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Challenges In Bridging the Standardization Gap – A Fijian perspective

ITU-T Regional Workshop on Bridging the Standardization Gap and Interactive Training Session (Nadi, Fiji, 4 – 6 July 2011 ). Challenges In Bridging the Standardization Gap – A Fijian perspective. Ronald Box Chief Executive Officer Telecommunication Authority of Fiji. Presentation Topics.

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Challenges In Bridging the Standardization Gap – A Fijian perspective

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  1. ITU-T Regional Workshop on Bridging the Standardization Gapand Interactive Training Session (Nadi, Fiji, 4 – 6 July 2011 ) Challenges In Bridging the Standardization Gap – A Fijian perspective Ronald Box Chief Executive Officer Telecommunication Authority of Fiji

  2. Presentation Topics Fiji Statistics Current Situation in Fiji Challenges Regulatory Challenges Standardization Challenges Thoughts to leave you with

  3. Fiji Statistics Total land area 18,333 sq.km Two major islands: Viti Levu & Vanua Levu Population of approx. 838,000 Fiji : 330 islands; of which One Third are inhabited

  4. Fiji Statistics cont....

  5. Fiji Statistics cont....

  6. Current Situation in Fiji • Currently: - TFL Offering : Fixed lines telephone services & internet service - FINTEL : International gateway services, & internet services - VFL : Public cellular mobile telephone system & internet services - Digicel : Public cellular mobile telephone system & internet services

  7. Current Situation in Fiji cont... Must have a ‘big picture’ focus & cater for Fijian needs & prosperity The “Going Mobile” future – & finding, providing adequate spectrum challenge Fixed line services dying – reliance on & provision of declining rapidly Regulating for effective competition, public benefit & with the interest of consumers a priority

  8. Current Situation in Fiji cont.... Convergence of Services – how will industry/regulators meet the challenges to service public need & demand? The increasing reliance on telecommunications for essential services; eg: medical, commerce, banking, purchases, communication (internet), information From Capacity to Connectivity – Network access & interconnection

  9. Current Situation in Fiji cont.... From availability to use – Universal access & service, developing community wide digital literacy A Digital Future – Regulatory challenges in a brave new world: privacy, security & neutrality On-going regulatory role – TAF to be around for a long, long, time

  10. Challenges A  Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with high aims but difficulties of achieving that  with population & revenue  limitations, &  wide-spread geography Wants to be a "regional telecommunication hub,“ - & positioning itself to do so This has been highlighted in Telecom Promulgation 2008 as one of the Minister’s responsibilities

  11. Challenges cont….. But - how to achieve this & where to start from? Many questions to ask; including how to achieve universal access? Fiji is 2nd largest market in the South Pacific Island Group Telecommunications services will be the key driver of economic growth for Fiji The future is in Mobile Consumer empowerment is the key driver

  12. Regulatory Challenges • So much needed so soon • Competing priorities so need a prioritised approach • Moving to the "new" world of regulation/liberalisation instead incumbency provision of services • Focus on most pressing issues • Critical need for effective communication with all stakeholders: industry players, MoC, FCC, Consumer Council & MoI(NALS)

  13. Standardization Challenges • Who to draw from? • ITU & APT can assist greatly • How to participate? Tyranny of distance • How to get a national view? Wide spread geography • How to be effective internationally? Need to have a Pacific wide or at least a Pacific Country voice & view

  14. Standardization Challenges cont... • Efficient & effective way is to participate in APT regional meetings & targeted ITU meetings • Make as much use of on-line services as possible - but how to find it in the first place?  (TAF currently is a good (bad) example - very difficult to find out about as we do not yet have a website

  15. Standardization Challenges cont... • When TAF’s website established, how will stakeholders - and particularly consumers/users know? TAF has to be a communicative organisation • Use of Regional Forums • Regional cooperation a must. One SID can not go it alone!

  16. Thought to leave you with Can standards (really) motivate growth and universal access in an island nation such as Fiji? If so, how? Welcome your thoughts Is there experience in other parts of the world that we can learn from? Manufacturers have always played a key role in standards-making, so are there regional manufacturers who are keen to test new technologies in our markets? Could this lead to new standards being evolved?

  17. Thought to leave you with cont... Fiji can not afford to set up elaborate testing facilities. We adopt an “attestation” form of technical standards (adopt/recognise) But how do we chose the standards that will serve our market best? Some standards may in fact limit the ability of some regional manufacturers to bid on systems here, & thus, would inhibit innovation & growth. How do we ensure that this doesn’t happen?

  18. Thought to leave you with cont... • I don’t have all the answers to some of these questions – very challenging • Encourage you to assist me with your advice during this session (or out of hours)? • Thought/possibility to leave you with: • Why not use Fiji as a test bed and test market for emerging standards?

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