More ITU involvement needed
Telecommunication in developing countries does not necessarily have the same dynamics as those of the developed world, yet major efforts at the International Telecommunication Union seem to relate to the developed world.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) may have the expertise and experience but often lacks the knowledge of what is needed to drive telecommunications in the developing world.
While many may regard South Africa as part of the developed world, this is not true when it comes to telecommunications. We have come out of many years of isolation. Officially South Africa started participating in ITU activities after 1994 under the leadership of the Department of Communication (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 Africa 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.
ITU processes are involved and often long-winded. To arrive at decisions that affect the whole world is an arduous task and involves many experts assembled from around the world in study groups. The long-drawn out processes on the one hand ensure inclusivity but at other times result in decisions that are superceded by developments. A classic example is in the case of broadcasters. A decision was made that shortwave broadcasters would adopt single sideband as a standard to reduce bandwidth and increase efficiency. Because of the need to give the world time to change over to a new technology, up to seven or more years will lapse before a new standard is implemented. SSB for shortwave broadcasting was superceded by digital rights management (DRM), a digital service that has just been introduced by some of the larger broadcasters in Europe.
African countries 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 2011 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. Get involved, make your input and share your particular experiences and expertise for the good of the country.
WRC11 will take place for four weeks during October/November 2011 (the final dates should be known in Q1 2009). A National Preparatory Group (NPG) meeting will be held during February 2009. At this meeting the NPG structure will be finalised and responsibilities assigned.
2011 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.
It is essential to involve the SADC countries and ultimately lobby the African Telecommunications Union to arrive at an African position that is supportive of South African requirements.
Agenda items to be considered for 2011 include:
–Maritime and aeronautical issues
–Radiolocation and amateur issues
–Fixed mobile and broadcasting issues
–Science issues
–Satellite issues and
–Future work programme.
Industry is urged to join the NPG at its next meeting.
EngineerIT
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