1. ICT STANDARDIZATION IN THE PACIFIC PAPUA NEW GUINEA CASE
ITU Regional Standardization Forum for Asia-Pacific Region
(Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014)
ICT STANDARDIZATION IN THE PACIFIC PAPUA NEW GUINEA CASE
Felix Rupokei,
National ICT Authority,
Papua New Guinea

2. Presentation Outline Background PNG Setting ICT Industry in PNG
Standardization Bodies
NICTA Institutional Arrangement
Standardization Development Ladder
Standardization Challenges
Current Status
International Assistance
Way Forward
Conclusion
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

3. PNG Setting Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014
Land Mass sq km
Population million
Languages -English, Pidgin & 800 local
Geography - Rugged terrain with high mountain ranges and very steep and deep valleys and over 600 associated islands.
Economy – Agriculture & cash crops (cocoa, coffee, copra, palm oil), forestry, fisheries and mining (Gold, copper, oil, , Gas and Nickel)
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

4. ICT Industry in PNG (x1) (x3) (x36) (x3) Fixed Mobile ISP
3ABN
Kundu TV
TV BC
(x3)
RADIO
MMDS
CATV
Unlicensed VSATs
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

5. Standardization Bodies
Government Agency responsible for spear heading standardization and quality assurance related activities in PNG
Its functions cover technical standards, metrology, conformity assessment schemes, productivity and technical barriers to trade in Papua New Guinea
Member of ISO
National Information and Communications Technology Authority
Converged ICT Regulator.
In charge to regulate, radio, Telecom, Broadcasting etc.
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

6. National ICT Authority -NICTA
MINISTER
Government Ministry of ICT Department
BOARD
NICTA Board
CEO
NICTA Chief Executive Officer
Organizational
Departments
ERP LE
CDS
ECIA
Government regulatory body established by an Act of Parliament to regulate ICT industry in PNG.
Main agency that oversees ICT Standards in PNG.
Conducts type approval of ICT equipment
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

7. Legislation National ICT Act, 2009 Objectives
The main legislation that provides powers, functions, obligations and responsibilities of NICTA is the :
National ICT Act, 2009
National ICT (Operator Regulation) 2010, and
National ICT (Radio Spectrum Regulation) ,2010.
Objectives
To ensure that the ICT industry contributes to the greatest extent possible to the long-term economic and social development of PNG, taking account of the constitutional National Goals and Directive Principles
Regulatory Principles
Regulate ICT in a manner that recognises;
Effectiveness of market forces to promote consumer welfare
That regulatory measures be: proportional, principled, technology neutral, transparent; timely ,and non-discriminatory
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

8. Standardization in Developing Countries
ITU categorized developing countries into four national categories of standards readiness.
*ITU-T Research project: Measuring and Reducing the Standards Gap: December 2009*.
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

9. National Standards Capability Scale
ITU categorize developing countries into four levels;
Level 1
Low Standards Capability
Level 2
Basic Standards Capability
Level 3
Intermediate Standards Capability
Level 4
Advanced Standards Capability
PNG is at
Level 1
Figure: ITU-T Research project: Measuring and Reducing the Standards Gap. December 2009
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

10. PNG ICT Standardization Challenges
Government
Within Organization
Industry
International
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

11. ICT Standardization Challenges-Government
Low Priority to ICT Standardization activities
Lack of policy that encourage national standards formulation and capacity building
Lack of Collaboration between ministry, industry, academia , etc
Lack of funding for testing equipment
Lack of government understanding about the critical role of standards in promoting national economic competitiveness and innovation
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

12. ICT Standardization Challenges-NICTA
Human Resource
Staff consistency
Staff deficiency
Lack of expertise in Standardization
Interpreting ITU-T and ITU-R recommendations in Standard making Process
Identification of suitable international standards applicable to PNG
Keep up to date with technological changes
Guideline/Framework
No clear standardization framework
Regulatory-Priority
Nicta priority in economic regulation and administration aspect
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

13. ICT Standardization Challenges-ICT Industries
Lack of Industry Participation
Low feedback/comments to draft standards documents
Lack of compliance to technical standards
Limited knowledge in ICT Standardization and ITU recommendations
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

14. ICT Standardization Challenges-International
Involvement in International Standard Development Process
Identification of international standards applicable to PNG
Keep up date with technological Changes
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

15. Current Status
Held discussion with other standardization organizations to address standardization issues.
Weak Collaboration with Industry
Review of legislation - NICT Act
Increased participation in ASTAP forum and other apt/itu activities

16. PNG - ICT Standardization Development Ladder
Factors determining standardizations levels
Economic development
Local manufacturing capability
Local R&D capability
Entering proposals at WTSA
Nominating representatives as study groups chairs, rapp etc
Is it necessary to cover all rungs for the case of Level 1 (ICT product end users) countries like PNG?
Which rung is more relevant to the PNG case (level 1 countries) for more participation
Giving contribution at study Groups and related meetings
Attracting ITU meetings and/or regional groups
Going to Study Groups and Related Meetings
Learning by doing
Engaging with ITU standardization development by getting more involved
ITU Sector or Associate Membership
National training and capacity-building in use of ITU-Recommendation
Growing usage of ITU Recommendation
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

17. International Assistance
- Korea
Gain insight into the standardization process for Korea
Process for standard roadmap and/or research project for standards
Study Visit to TTA-Korea-November 2013
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

18. Way Forward Develop Standardization Policy with clear goals
Effective participation in APT/ITU standardization activities.
National Training and capacity building in use of ITU recommendations
Need to strengthen domestic standards institutions
Need for wider industry participation in standardization
Sufficient Staffing
Build domestic alliance & Partnership
Identify issues and/or potential agenda in advance
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

19. Conclusion
Standardization is important for PNG and it need urgent attention to the issues.
Strengthened domestic institutions;
Promote use of TIES to access ITU Recommendations;
Active participation in APT activities;
Bring issues to APT preparatory meetings;
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

20. END THANK YOU frupokei@nicta.gov.pg www.nicta.gov.pg
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

21. Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

22. Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

23. Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014

24. Need Establish ICT standardization capacity building program
Establish public-private partnerships for ICT standardization activities at the national level.
How to attract private sector and academia involvement in standardization activities
Develop human resource to undertake standardization work.
Guideline for setting up national standards
Participation in global standardization
Provision of training on development of ICT standards
Sponsor experts to participate in international standardization activities
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 August 2014