RESOLUTION 101 (Minneapolis, 1998)
Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks
The
Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunication Union
(Minneapolis, 1998),
considering
a) that advances in the
global information infrastructure, including the development of Internet
Protocol (IP)-based networks and especially the Internet, are an issue of
crucial importance to the future, as an important engine for growth in the
world economy in the twenty-first century;
b) that the increased
use of the Internet is replacing existing services and introducing new ones
based on its highly advanced technology: the utilization of e-mail has become
commonplace, voice over Internet is being developed rapidly;
c) that IP-based networks
will continue to introduce dramatic changes in the way we acquire, produce,
circulate and consume information;
d) that active discussions
are being held in international and regional organizations on electronic
commerce over IP-based networks,
considering further
a) that a study has started
in the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) on the promotion of
infrastructure and the use of the Internet in developing countries;
b) that studies have already
started in the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) on IP-based
network issues, including service interoperability with other telecommunication
networks, numbering, signalling requirements and protocol aspects, security and
infrastructure component costs;
c) that a general
cooperation agreement between ITU-T and the Internet Society (ISOC) and its
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has recently been established,
recognizing
a) that IP-based networks
have evolved to a widely accessible medium used for global commerce and
communication, and there is therefore a need to identify the global activities
related to
IP-based networks with respect to, for example:
i) infrastructure, interoperability and standardization;
ii) Internet naming and addressing;
iii) dissemination
of information about IP-based networks and the implications of their
development for ITU Member States, particularly the least developed countries;
b) that significant work on
IP-related issues is being conducted within ITU and many other international
bodies;
c) that it is in the public
interest that IP-based networks and other telecommunication networks should be
able to interoperate so as to provide the quality of service required by users,
encourages
a) ITU-T to continue its
collaborative activities on IP-based networks with ISOC/IETF;
b) all Sectors to consider
their future work programmes on IP-based networks,
resolves
1 that ITU shall fully embrace the
opportunities for telecommunication development that arise from the growth of
IP-based services;
2 that ITU shall clearly identify, for its
Member States and Sector Members and for the general public, the range of
Internet-related issues that fall within the responsibilities incumbent on the
Union under its Constitution;
3 that ITU shall collaborate with other
relevant organizations to ensure that growth in IP networking delivers
maximum benefits to the global community, and participate as appropriate in any
directly related international initiative,
instructs the Secretary-General
1 to prepare a report to the Council, as
soon as possible, with the appropriate input from Member States, Sector
Members, the three Sectors and the General Secretariat, that provides a
comprehensive summary both of the activities that ITU is already undertaking in
regard to IP-based networks and of the roles and activities of other relevant
international organizations, describing their involvement in IP-based network
issues; the report shall indicate the degree of cooperation between ITU and
these organizations, drawing the required information wherever possible from
existing sources, and shall be distributed widely among the Member States and
Sector Members, the advisory bodies of the three Sectors and other groups
involved;
2 based on this report, to consult with
other international bodies on any need for ITU to start additional collaborative
activities related to IP-based networks,
invites the Council
to consider
the above-mentioned report and, if appropriate, recommend further steps,
invites the Member States and Sector Members
1 to participate in and follow the
progress of the current work of the Sectors of the Union;
2 to increase awareness at national level
among all interested non-governmental parties and to encourage their
participation in relevant ITU activities.