Survey of ICT Standardization Capability of Developing Countries

1. ITU-T Workshop on Bridging the Standardization Gapand Interactive Training Session (Algiers, Algeria 26-28 September 2011 ) Survey of ICT Standardization Capability of Developing Countries Venkatesen Mauree Programme Coordinator, Policy and Technology Watch Division, TSB, ITU

2. Outline • The Standardization Gap • ICT Standardization Capability Study • Objectives • Methodology • National Standards Capability Scale • Strategies to improve • Conclusion

3. The Standardization Gap • Disparities in the ability of developing countries, to access, implement, contribute to and influence international ICT standards. • The standardization development gap is itself both a cause and a manifestation of the wider digital divide • Bridge the standardization gap: PP Res 123, WTSA Res 44 and WTDC Res 47

4. Bridging The Standardization Gap (BSG) • Main Actions • Increase the use of ITU-T Recommendations, membership and participation of developing countries • Capacity building on standardization • Increase participation in Study Groups, Workshops, Meetings and number of contributions • Establish BSG Fund

5. Standards Q&A • http://groups.itu.int/itu-t/StandardsQA.aspx • Moderated Forum – open to everyone • Objectives • Enable developing countries to seek advice directly from ITU-T study group experts • Ensure developing countries have a better understanding of ITU-T Recommendations • Enhance the application of ITU-T Recommendations in developing countries

6. Standards Q&A • 26 Topics : some examples • Naming, numbering • IPv6 • ICT and Climate Change • Optical Transport Networks • IPTV • Cloud Computing • Cybersecurity • Future networks and NGN • Home Networking • Multimedia coding • Accessibility • Conformity and Interoperability

7. ICT Standardization Capability Study • Understand the primary gaps that must be bridged to improve the standards development, implementation, and usage capacities of developing countries. • Identify variables necessary for developing countries to effectively develop, access, and deploy standards. • Develop a national profile of standards readiness and recommend best practices for national standards participation

8. Methodology • Tool for Assessing Standards Capability • a questionnaire designed to elicit a self-assessment of standards capacity for effectively developing, accessing, and deploying ICT standards • Distributed to LDCs/Developing Countries • Scope limited to ICT standards • Preliminary Report published in December 2009 • Case Studies : China, Czech Rep., Lebanon, Mali, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Thailand, Zambia

9. Questionnaire • Standards Development Capability • Government Standards Policy • Standardization Human Resources • National Standards Use and Adoption

10. Standards Development Capacity

11. Standardization Human Resources

12. Government Standards Policy

13. National Standards Use and Adoption

14. Additional Questions

15. National Standards Capability Scale

16. National Standards Capability Scale

17. Strategies To Improve • Public-private partnership for ICT standardization activities at national level • identify new ICT standards requirements • define strategy for participation in regional and international standards-setting organizations. • Capacity building programme on ICT standardization for officials of the national standards body and ICT regulatory authority

18. Strategies To Improve • Offer government-sponsored ICT standards training in collaboration with private industry and international standards-setting organizations • Provide incentives towards hosting international ICT standards conferences and workshops in the country.

19. Conclusion • ICT Standardization Capability maturity is influenced by • Importance of ICT standards in Government’s national ICT strategy • Strong mandate for a national body responsible to drive and coordinate participation in international standards fora • Private sector involvement in ICT standardization • Availability of funding to support ICT standardization work

20. Thank You Contact: vijay.mauree@itu.int Website: http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/gap