.
Internet-related issues and next-generation networks emerged as key areas. 475
delegates from 75 countries participated.
The 8-day meeting covered a wide range of issues that will impact the future
direction of the telecommunication industry. It made important decisions that
lay the foundations for the next generation of information and communication
technologies. The Assembly also streamlined the ITU-T work programme to achieve
greater efficiency in the production of ITU standards (ITU-T Recommendations).
Areas of work to be covered by study groups were consolidated and, as a result,
an increased scope of study will be achieved with a reduction of some 15 per
cent in the number of study topics (Questions).
"This WTSA has seen much intense deliberation," said Mr Roberto Blois, Deputy
Secretary-General. "We have always to expect that there will be some difference
of opinion. The fact that we have resolved these issues is testament to the
value and power of ITU as an able architect of the standards that underpin the
world’s communications networks," Blois said.
"This Assembly made a great step forward in establishing a study group to
deal with next-generation networks," said Mr José Leite Pereira Filho, Member of
the Board of Directors of Anatel on behalf of the host country. Leite added that
another key achievement of this Assembly has been the approval of a new
resolution, along with a detailed action plan, aimed at bridging the
standardization gap between developed and developing countries. He also stressed
the importance of the consensual decision-making process. "The path you went
through was very laborious, requiring unselfishness, understanding and an
overwhelming disposition of cooperation", he said.
Mr Houlin Zhao, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
(TSB) commended the Chairman for his leadership, his ability to steer the work
of the Assembly to a successful conclusion and for having achieved sound results
consensually, "We agreed new tools, resolutions, decisions and guidelines that
will make ITU-T more efficient and much stronger." Zhao told delegates.
The main highlights of the Assembly include:
A next-generation networks (NGN) focus spanning the work programme of
all study groups
The creation of a new Study Group on NGN
The adoption of new resolutions on Internet-related issues (ENUM, spam,
internationalized domain names, country code top level domain (ccTLD) names)
The adoption of a resolution on cybersecurity
The adoption of measures aimed at enhancing a greater involvement of
developing countries in standardization activities
A group to oversee the sector’s seminar and workshop programme and to
monitor the market for new topic areas
The inclusion of a gender perspective in the work of the ITU-T with the
adoption of a resolution on gender mainstreaming
The setting up of 13 Study Groups with their areas of responsibility and
the designation of their chairmen and vice-chairmen. WTSA also designated
the chairman and vice-chairmen of the telecommunication standardization
advisory group (TSAG)
A request for a study on the economic effect of call-back and other
similar calling practices in developing countries and how they impact on
their ability to develop their telecommunication networks and services
