number of joint ITU-
T/ITU-D Study Groups, Focus Groups and workshops are now held in the regions
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 (5) z Regional Development Forums and
WTSA Preparatory meetings
¾ Brasilia, Brazil, May 2008
¾ Accra, Ghana, May 2008
¾ Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 2008
¾ Damascus, Syria, July 2008
¾ Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2008 z Other regional events
¾ Global Symposium for Regulators, Pattaya,
11-13 March
¾ Africa T ELECOM , Cairo, 12-15 May
¾ Asia T ELECOM , Bangkok, 2-5 September
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) Entering proposals at WTSA on future study questions and work programmes z On the 6 th rung of the ladder is Giving
“ contributions ” (ie input documents) at ITU-T Study Groups, Focus Groups and related meetings z By making inputs to the process, it is possible to shape future standards z The whole standardization process is
“ contribution-driven ” , as these form the basis for virtually all
Recommendations
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) z Developing countries account for a rising percentage of inputs to Study
Groups, as exemplified by China
Number of contributions per year , China
500
China (Sector Member)
China (Member State)
Source:
ITU-T.
400
300
200
100
0
98 2000 02 04 06
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 (7)
Entering proposals at WTSA on future study questions and work programmes z On the 7th rung of the ladder is
Nominating representatives , eg to serve as Study Group chairs, vice chairs, rapporteurs etc z These officials form part of the management team for each Study
Group and help progress the work z Nomination is a sign of respect for the contributions made by individuals over a number of years
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 (7) z The number of Study Group officials from developing economies has been increasing to reach around 40%
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
ITU-T SG Chairs and Vice -Chairs , 1996-2000-2004
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
9
44
1
23
51
3
33
56
3
LDC
Developing
Developed
1996 2000 2004
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 (8) z On the final rung of the ladder is
Entering Proposals , in TSAG and
WTSA, eg on future study questions and work programmes z ITU-T ’ s work is structured around study questions which determine the work of the Study Groups z World Telecom Standardization
Assembly (WTSA) will be 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

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

It ’ ’ s all about involved
I ITU Membership
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

25
TSAG Correspondence Group: tsagbridge@itu.int
http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/gap
Committed to Connecting the World

Glossary of terms used
26
CHF
CS/CV
GNI
GSS
ICT
ITU
ITU-D
ITU-R
ITU-T
Kbit/s
LDC
NGN
OECD
PP-06
R&D
TIES
TSAG
Swiss Francs
ITU Constitution and Convention
Gross National Income
Global Standards Symposium
Information and Communication Technologies
International Telecommunication Union
ITU Development Sector
ITU Radiocommunication Sector
ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector
Kilobits per second
Least Developed Country
Next Generation Networks
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2006
Research and Development
Telecom Information Exchange System
Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group
SG Study Group
UNCTAD United National Conference on Trade and Development
USD
WCIT
United States Dollars
World Conference on International Telecommunications
WSIS
WTDC
WTPF
World Summit on the Information Society
World Telecommunication Development Conference
World Telecommunication Policy Forum
WTSA World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly
Committed to Connecting the World