HIGHLIGHTS
BACKGROUND
CHALLENGES
IN GHANA
OPPORTUNITIES
WAY
FORWARD

Authority for Action

Res. mandate ITU to improve/assist
 WTDC-10, Res. 47, WTSA-08 Res. 76 and the PP-10 Res .177 have been adopted.
 ITU Council-2009 endorsed those Res.
 awareness
 capacity building through workshops & training programmes
 Help set up Conformance and Interoperability testing labs in DC
ITU has set-up C&I database
 manufacturers must make visible declaration of conformity
Database experiencing slow patronage due to lack of
 co-operation by manufacturers and vendors
 Acceptance from some developed countries
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
Identified problems
 high cost of proprietary equipment
 Core and backhaul networks
 Problem of end user affordability
 non interoperable hardware devices and software applications
 core network
 Poor QoS delivery
 proliferation of sub-standard ICT devices and terminals as a result of
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lack of testing labs in developing markets,
Lack of adequate of monitoring of the influx of ICT equipment
Lack of understanding of the test reports and different interpretations
capacity building challenges (personnel)
regulatory non compliance
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
Silent policy and regulatory framework

Lack of conformance, hence less probability of systems interoperability
 Not even MRAs exist
 Increases in OPEX.
 Lack of efficiency
 Increase equipment incompatibility

Poor market surveillance capabilities
 Regulatory vacuum

Difficulty in Type approving and certifying equipment due to
 different interpretations of specification by manufacturers
 Lack of Mutual Recognition Agreements
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
Increase in ICT digital divide and standardisation gap; counter
productive to ITU-T Res. 44

Inadequate technical and financial capabilities

Absence of C& I testing do not facilitate the uptake of technology
and services

Less consumer confidence in Regulatory bodies

Some obsolete and legacy ICT equipment
 Interfaces and protocols of such systems are incompatible with modern
(NGN) systems
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Equip.
Description of the problem (2)
Category
Main Reasons (3)
(1)
Analog Voice Gateway
Can’t forward dialed digits to next devise.
Feature not supported and not
mentioned on Data Sheet
although it is basic
requirements for operation.
Voice interface Card
Caller ID feature is not working on certain mode of
operation although it is globally mentioned on
Spec. Sheet that it is supported.
New hardware interface card
should be used.
Data Switch
Per Packet load sharing on multi-trunk lines is not
working although it is mentioned in the Spec. Sheet
Function not available in
current software release.
Wimax Basestation
Antenna diversity should be supported... It is
available on the configuration menu but not
working.
The diversity is actually not
working when it was enabled
on the software
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Equip. Category (1)
OMC
Description of the
problem (2)
Reasons (3)
Signaling
no conformity to standards
Announcement Machine for
Signaling
subscribers
no conformity to standards
IN
Partial/Total non
conformity for expected no conformity to standards
functionalities
NGN (RNC/MGW)
Software
poor interoperability equipment
different vendors
Mobile Switching Center
Signaling
poor interoperability equipment
different vendors
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
Guarantee and ensure
 availability of open standard equipment
 good QoS delivery by service providers
 device affordability

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Addresses concerns of users by instilling confidence on products they
buy
ITU and donors organisations could assist developing markets to set up
test centres and build capacity
 The case of Tanzania
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
Give regulators confidence that product requirements/specifications are
met

Regulators could facilitate suppliers products to gain more market
acceptance

Provides level playing field, encourages competition and ensures
transparency

Remove technical barriers to trade Agreement

Easy type approval and certification processes

Increases efficiency and reduce OPEX
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
ITU C&I database could encourage conformance assessment

Conformity assessment scheme would check non-compliance

DC spend huge amount of money for national ICT programmes
to;
 Bridge the digital divide
 Build capacity in ICT
 enhance national ICT growth
 Governments are Committed to implementing ITU Res that could make above a reality
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
Better exposure for vendors

Opportunity for small and emerging vendors
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Higher probability of interoperability

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Assist better interpretation and understanding of standards, testing and
test results
Facilitate MRAs, Regulatory and Policy framework
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
The need to intensify and accelerate efforts to realise resolutions
established

Work must be simultaneous
 Robust Studies must be parallel with practical implementation

Vendors need to support TSB efforts in bridging the digital divide
through adopted resolutions
 Res. 76, 44 etc.

May require network and equipment security implementation.
 a recommendation for further investigation
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
Africa group supports the TSB efforts for implementing C&I database
program
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The group would collaborate with the Director TSB to implement the
recommended actions on
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Resolution 76 (Johannesburg, 2008) and as endorsed
by ITU Council in 2009;
Ghana requests ITU to support
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to guide our national standards development
Establishment of test labs
Training and Workshops
Development of MRAs, Policy and Regulatory framework
We shall continue to dialogue
 until a time that Res. 76, 44 and 177 become fully implemented at least for the benefit of DC.
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
A number of private and government entities provide voluntary
 certification, testing laboratory and accreditation database schemes

Global Certification Forum
 GCF operates a certification scheme for mobile phones and wireless devices based
on 3GPP standards.

CTIA – The Wireless Association administers:
 PTCRB scheme for GSM and UMTS devices in the USA
 CDMA Certification Forum for CDMA2000 devices for the global market
 CTIA Battery Certification Program for IEEE 1725 – 2006 and IEEE 1625 – 2008
rechargeable batteries
 Bluetooth Compatibility Certification Program
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
WiFi Alliance
 operates certification programs for products based on IEEE 802.11 standards.
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WiMAX Forum
 certifies interoperability of IEEE 802.16e products.

Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)
 manages certification programs for Carrier Ethernet equipment and services .

Broadband Forum (BBF)
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test specifications for DSL and TDM services over MPLS,
accredits independent DSL testing laboratories
administers an MPLS certification program.
MPLS in mobile backhaul certified products
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
HomeGrid Forum
 develops a G.hn compliance and interoperability programme.

IEEE Conformity Assessment Programme (ICAP)
 offers a Product Conformance Registry for manufacturers to register products that
conform to IEEE specifications and a Test Lab Registry for testing laboratories.

IEEE 1588 Conformity Alliance
 ensures conformance to the IEEE 1588 "Standard for a Precision Clock Synchronization
Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems".

CableLabs
 produce specifications with the aim of developing interoperable cable devices such as
cable modems, set-top boxes, digital TVs and telephony devices.

SIPForum
 has established a programme for supplier declaration of compliance with the SIPconnect
technical specification.
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