Background of World Conference of International Telecommunication (WCTI-12)

International Telecom Union (ITU) convened a meeting from 3rd to 14th December 2012, at Dubai to review the draft International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs). The purpose and the scope of the draft resolution is to find out a better communication system in today’s world. The main focus will be on the modern communication tools like internet, phone and the computer. In 1988, 178 member countries of ITU agreed to ITR at Word Administrative Telegraph and Telephone conference in Melbourne. The Melbourne Regulation came into force in the year of 1990. The main object of the ITR treaty was to provide a smooth communication system to the international community. ITR provided the guidelines on the tariffs exchanged between different carriers, the method of calculating the charges and the procedure of dispute settlement. ITR laid down the foundation of privatization of telecommunication sector and encourage the competition among the service providers. The net result of their approach is efficient communication at a lower cost.
From the beginning of the twenty first century, the communication technology was changed significantly. The increase use of network, inexpensive communication through mobile phones and new technology creates a huge market of telecommunication industries. In this environment, the main concern of the industry is the privacy of the customer. Industry also has to built an infrastructure to cope with the enormous growth of the market.
In this scenario, the member countries felt the need of revamping the old ITR. All the countries agreed in the point that International co-operation is required to face the challenge of current situation. It is not possible for the Government alone to solve the problem. Government can play the regulatory roles and the required investment will come from the private investment. The public and private partnership can only provide the satisfactory services to the customers and maintain the security and privacy of the customers. To meet the objective, ITU includes the members from the private companies, scientific and industrial organizations, financial institutes and telecom industries. About 200 academic institutes also participated in the activities.

A working group was formed to chalk out a draft resolution for changing the old regulation. The draft resolution has proposed some changes and included some new suggestions. Major propose changes and the additions were recommended in the following fields:

• Human right of access to communications
• International frameworks
• Interconnection and interoperability
• Security in the use of ICTs
• Protection of critical national resources
• Convergence.

ITU convened the World Conference of International Telecommunication (WCTI-12) to introduce a new binding regulation on the basis of draft resolution submitted by the working group. WCIT Chairperson Mohamed Al Ghanim mentions that the draft resolution is a major breakthrough. The final treaty will ensure the equitable and affordable access the communication to all sections of people.
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