The Council of the International Telecommunication Union has agreed a new series of initiatives designed to take it into the next century: the initiatives will now be put forward for consideration by the Union’s Plenipotentiary Conference, its top policy-making body, which meets every four years, with its next meeting scheduled for September this year in Kyoto, Japan. The plan stems from a decision to change the Union’s focus in recognition that the telecommunications sector is more market-led than when it was originally established. Specifically, the council decided on a three-pronged plan. It is to draw up a study document Conference which will look at the expectations of the Telecommunications Union members, as well as how non-member administrations should be allowed to participate in the activities; a new forum is planned for members to debate telecommunications policies and strategies. The forum would not necessarily result in new regulations, says the Union, but could be used to discuss emerging issues such as next-generation services, regulatory issues, and new generation infrastructures, such as the Global Information Infrastructure; and to increase the influence of the Union through strategic alliances with other telecommunications organisations particularly those involved in large-scale peace, security and development projects. In addition to this broad plan, the Union has drawn up a set of objectives for the Radio communications, Standardisation, and Development sectors. As regards radio communications, it wants to firm up its criteria for frequency sharing and co-ordinating new and existing systems for space and terrestrial communications, as well as simplifying its radio regulations and encouraging more participation by its members, particularly those in developing countries. It also wants to develop automated spectrum management systems. As part of its plan to keep its position as a leading telecommunications standardisation body, the Union also says it wants to adopt a market-oriented approach while defining its role as regards regional standardisation bodies and other industry groupings, with which it also wants to forge closer relationships. Finally, the Telecommunications Union wants to help countries particularly developing ones – to set up harmonised telecommunications policies through education and, where applicable, partnerships.
