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ITU Conformity and Interoperability Portal

 

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​Conformity with international standards such as ITU Recommendations is one of the core principles underlying the global interoperability of ICT networks, devices and services.

The ITU Conformity and Interoperability (C&I) programme was initiated at the request of ITU’s membership to enhance the conformity and interoperability of ICT products implementing ITU Recommendations or part thereof, solicit feedback to improve the quality of ITU Recommendations, and reduce the digital divide and the Standardization Gap by assisting developing countries with human resource and infrastructure capacity building.

The ITU C&I Programme is organized in accordance with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference Resolution 177 in four pillars:​


Pillar 1. Conformity assessment

Conformity assessment is the process used to demonstrate that a product, service or system conform to specified requirements and commonly used by many standard development organizations (SDOs).  By promoting conformity assessment relevant to ITU-T Recommendations and showcasing product conform to ITU-T Recommendations, Pillar 1 of the ITU C&I Programme aims to ensure the strategic goal of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) to develop interoperable, non-discriminatory and demand-driven international standards for International telecommunication. 

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Pillar 2. Interoperability events

Although conformity assessment increases the probability of interoperability, interoperability can only be guaranteed through practical tests of interconnected equipment and services from different vendors. Self-funding “interoperability events” are run by many SDOs to verify their standards and facilitate their members’ to delivery ‘standardized’ product timely to market. Under Pillar 2, ITU-TSB organizes interoperability testing and showcasing events upon request of ITU-T membership as an integral step of standard-making process. 

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Pillar 3. Capacity building

​ITU is implementing human resources capacity building in the regions on conformity, interoperability and testing and will also be organized in cooperation with other relevant regional and international organizations to clarify fundamental aspects as accreditation, certification, mutual recognition agreements and to explore the possibility to establish test centers in developing countries.

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Pillar 4. Assistance in the establishment of test centres and C&I Programmes in developing countries

This activity is intended to facilitate the establishment of regional or sub regional conformity and interoperability test centers and to encourage Mutual Recognition Agreements/Arrangements as appropriate. Guidelines have been prepared by the BDT in this aim and will provide basic elements to establish a strategy to establish test centers, including technical, human and instrumental resources, international standards and financial issues. 

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