1. Strategies to Bridge the Standardization Gap
ITU-T Workshop on
Bridging the Standardization Gap
Strategies to Bridge the Standardization Gap
Cyberjaya, 29 June 2010
Arthur Levin
Chief, Services Department
ITU - Telecommunication Standardization Bureau 1

2. Outline Defining the standardization gap Measuring the gap
ITU-T activities to bridge the standardization gap

3. Defining the Standardization Gap
Disparities in the ability to access, implement, contribute to and influence international ICT standards (ITU Recommendations)
Disparities in the representation of developing countries relative to developed countries, cause and manifestation of:
Persistence of the wider digital divide in ICTs (among different regions and groups within the society)
Unequal access to technology and the ability to use that technology
Digital divide measures disparities
among different regions (e.g., urban/rural), or
between different groups within society
(e.g., by age, sex, race, income, etc)
Example Africa DSL 3

4. Framework for BSG PP Resolution 123 (Rev. Antalya, 2006)
Recognizing “the continued shortage of human resources in the standardization field of developing countries, resulting in a low level of developing country participation in ITU-T and ITU-R meetings …”
Resolution 44 (WTSA-04): Action Plan
Strengthening standards-making capabilities
Assisting ITU-D in enhancing application of standards
Human resource building
Flagship groups for bridging the gap
Fundraising
Resolution 47 (WTDC-06)
Enhancement of knowledge and effective application of ITU Recommendations in developing countries 4

5. Measuring the Gap Number of TIES users
Number of downloads of ITU-T Recs. from website site
Number of Sector Members and Associates
Number of chairmen, vice-chairmen and rapporteurs from developing countries
Number of participants in meetings and contributions by country

6. The Standardization Development Ladder
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
The Standardization Development Ladder
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
Bridging the standardization development gap requires a sequence of steps, depending on the level of:
economic development
local manufacturing capability
local R&D capability
previous engagement with ITU
These steps can be conceptualized in terms of a “Ladder of Standardization Development”
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 6

7. Standardization Development Ladder (1)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Standardization Development Ladder (1)
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
On the lowest rung of the ladder is the growing usage of ITU Recommendations and website
This can be measured in terms of sales or downloads of Recommendations
Use of international standards in ICT procurement should help to reduce costs and promote inter-operability
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing use of ITU
Recommendations 7

8. Standardization Development Ladder (1)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Standardization Development Ladder (1)
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
ITU-T’s policy of making Recommendations free of charge online has led to increased usage from developing countries
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
2006
4’815 sales to 78 economies
2007, Jan-Aug
>1.9m downloads from 197 economies
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 8

9. Top ten developing and transition economies, by number of downloads
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Top ten developing and transition economies, by number of downloads
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
Free Downloads from ITU-T website, Jan-May Source: ITU-T Web Trends
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 9

10. Standardization Development Ladder (2)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Standardization Development Ladder (2)
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
On the second rung of the ladder is the national capacity-building in use of ITU Recommendations, helping to build a national resource base of engineers able to implement Recommendations
ITU can provide capacity-building and training programmes (eg centres of excellence)
Standardization Gap Fund facilitates participation of developing country experts in standardization work
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 10

11. Standardization Development Ladder (3)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Standardization Development Ladder (3)
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
On the third rung of the ladder is ITU Sector and Associate membership
Institutional membership in the global community helps promote globalization while off-setting its negative aspects
Membership also gives access to meeting reports, contributions, temporary documents, working documents etc
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector and Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 11

12. ITU-T Sector Members and Associates
*About one third of ITU-T Sector Members are from developing countries but only one sixth of Associates

13. Standardization Development Ladder (4)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
On the 4th rung of the ladder is participation in Study Groups and Focus Groups
Participation promotes “learning by doing” and opens possibilities for networking
Possibilities also exist for remote participation (e.g., through Internet Broadcast of Study Group meetings, correspondence groups, remote collaboration tools etc)
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 13

14. Participation in ITU-T Meetings
Distribution of delegates to ITU-T Meetings (%)

15. ITU-T Members and TIES

16. Standardization Development Ladder (5)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
On the 5th rung, countries may seek to attract ITU meetings, or establish regional groups to foster participation
Hosting events will create new opportunities for “learning by doing”, training and raising awareness
An increasing number of joint ITU-T/ITU-D Study Groups, Focus Groups and workshops are now held in the regions
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 16

17. Standardization Development Ladder (6)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
On the 6th rung of the ladder is Giving “contributions” (i.e. input documents) at ITU-T Study Groups, Focus Groups and related meetings
By making inputs to the process, it is possible to shape future standards
The whole standardization process is “contribution-driven”, as these form the basis for virtually all Recommendations
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 17

18. Participation : Contributions

19. Standardization Development Ladder (7)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
On the 7th rung of the ladder is Nominating representatives, eg to serve as Study Group chairs, vice chairs, rapporteurs etc
These officials form part of the management team for each Study Group and help progress the work
Nomination is a sign of respect for the contributions made by individuals over a number of years
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 19

20. Participation in ITU-T Leadership

21. Standardization Development Ladder (8)
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Standardization Development Ladder (8)
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
On the final rung of the ladder is Entering Proposals, in TSAG and WTSA, eg on future study questions and work programmes
ITU-T’s work is structured around study questions which determine the work of the Study Groups
World Telecom Standardization Assembly (WTSA) was held in Johannesburg from October 2008, preceded by a Global Standards Symposium (GSS)
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 21

22. So, what can be done to bridge the standardization development gap?
Entering proposals at WTSA
on future study questions
and work programmes
Nominating representatives
as study group chairs, vice -
chairs.
rapporteurs
, focus
group chairs etc
Giving contributions at
Study Groups and
related meetings
So, what can be done to bridge the standardization development gap?
Attracting ITU meetings
and/or regional groups
(Res 54)
Going to Study
Groups and related
meetings
ITU Sector or Associate
Membership
National training and
capacity -
building in use of
ITU Recommendations
Growing usage of ITU
Recommendations 22

23. Standards Capability Index
Joint Project with TTA
Tools for Assessing Standards Capability
Q Sent to all developing countries
Data will be used to compile index of readiness
Useful in targeting best practices and solutions

24. Report on Measuring and Reducing the Standards Gap
Analyzes the Gap and shows the importance of standards for developing countries
Set of case studies
Set of Best Practices
National standards strategy
National standards advisory council
Key ITU Actions
BSG toolkit
Research and advice
Online knowledge repository
Guidelines on use of ITU-T recommendations

25. TechWatch reports
Identify new/emerging technologies with a view to identify areas for new standardization work, such as:
Food Security (August 2009)
The Future Internet (April 2009)
Distributed Computing: Utilities, Grids & Clouds (March 2009)
Standardization Activities for Intelligent Transport Systems (October 2008)
NGNs and energy efficiency (August 2008)
Technical aspects of Lawful Interception (May 2008) …

26. Remote collaboration and participation: online tools
Free access to ITU-T Recommendations online (since 1 January 2007)
TIES access (password protected) to meeting documents etc
Other electronic tools, e.g., correspondence groups, informal FTP areas on website, Forums etc
Remote participation via webinar (GotoMeeting, GoToWebinar, Webex)

27. Resolution 54 : Creation of regional groups
Regional Groups Support within available (or otherwise contributed resources) and on a case-by-case basis the creation of regional groups
ITU-T RGs: SG2 SG3 SG6 SG12

28. ITU-T major events in developing countries
Forum on "Implementation of decisions of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly-08 (WTSA-08)“, Accra, Ghana June 2009
ITU Symposium on ICTs and Climate Change Quito, Ecuador 8-10 July 2009
Kaleidoscope event: Innovations for Digital Inclusion Mar del Plata, Argentina, 31 Aug-1 Sept. 2009
Workshop on BSG, Fiji Sept. 2009
Regional Consultations on Conformance Assessment and Interoperability
Quito: July 2010
Nairobi: July 2010

29. Thank you