European Preparations
for WTSA-16
Reiner Liebler, Federal Network Agency, Germany
CITEL Meeting, Lima, August 2016
Overview
 CEPT Preparation Process for WTSA-16
 Four finalized ECPs for WTSA-16
 Topics for potential further ECPs
CEPT
 European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
(Conférence européenne des administrations des postes et des
télécommunications - CEPT) was established in 1959
 CEPT currently comprises 48 member countries: Albania, Andorra, Austria,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San
Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,
Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vatican City
CEPT Preparation Process for WTSA-16
 Project Team on Strategic ITU-T Issues (PT ITU-T) was tasked in
April 2015 by ComITU to coordinate actions for the WTSA-16
preparation and actions during the WTSA-16
 PT ITU-T to coordinate drafting of European Common Proposals
(ECPs) and CEPT Briefs; ComITU Plenary approval necessary
 PT ITU-T to consult relevant stakeholders and to seek support for
ECPs from other Regions
 ComITU chair, Manuel da Costa Cabral (Portugal) and PT ITU-T
chair, Reiner Liebler (Germany) are responsible for WTSA-16 CEPT
overall-coordination; individual coordinators for each ECP
Finalized ECPs for WTSA-16
First set of ECPs approved by ComITU Plenary, April 2016:
 ECP-1: Principles for ITU-T Review
 ECP-2: Strategic and Structural Review of ITU-T
 ECP-3: Stabilization for Rec. ITU-T A.7 on Focus Groups
 ECP-4: Review of ITU-T Resolution 68 (CTO Group)
ECP-1: Principles for ITU-T Review
 There is a need to look at the best way to organise ITU-T in order to
allow for the most effective and efficient environment:
 in which the ITU-T sector can work on its agreed priorities and
activities,
 which is consistent with the ITU's strategic and financial plans
 Therefore ECP-1 specifies principles to be applied when reviewing :
 the existing ITU-T structure
 cooperation between ITU-T groups
 cooperation with other standards bodies
 ITU-T working methods and procedures
ECP-1: Strategic principles
 Maintain leadership on ITU-T core domain as key enablers for
telecommunications’ market
 Ensure ITU-T is, within its competence and remit, ready to
accommodate new technology trends and non-ICT sectors’ needs
where appropriate and relevant in the global standardization
landscape
 Enhance the cooperation with other standards bodies, with a view to
developing synergies and minimizing conflicts between standards
 Provide for the needs of Developing Countries whilst ensuring
intersectorial co-ordination with ITU- D activities in order to avoid
duplication of activities
ECP-1: Operational and financial
principles
 Ensure harmonisation and/or avoid overlapping of work within or
between ITU-T study groups Improve the efficiency and optimise the
use of technical expertise in ITU-T
 Minimise overall costs for ITU-T
 Clarify the nature of ITU-T deliverables
 Ensure appropriate balance between rights of members and nonmembers in order to maintain attractiveness of the ITU-T membership
ECP-1: Conclusion
 Europe seeks a structure for ITU-T study groups and associated
forums (Focus Groups, Joint Coordination Activities) that:
 leverages the expertise of the membership
 provides for efficient and effective working to minimise costs to
both ITU and to members
 ensures transparency
 ensures no duplication of effort, within the ITU, or with other
SDOs
 enables it to work co-operatively and in a collaborative manner in
support of ITU’s contribution to the development of global
standards whereby ITU-T should focus on its defined core
competence
ECP-1: Conclusion
 Europe also hopes that WTSA will be able to agree on tools that will:
 contribute to improving cooperation with other SDOs (including
issues outlined in WTSA-12 Resolution 81)
 enhance transparency and efficiency
 promote innovation
 facilitate the participation of relevant and new market players in
ITU-T standardisation activities (e.g. utilities, healthcare,
automotive industry, etc.)
ECP-2: Strategic and Structural Review
of ITU-T
 WTSA-12 established RevCom (Resolution 82)
 Several proposals from RevCom have already been implemented by
TSAG
 RevCom will present its report to WTSA-16 – fulfilling its mandate
successfully
 TSAG has established the Rapporteur Group on Standardization
Strategy (RG-SS)
 TSAG has agreed to meet more often and for longer time in 20162020
 Thus TSAG will have more time for strategic and structural review
ECP-2: Strategic and Structural Review
of ITU-T
 ECP-2:
 Delete Resolution 82 and continue review activities within TSAG
 Modify Resolution 22 to reinforce TSAGs role in reviewing the
strategy and structure of ITU-T
ECP-3: Stabilization for Rec. ITU-T A.7
on Focus Groups
 Observations:
 The possibility of having FGs has been defined on an exceptional
basis and for (limited) particular issues
 Resources for activities within ITU-T are limited (FGs can divert
resources from SGs)
 ECP-3:
 ITUT-T A.7 is mature and does not need further modifications
 ITU-T A. 7 should thus be maintained at WTSA-16 without
changes
 Appendix 1 agreed at 2015 TSAG meeting should be formally
included at WTSA-16
ECP-4: Review of ITU-T Resolution 68
(CTO Group)
 Europe proposes to revise Resolution 68 dedicated to the role of industry
within ITU-T – defining in particular the CTO (Chief Technology Officer)
Group
 Industry is leading the greatest part of ITU-T standardisation activities (i.e.
270 Sector Members participate in SGs)
 Conclusions of CTO Meetings have been reflected in ITU-T Communiques
and when relevant implemented by TSAG
 ECP-4:
 CTO Meetings should continue
 CTO membership should be stable with members being recognized for
their contributions to ITU-T standardisation activities
 CTO should include representation from all regions
 CTO outcomes should be formally addressed in ITU-T
Topics for further ECPs
 Currently ComITU is in the process of preparing potential ECPs on
the following additional topics:
 Detailed proposals for restructuring
 Numbering (several)
 Internet Resolutions (several)
 Mandate of SG3 (Resolution 2)
 Duplication of work (Resolution 1)
 Transparency and clarity of ITU-T deliverables