Committed to connecting the world

ITU-D Study Groups 2018-2021 Publications

The publications are the principal result of each Study Group question and are based on contributions received from ITU-D membership.

All stakeholders, especially those in developing countries, can use the insights and findings to: adapt guidelines from the report into their national policy, connect to countries and partners for capacity building and in-country implementation actions, and move closer to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), targets and their specific development priorities.

Watch all of the report highlight videos here!

Study Group 1

Question 1/1: Strategies and policies for the deployment of broadband in developing countries

Broadband technologies are fundamentally transforming the way we live. Broadband infrastructure, applications and services offer important opportunities for boosting economic growth, enhancing communications, improving energy efficiency, safeguarding the planet and improving people’s lives.

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration

Question 2/1: Strategies, policies, regulations and methods of migration and adoption of digital broadcasting

The migration from analogue to digital broadcasting technologies has been completed in some countries, while others are in the process of completing the transition. The transition results in a variety of strategies, plans and implementation actions that achieve a successful process to maximize the benefits.

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration
Annual deliverables : 2019 | 2020

Question 3/1: Emerging technologies, including Cloud Computing, m-services and OTTs: Challenges and opportunities, economic and policy impact for developing countries

The world has entered an era of accelerated technology innovation, driven by massive research and development investments and exponential progress in many technologies, especially digital. The growing set of technologies emerging every day is staggering.

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration
Annual deliverables : 2020

Question 4/1: Economic policies and methods of determining the costs of services related to national telecommunication/ICT networks

The transition to new generations of mobile- and fixed-broadband communications is a never-ending process. Mass penetration of digital services in the digital-economy era exerts a huge economic impact on telecommunication/ICT service providers and consumers.

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Annual deliverables : 2020

Question 4/1: Guidelines on Cost Modelling

The Guidelines focus on the specific practical knowledge required for National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to implement cost-modelling solutions in their countries.

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Question 5/1: Telecommunications/ICTs for rural and remote area

Access to communication services is a prerequisite for the inclusion of rural people in modern society and improving the quality of their lives. But current business models need to be appropriately modified for them to be effective in connecting rural and remote areas.

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration
Annual deliverables : 2020

Question 6/1: Consumer information, protection and rights: Laws, regulation, economic bases, consumer networks

This report covers the evolving regulatory and institutional framework for consumer protection in telecommunications/information and communication technologies (ICTs), including global updates and the implications of reforms at the international, regional and country levels; consumer evolution in the wake of new digital world challenges.

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Annual deliverables : 2020

Question 7/1: Access to telecommunication/ICT services by persons with disabilities and other persons with specific needs

Achieving the global commitment “that no one will be left behind”, as set out by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, will be possible only if ICTs are available, accessible and affordable to all and, in particular, to the disadvantaged groups of society – persons with disabilities, persons with specific needs, including indigenous peoples and people living in rural areas, women and girls, youth and children, as well as older persons.

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration

Study Group 2

Question 1/2: Creating smart cities and society: Employing information and communication technologies for sustainable social and economic development

This report provides methods for building and improving connectivity to support smart cities and societies by exploring: concept design, business models and policy, smart applications, safety and trust, as well as key performance indicators.

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration
Annual deliverables : 2019 | 2020

Question 2/2: Telecommunications/ICTs for eHealth

E-health is in the spotlight; the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and new technologies. This report examines some of the most topical and important issues countries face on the topic of e-health today, including the role and impact of new technologies, standardization, social acceptance and human resource development for e-health.

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Question 3/2: Securing information and communication networks: Best practices for developing a culture of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is critical for secure and safe progress that enables societies to grow. The report explores the latest cybersecurity challenges and sets out lessons for spam and malware, national cybersecurity response planning, child online protection, persons with disabilities, emerging technologies, and protection of personal data.

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Question 4/2: Assistance to developing countries for implementing conformance and interoperability (C&I) programmes and combating counterfeit ICT equipment and theft of mobile devices

This report contains some essential information to help countries and regions establish and implement successful conformance and interoperability programmes for ICT devices, including for the Internet of Things (IoT), and techniques to combat proliferation of counterfeit ICT equipment and theft of mobile devices.

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Question 5/2: Utilizing telecommunications/ICTs for disaster risk reduction and management

Effective disaster management requires timely and effective sharing of information between various stakeholders, and telecommunications/ICTs are essential for that purpose. This report contains some essential information to help countries and regions be prepared for all stages of a disaster through the use of telecommunications/ICTs.

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration
Annual deliverables : 2020

Question 6/2: ICTs and the environment

The report looks at the growing challenge of e-waste and presents existing solutions for its safe disposal and use, through education, awareness, and development of adapted e-waste strategies. It also focuses on how frontier technologies, systems and applications can monitor and reduce the impact of climate change.

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Question 7/2: Strategies and policies concerning human exposure to electromagnetic fields

The report focuses on science-based policies, guidelines, regulations and assessments in respect to human exposure to RF-EMF, based on updated international RF-EMF exposure limits defined by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP Guidelines 2020) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE C95.1-2019).

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Video: music-only, Video: with narration

Committed to connecting the world

ITU-D Study Groups 2018-2021 Publications

Study Group 1

Question 1/1: Strategies and policies for the deployment of broadband in developing countries​

Question 2/1: Strategies, policies, regulations and methods of migration and adoption of digital broadcasting ​

Question 3/1: Emerging technologies, including Cloud Computing, m-services and OTTs: Challenges and opportunities, economic and policy impact for developing countries

Question 4/1: Economic policies and methods of determining the costs of services related to national telecommunication/ICT networks​

Question ​4/1: Guidelines on Cost Modelling

Question 5/1: Telecommunications/ICTs for rural and remote area

Question 6/1: Consumer information, protection and rights: Laws, regulation, economic bases, consumer networks​

Question 7/1: Access to telecommunication/ICT services by persons with disabilities and other persons with specific needs

Study Group 2

Question 1/2: Creating smart cities and society: Employing information and communication technologies for sustainable social and economic development

Question 2/2: Telecommunications/ICTs for eHealth​

Question 3/2: Securing information and communication networks: Best practices for developing a culture of cybersecurity

Question 4/2: Assistance to developing countries for implementing conformance and interoperability (C&I) programmes and combating counterfeit ICT equipment and theft of mobile devices

Question 5/2: Utilizing telecommunications/ICTs for disaster risk reduction and management

Question 6/2: ICTs and the environment

Question 7/2: Strategies and policies concerning human exposure to electromagnetic fields

Question 1/1: Strategies and policies for the deployment of broadband in developing countries

Question 2/1: Strategies, policies, regulations and methods of migration and adoption of digital broadcasting

Question 4/1: Economic policies and methods of determining the costs of services related to national telecommunication/ICT networks

Question 4/1: Guidelines on Cost Modelling

Question 6/1: Consumer information, protection and rights: Laws, regulation, economic bases, consumer networks

Question 7/1: Access to telecommunication/ICT services by persons with disabilities and other persons with specific needs

Question 2/2: Telecommunications/ICTs for eHealth