ITU-D Delegate Guide: Telecommunication Development Study Groups

​​​​​​​History

The decision to create the ITU-D study groups was taken by the Additional Plenipotentiary Conference held in Geneva in 1992.
The first two telecommunication development study groups were created by the World Telecommunication Development Conference held in 1994 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
They were upheld by subsequent WTDCs in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2022.

What are ITU​​-D study groups?

ITU-D study groups enable all Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia to share experiences, present ideas, exchange views, and achieve consensus on strategies to address ICT priorities. ITU-D study groups study Questions and are responsible for developing reports, guidelines, and Recommendations based on input received from the membership. Information is gathered through surveys, contributions and case studies, and is made available for easy access by the membership using content-management and web-publication tools. The study groups examine specific task-oriented telecommunication/ICT Questions of priority to the ITU-D membership, to support them in achieving their SDG targets and development goals.

Outputs agreed on in the ITU-D study groups, and related reference material, are used as input for the implementation of policies, strategies, projects and special initiatives in Member States. These activities also serve to strengthen the shared knowledge base of the membership. Sharing of topics of common interest is carried out through face-to-face meetings, online collaborative platforms and remote participation, in an atmosphere that encourages open debate and exchange of information as well as input from experts on the topics under study. 

Aims and goals

ITU-D study groups aim to offer a neutral and worldwide platform to support countries in achieving their development goals through the development of reports and recommendations.

ITU-D study groups encompass the following elements:
Knowledge platform – Outputs agreed on in the ITU-D study groups and related reference material serve as guidance and input for the implementation of policies, strategies, projects and special initiatives in the 193 ITU Member States. These activities also serve to strengthen the shared knowledge base of the membership.
Information exchange and knowledge sharing hub – Sharing and exchanging on topics of common interest (study Questions) is carried out through face-to-face meetings, electronic means of communication and multilingual remote participation in an atmosphere that encourages open debate and exchange of information.
Information repository – Reports, guidelines, best practices and Recommendations are developed based on input received for review by members of the groups. Information is gathered through surveys, contributions and case studies and is made available for easy access by membership using content-management and web-publication tools.

Joining ITU-D study groups

To participate in the work of ITU-D study groups, it is necessary to be a member of ITU-D.

Functioning and scope of work

The key texts governing ITU-D study groups are:

• the Constitution and the Convention of the ITU (Articles 17 and 20);
• WTDC Resolution 1 (Rev.Kigali, 2022); and
• WTDC Resolution 2 (Rev.Kigali, 2022) .
  

WTDC Resolution 2 (Rev.Kigali, 2022) deals with: 

• the establishment of the ITU-D study groups;
• their scope;
  
• the list of chairmen and vice-chairmen of the ITU-D study groups;
• the list of Questions to be studied and their terms of reference.
  

​​Terms of reference

• The mandate of STUD​Y GROUP 1 on "​Enabling environment for meaningful connectivity*​" is:
  • National policy and regulatory aspects of broadband telecommunication/ICT development
  • Economic aspects in the field of national telecommunications/ICTs, including facilitating the implementation of the digital economy and the provision of telecommunication/ICT services, including for rural and remote areas
  • National approaches for providing access to telecommunications/ICTs in rural and remote areas, with special focus on developing countries, including least developed countries, small island developing states, landlocked developing countries and countries with economies in transition
  • Access to telecommunication/ICT services to enable inclusive communications, especially for persons with disabilities and persons with specific needs
  • Migration and adoption of digital technologies for broadcasting for different environments
  • Use of telecommunications/ICTs for disaster risk reduction and management, particularly in developing countries
  • Consumer information, protection and rights for telecommunication/ICT services, especially for vulnerable groups.​
    
  
  * ​Meaningful connectivity is a level of connectivity that allows users to have a safe, satisfying, enriching and productive online experience at an affordable cost.

 The mandate of STUDY GR​OUP 2 on "Digital transformation​" is:

• Telecommunications/ICTs for e-services, including e-health and e-education
• Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs
• Using telecommunications/ICTs for monitoring and mitigating the impact of climate change, and consideration of circular economy and safe disposal of electronic waste
• Combating counterfeit telecommunication/ICT devices and theft of mobile telecommunication devices
• Implementation of conformance and interoperability testing for telecommunication/ICT devices and equipment
• ​Human exposure to electromagnetic fields
• Challenges and prospects for developing countries in the access to emerging technologies, platforms, applications and use cases
• Using telecommunications/ICTs to create smart cities and the information society
• Adoption of telecommunications/ICTs and improving digital skills.​
  

ITU-D study group Questions
The study groups conduct their work primarily in the form of study Questions. Currently, 14 Questions are being studied across both ITU-D study groups for the period 2022-2025.
The study of a Question should be terminated within the defined time frame. If the work has not been completed, the Question can be revised in the light of new developments or deleted according to a procedure defined in WTDC Resolution 1 (Rev.Kigali, 2022) .

 How ITU-D study groups work

The various groups
There are two study groups and their subjects are summarized at the following link: https://www.itu.int/itu-d/sites/studygroups/ ​
To facilitate their work, the study groups may set up working parties, rapporteur groups and joint rapporteur groups (JRG) or inter-Sector rapporteur groups (IRG) to deal with specific Questions or parts of thereof, including with the participation of other ITU Sectors.
Where appropriate, regional groups may be set up within the study groups to study Questions or problems the specific nature of which makes it desirable that they be studied within the framework of one or more regions of the Union.
For each Question the study group will appoint a rapporteur to manage the work. The rapporteur will be supported by a collection of voluntary experts on the subject, known as the rapporteur group. This is the traditional way of dealing with Questions and resembles how working parties function in ITU's Standardization and Radiocommunication Sectors.​

Roles within the various groups
Study group chairmen and vice-chairmen​
The chairmen and vice-chairmen of study groups are appointed:

• ​by the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC); or
• in the interval between two WTDCs, by the study group, if a study group chairman or vice-chairman is unable to carry out his/her duties; or
• by the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG) for newly created study groups.

The procedure for the appointment of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of ITU-D study groups is set out in WTDC Resolution 61 (Rev. Dubai, 2014).
The chairman's role is to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the study group. Chairmen chair the plenary meetings of the study group and coordinate the work of the various Questions. They are responsible for reporting on the progress of the work on an annual basis to TDAG and present the final deliverables of the study group for the study period to WTDC. The vice-chairmen are representatives from the countries in all the regions and support the chairmen in delivering the expected results. Vice-chairmen can take on specific tasks, as assigned by the chairman of the study group, to assist in advancing the work. ​

Rapporteurs
For each Question, the study group will appoint someone to lead the work by chairing the meetings of experts, leading debates (also online) and coordinating progress. This person is called the rapporteur. He/she is appointed by a study group based both on expertise of the subject to be studied, and the ability to coordinate the work.
The job of a rapporteur is to ensure that the group of experts makes progress towards the expected outputs in the area of study and to drive the work on the text of Recommendations, guidelines and reports in accordance with the expected output and guidance from the study group concerned. It is generally up to the rapporteur group to decide how it should move the work forward. In this regard, and based on the expected results decided for each Question at WTDC, each rapporteur is responsible for preparing and maintaining a work plan for his/her Question. The rapporteur group will follow the work plan, and update it when necessary, to be able to deliver its expected results, for example, annual deliverables, workshops, reports, guidelines and Recommendations as requested by the members.
The same principles generally apply for the working party chairmen, if working parties have been created under the study groups. Rapporteur groups are encouraged to work, as much as possible, using electronic means.
Vice-rapporteurs are appointed to contribute to and advance the work of each of the Questions. The rapporteur group assigns specific tasks to each vice-rapporteur to ensure that the deliverables are developed in a timely manner and in accordance with the expected results.

Study group management teams
Each ITU-D study group has a management team composed of the chairman and vice-chairmen, the chairmen and vice-chairmen of working parties and the rapporteurs and vice-rapporteurs. Study group management teams meet the day before the start of each respective study group meeting, or in the morning of the actual meeting, to discuss and make final preparations for the running of the meeting. Ad hoc meetings of the management teams can also take place when deemed necessary. A joint management team meeting of the two ITU-D study groups is chaired by the Director of BDT and is composed of both ITU-D study group management teams and the chairman of TDAG. The role of the joint management team of the ITU-D study groups is mainly to:

• advise BDT management on the estimation of the budget requirements of the study groups;
• coordinate issues common to both study groups;
• prepare joint proposals to TDAG or other relevant bodies in ITU-D as required;
• finalize the dates of subsequent study group meetings.
  
  

Results of the work of the study groups

What are the results of their studies?
The outputs of ITU-D study groups are: reports, guidelines, best practices and Recommendations. These deliverables can all be downloaded free of charge from the website.
The reports are the principal result of the study. They are prepared by the rapporteur group under the leadership of the rapporteur based on the contributions submitted by the membership during the study period. The rapporteur group may also decide to publish guidelines on one of the topics covered by the Question.
Guidelines present a range of options that reflect the written contributions, discussion, research, analysis, ideas and experience of study group participants. The goal is to produce a menu of choices to assist the ITU membership and others to deliver a robust communications sector capable of accelerating the achievement of national and international goals for social and economic development. The membership and others are encouraged to apply those guidelines that are agreeable and suitable for their individual circumstances.
The reports and guidelines must be adopted first by the group concerned (rapporteur group) and secondly by the study group concerned, before being published.
Reports, guidelines, publications and other deliverables can, and are encouraged to be, released in between WTDCs. 

How are the results approved?
ITU-D Recommendations
Definition: An answer to a Question, part of a Question, or a resolution, for the organization of the work of ITU-D, which, within the scope of existing knowledge and the research carried out by study groups and adopted in accordance with established procedures, may provide guidance on technical, organizational, tariff-related and operational matters, including working methods, may describe a preferred method or proposed solution for undertaking a specific task, or may recommend procedures for specific applications. These Recommendations should be sufficient to serve as a basis for international cooperation.
Adoption, approval and deletion​
All new or revised Recommendations must be formally approved in two stages: adoption by the study group which generated them, and approval by the Member States.
After a draft new or revised Recommendation has been adopted by a study group, the text is submitted for approval by Member States at a WTDC or, between WTDCs, by consultation of the Member States by correspondence as soon as the relevant study group has adopted the text. The study group shall decide at the meeting at which the draft Recommendation is adopted, whether to submit the draft new or revised Recommendation for approval either at the next WTDC or by consultation of the Member States.
In the case of application of the approval procedure by consultation, within one month of the adoption of a draft new or revised Recommendation by a study group, the BDT Director requests Member States to indicate within three months whether they approve or do not approve the proposal. This request is accompanied by the complete final text, in the official languages, of the proposed new or revised Recommendation. The Director at the same time also advises ITU-D Sector Members participating in the work of the relevant study group that Member States (who alone are entitled to respond) are being asked to respond to a consultation on a proposed new or revised Recommendation.
​The process, for adopting and approving as well as deleting Recommendations, together with a model for drafting Recommendations, is defined in WTDC Resolution 1 (Rev.Kigali, 2022).
ITU-D reports
Definition: A technical, operational or procedural statement, prepared by a study group on a given subject related to a current Question or resolution. Several types of reports are defined in WTDC Resolution 1 (Rev.Kigali, 2022)​. An output report represents the principal results of a study and should be considered and approved by the relevant study group.
Approval and deletion
Each study group may approve revised or new output reports, preferably by consensus. Each study group may also determine that an ITU-D output report is out of date and be deleted, preferably by consensus. 
ITU-D handbooks
Definition: A text which provides a statement of the current knowledge, the present position of studies or good operating or technical practice, in certain aspects of telecommunications/ICT, paying particular attention to the requirements of developing countries.
Approval
Each study group may approve revised or new handbooks, preferably by consensus. The study group may authorize its relevant working party to approve handbooks.
ITU-D guidelines
Definition: Guidelines present a range of options that reflect the written contributions, discussion, research, analysis, ideas and experience of study group participants. The goal is to produce a menu of choices to assist the ITU membership and others to deliver a robust communications sector capable of accelerating the achievement of national and international goals for social and economic development. The membership and others are encouraged to apply those guidelines that are agreeable and suitable for their individual circumstances. Best-practice guidelines are not mandatory, and while thorough consideration of the full range of guidelines is encouraged, inapplicable or otherwise unsuitable suggestions need not be employed.
Approval
Each study group may approve revised or new guidelines, preferably by consensus.

Member contributions
Input to study group or rapporteur group meetings may be of three types: contributions for action, contributions for information, and liaison statements. Other documents include background documents and temporary documents. All of them are available via the website.

Reports
Reports of the study group's work can be of four major types:

• Meeting reports: These are the official outputs from meetings of study groups or rapporteur groups and give an account of the main discussions and conclusions of the meetings.
• Progress reports: These provide a brief summary of the status of the work with reference to the work plan, the draft outline of the output report, conclusions or titles of reports or Recommendations to be endorsed. They also indicate the status of liaison activity with other groups.
• Output reports: Such reports represent the expected deliverable, for example, the principal results of a study. The items to be covered are indicated in the expected output of the Question concerned. Such reports are normally limited to a maximum of 50 pages, including annexes and appendices. The inclusion of annual output reports in the work plans of the rapporteur groups are encouraged.
• Chairman's reports to WTDC: These provide a summary of the results achieved by the study group during the study period in question, describing the work of the study group and the outcome achieved, including discussion of the ITU-D strategic objectives that are linked to the study group's activities.

Access to documentation
All documents for ITU-D study group meetings are available to Member States, Sector Members, Associates (depending on which study group they are associates of) and Academia. The documents can be accessed TIES access rights, which all members can request online. Members first need to make sure they hold an ITU user account, which can be requested here.  Then, by logging on to their account, they may request TIES access rights from the menu.
TIES access rights are also necessary to use other network resources such as webcast, remote interactive remote participation or the synchronization tool.

Submitting contributions
​Any ITU-D member can submit contributions, and submission by electronic means is the normal and preferred method. This can be done by:

Through the online document submission template for documents to be found on the study group web page​ ​or by e-mail to the address devsg@itu.int (for both study groups). ​​
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