INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION Council Working Group for the Elaboration of the Draft Strategic Plan and the Draft Financial Plan, 2008-2011 Document: WG-SP-FP-06/38 28 June 2006 English GENEVA, 27 and 28 JUNE 2006 GHANA COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT ITU FINANCIAL PLAN, 2008-2011 Identifying Potential Areas of Seemingly Neglect in ITU Activities and Outputs. Introduction 1 An area of seemingly neglect on the ITU Financial Plan for the period, 2008-2011 is the creation of Awareness of the need for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). 2 EMC is the situation where two or more electronic equipment working together in the same environment perform together without causing undue interference to each other. 3 In most countries especially in the developing countries, Electromagnetic Interference is increasingly polluting the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupting a wide range of electronic and electrical equipment and services. This is due to the extensive use of the electromagnetic spectrum in the provision of Communication services in this era of convergence involving Telecommunications, Broadcasting and Information Technology Services. 4 This situation has arisen due to the limited Cable Network which is quite expensive and also difficult and takes a considerable length of time to deploy in comparison to radio. Remedy 5 To help industry deal with this growing problem and meet national and international EMC standards, EMC Awareness Seminars need to be included in the budget 2008-2011. Such Seminars on EMC shall form the basis of providing an informed and practical introduction to EMI problems and EMC solutions. 6 Noting that many countries in developing countries especially in Africa are yet to develop their own National Electromagnetic Compatibility Framework, EMC Seminars shall be of great benefit. -2Benefits 7 The benefits to be derived from such a seminar shall include: a. b. c. d. Increased awareness of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and necessity for EMC Standards; Better understanding of national and international EMC and measurement procedures; Full understanding of the impact on the design and manufacturing processes and on the importing/distributing and selling of products; and Improved ability to meet national and international standards. Emphasis is to be laid on: a. b. A general introduction to EMI/EMC issues including the importance of meeting EMC standard; and The consequences of national and international standards, compliance costs and overall management of EMC. Seminar Outline i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x. xi. xii. What is EMI/EMC? Importance of Meeting EMC standards; National and International Standards; Detailed Overview of a typical EMC Standards; Compliance Costs; EMC Management; Questions and Review; Fundamentals of EMC; EMC Regulations; EMC test methods; Designing for EMC Grounding Shielding Cabling Filtering Transient Suppression Check lists for good EMC design. Conclusion 8 A detailed overview of key EMC concerns including the theory of EMI, various case studies, measurement and prevention methods, national and testing issues go a long way to safeguard the increasing use of the electromagnetic spectrum for the provision of communication Services in this convergence era of Telecommunication, Broadcasting and ICT industries. ___________