ITU Regional Standardization Forum for
Asia-Pacific Region
(Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014)
ICT STANDARDIZATION IN THE
PACIFIC
PAPUA NEW GUINEA CASE
Felix Rupokei,
National ICT Authority,
Papua New Guinea
Presentation Outline
Background PNG Setting
ICT Industry in PNG
Standardization Bodies
NICTA Institutional Arrangement
Standardization Development Ladder
Standardization Challenges
Current Status
International Assistance
Way Forward
Conclusion
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014
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PNG Setting
Land Mass - 463 840 sq km
Population - 7 million
Languages -English, Pidgin & 800 local
Geography - Rugged terrain with high mountain ranges and very steep and
deep valleys and over 600 associated islands.
Economy – Agriculture & cash crops (cocoa, coffee, copra, palm oil), forestry,
fisheries and mining (Gold, copper, oil,
, Gas and Nickel)
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ICT Industry in PNG
Fixed
Mobile
ISP
TV BC
RADIO
(x1)
(x3)
(x36)
3ABN
(x3)
MMDS
Kundu TV
CATV
Unlicensed
VSATs
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Standardization Bodies
Government Agency responsible for spear heading standardization and
quality assurance related activities in PNG
Its functions cover technical standards, metrology, conformity assessment
schemes, productivity and technical barriers to trade in Papua New Guinea
Member of ISO
National Information and Communications
Technology Authority
Converged ICT Regulator
.
In charge to regulate, radio, Telecom, Broadcasting etc.
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National ICT Authority -NICTA
MINISTER
Government Ministry of ICT Department
BOARD
NICTA Board
CEO
CDS
ERP
NICTA Chief Executive Officer
ECIA
LE
Organizational
Departments
Government regulatory body established by an Act of Parliament to regulate ICT industry
in PNG.
Main agency that oversees ICT Standards in PNG.
Conducts type approval of ICT equipment
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Legislation
The main legislation that provides powers, functions,
obligations and responsibilities of NICTA is the :
National ICT Act, 2009


National ICT (Operator Regulation) 2010, and
National ICT (Radio Spectrum Regulation) ,2010.
Objectives
Regulatory
Principles
To ensure that the ICT industry contributes to the greatest
extent possible to the long-term economic and social
development of PNG, taking account of the constitutional
National Goals and Directive Principles
Regulate ICT in a manner that recognises;
•Effectiveness of market forces to promote consumer welfare
•That regulatory measures be: proportional, principled,
technology neutral, transparent; timely ,and non-discriminatory
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Standardization in Developing
Countries
ITU categorized developing countries
into four national categories of
standards readiness.
*ITU-T Research project: Measuring and Reducing
the Standards Gap: December 2009*.
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National Standards
Capability Scale
ITU categorize developing countries into four levels;
Level 1
Low Standards Capability
Level 2
Basic Standards Capability
Level 3
Intermediate Standards Capability
Level 4
Advanced Standards Capability
Figure: ITU-T Research project: Measuring and Reducing the Standards Gap. December 2009
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014
PNG is at
Level 1
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PNG ICT Standardization
Challenges
Government
Within Organization
Industry
International
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ICT Standardization
Challenges-Government
Low Priority to ICT
Standardization activities
• Lack of policy that encourage national
standards formulation and capacity
building
• Lack of Collaboration between
ministry, industry, academia , etc
• Lack of funding for testing equipment
Lack of government understanding about the critical role of standards in promoting national
economic competitiveness and innovation
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ICT Standardization
Challenges-NICTA
Human Resource
•Staff consistency
•Staff deficiency
Lack of expertise in Standardization
•Interpreting ITU-T and ITU-R recommendations in
Standard making Process
•Identification of suitable international standards
applicable to PNG
•Keep up to date with technological changes
Guideline/Framework
• No clear standardization framework
Regulatory-Priority
•Nicta priority in economic regulation and administration
aspect
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ICT Standardization
Challenges-ICT Industries
Lack of Industry Participation
• Low feedback/comments to draft standards
documents
• Lack of compliance to technical standards
• Limited knowledge in ICT Standardization and
ITU recommendations
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ICT Standardization
Challenges-International
Involvement in International
Standard Development
Process
•
Identification of international standards
applicable to PNG
Keep up date with technological Changes
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Current Status
PNG - ICT Standardization
Development Ladder
Factors determining standardizations levels
Economic development
Local manufacturing capability
Local R&D capability
Is it necessary to cover all rungs for
the case of Level 1 (ICT product end
users) countries like PNG?
Which rung is more relevant to the
PNG case (level 1 countries) for
more participation
Learning by doing
Engaging with ITU standardization
development by getting more
involved
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014
Entering proposals at
WTSA
Nominating
representatives as study
groups chairs, rapp etc
Giving contribution at study
Groups and related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
Going to Study Groups and
Related Meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity-building in use of
ITU-Recommendation
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendation
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International Assistance
- Korea
Gain insight into the standardization process for Korea
Process for standard roadmap and/or research project for
standards
Study Visit to TTA-Korea-November 2013
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Way Forward
Develop Standardization
Policy with clear goals
Effective participation in
APT/ITU standardization
activities.
National Training and capacity
building in use of ITU
recommendations
Need to strengthen domestic
standards institutions
Need for wider industry
participation in
standardization
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Sufficient Staffing
Build domestic alliance &
Partnership
Identify issues and/or
potential agenda in advance
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Conclusion
Standardization is important for PNG and it
need urgent attention to the issues.
Strengthened domestic institutions;
Promote use of TIES to access ITU
Recommendations;
Active participation in APT activities;
Bring issues to APT preparatory meetings;
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END
THANK YOU
frupokei@nicta.gov.pg
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014
www.nicta.gov.pg
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Need
Establish ICT standardization capacity
building program
Establish public-private partnerships for
ICT standardization activities at the
national level.
How to attract private sector and
academia involvement in
standardization activities
Develop human resource to undertake
standardization work
Guideline for setting up national
standards
Participation in global standardization
Provision of training on development of
ICT standards
Sponsor experts to participate in
international standardization activities
.
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