Don’t take a back seat with the ITU
During the not so bright years in our past South Africa was barred from taking part in the activities of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), but now that we are full members again we are acting like ostriches, sticking our heads in the sand. We need to become proactive participants and industry must play its part. Let me explain why…
Telecommunications in developing countries does not necessarily have the same dynamics as those of the developed world; yet major efforts at the ITU seem to all revolve around the developed nations. While we may be partially part of the developed block when it comes to telecommunications we are still very much part of the developing world in other respects – a lack of adequate broadband attests to this!
The ITU may have the expertise and experience but often lacks the knowledge of what is needed to drive telecommunications in developing nations.
Officially South Africa started participating in ITU activities after 1994 under the leadership of the Department of Communications (DoC). Participation at the World Radio Conferences (WRC) was, up to the last one in 2007, limited to government officials and a few industries in South Africa who are sector members.
For the 2007 conference, an industry preparatory group was formed under the DoC umbrella which participated in developing a South African position on the various agenda items. Although some industry players have been part of the South African delegations to WRCs since 1995, this was the first serious attempt to involve a wider spectrum of industry and to overcome the lack of participation from certain key players.
Decisions made at the ITU WRCs affect every user of the radio spectrum from broadcasters to astronomers, from telecommunication companies to radio amateurs. ICASA develops and promulgates many of its regulations based on determinations made at WRCs.
The term “conference” is something of a misnomer. This is not a gathering where speakers present papers to an audience, but is a meeting of world experts whose task it is to revise the international radio regulations, which form an international treaty.
South Africa must become more involved and participate in study groups. This has two advantages. Firstly African conditions and needs are considered and secondly experience is gained from working with the experts who have been involved for many years.
The DoC has already started work on the preparation for the 2012 World Radio Conference and has invited industry, and all users of the radio spectrum, to become involved in the preparatory group meetings. From discussions with some companies, they consider it a waste of resources, yet if decisions do not go the way they would like to see, they become critical of South Africa’s delegation to the conference.
2012 may seem a long way away; however there is much work to be done (European countries started their preparations for WRC-11 in February 2008). A South African position must be developed for each of the nearly 40 agenda items.
Agenda items to be considered for 2012 include:
- Maritime and aeronautical issues
- Radiolocation and amateur issues
- Fixed mobile and broadcasting issues
- Science issues
- Satellite issues and
- Future work programme.
For more information visit the DoC website www.doc.gov.za
Don’t take a back seat with the ITU
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