Study Group work programme

The Istanbul Action Plan includes a series of studies to be undertaken by the membership in the next four years with a view to proposing best practices, recommendations and policy guidelines for the benefit of developing countries. Known as “Questions”, the new topics approved at the Conference reflect the key concerns of developing countries and cover a wide range of issues such as universal access, interconnection, introduction of IP technologies, e-commerce and e-health, migration of mobile networks from first or second to third-generation and migration from circuit-switched to packet-switched networks.

New questions also include issues such as the domestic enforcement of laws, rules and regulations on telecommunications by national telecommunication regulatory authorities, satellite regulation and the valuation of spectrum to enable developing countries, in particular LDCs, to elaborate a national frequency fee calculation model for the various charges and fees levied on spectrum users.

Other measures adopted by the Conference with respect to study groups include the flexibility to set up focus groups or project groups to address emerging issues that require rapid reaction in order to meet the requirements of developing countries in a timely manner.

Cross-cutting activities

Statistics and information on telecommunications/ICTs

Statistics and analysis explaining trends are crucial for benchmarking countries, evaluating e-readiness and making informed national policy, legislation and regulatory choices for both ICT and telecommunication development. Statistics and analysis form the basis for objective and measurable indicators on what is happening in the global information economy and society.

BDT has therefore been tasked to continue its work in data collection and analysis forming the basis for its World Telecommunication Development Report, and Yearbook of Statistics. In addition, it will produce reports providing comparisons of e-readiness and recommendations to improve e-readiness.

It will also conduct case studies and produce reports highlighting telecommunication/ICT market developments and trends. It will provide expert assistance to countries on how to collect, compile and disseminate telecommunication/ICT indicators and will organize symposia/seminars for regulators, national statistical agencies, telecommunication/ICT organizations and policy-makers which provide a forum for the exchange of opinions, views and experiences among countries on collection and use of such indicators. Seminars will also be organized in collaboration with regional and sub-regional telecommunication organizations to provide a forum for the discussion of digital divide issues, including Internet development and barriers.

Partnerships and promotion

In order mobilize additional resources to support development projects, BDT will develop and implement strategies and campaigns to promote public-private sector partnerships and strengthen the role of the private sector in telecommunication development. To this end, BDT will create a new access Portal to Private Sector Investment Initiatives, with an entry by country, giving easy access to direct investment favourable information (e.g. success stories, projects for environment improvement) or links to information provided by other organizations. A database of all kinds of partnership agreements between BDT and private and public sector organizations and companies will also be created and participation of various types of partners in the development of networks and services will be facilitated by promoting mutually beneficial partnerships and alliances.