World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly outlines plans for next-generation network standards

October 14, 2004

3 Min Read

FLORIANÓPOLIS, Brazil -- The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly drew to a close today — World Standards Day1 — with a plan for future global standards-setting and a clear statement about the direction of the future work of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)2.Internet-related issues and next-generation networks emerged as key areas.475 delegates from 75 countries participated.

The 8-day meeting covered a wide range of issues that will impact the future direction of the telecommunication industry. It made important decisions that lay the foundations for the next generation of information and communication technologies. The Assembly also streamlined the ITU-T work programme to achieve greater efficiency in the production of ITU standards (ITU-T Recommendations). Areas of work to be covered by study groups were consolidated and, as a result, an increased scope of study will be achieved with a reduction of some 15 per cent in the number of study topics (Questions).

"This WTSA has seen much intense deliberation," said Mr Roberto Blois, Deputy Secretary-General. "We have always to expect that there will be some difference of opinion. The fact that we have resolved these issues is testament to the value and power of ITU as an able architect of the standards that underpin the world’s communications networks," Blois said.

"This Assembly made a great step forward in establishing a study group to deal with next-generation networks," said Mr José Leite Pereira Filho, Member of the Board of Directors of Anatel on behalf of the host country.Leite added that another key achievement of this Assembly has been the approval of a new resolution, along with a detailed action plan, aimed at bridging the standardization gap between developed and developing countries.He also stressed the importance of the consensual decision-making process."The path you went through was very laborious, requiring unselfishness, understanding and an overwhelming disposition of cooperation", he said.

Mr Houlin Zhao, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau(TSB) commended the Chairman for his leadership, his ability to steer the work of the Assembly to a successful conclusion and for having achieved sound results consensually, "We agreed new tools, resolutions, decisions and guidelines that will make ITU-T more efficient and much stronger." Zhao told delegates.

The main highlights of the Assembly include:

  • A next-generation networks (NGN) focus spanning the work programme of all study groups

  • The creation of a new Study Group on NGN

  • The adoption of new resolutions on Internet-related issues (ENUM, spam, internationalized domain names, country code top level domain (ccTLD) names)

    • The adoption of a resolution on cybersecurity

    • The adoption of measures aimed at enhancing a greater involvement of developing countries in standardization activities

    • A group to oversee the sector’s seminar and workshop programme and to monitor the market for new topic areas

    • The inclusion of a gender perspective in the work of the ITU-T with the adoption of a resolution on gender mainstreaming

    • The setting up of 13 Study Groups with their areas of responsibility and the designation of their chairmen and vice-chairmen. WTSA also designated the chairman and vice-chairmen of the telecommunication standardization advisory group (TSAG)

    • A request for a study on the economic effect of call-back and other similar calling practices in developing countries and how they impact on their ability to develop their telecommunication networks and services.



    International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

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