Bridging the Standardization Gap A case of Thailand ITU-T FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WTSA-08 DECISIONS AND WORKSHOP ON BRIDGING THE STANDARDIZATION GAP (Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009) Bridging the Standardization Gap A case of Thailand Saneh Saiwong, Acting Director, Telecom Standards, NTC, Thailand Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Thailand Telecom Standardization NTC ITU North TISI APT (ASTAP) Other entities ASEAN (ATRC/ ACCSQ) SDOs APEC (TEL WG) Fora ASEM Consortia Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Typical Challenges/Barriers (common to developing countries) Too many SDOs Lack of funds No standard activities Inadequate manpower Importing economy Less manufacturer Lack of expertise Technology adopters not Innovators Lack of interest and many others more … Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Challenges/Barriers Resource & Standardization Infrastructure System Policy & Legislation Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Policy & Legislation Legislation (Acts) Implementation & Rules & Power and authority Clear provisions on mandatory standards Legislation (Acts) Implementation & Enforcement Rules & Regulations Policy (Framework) Technical standards Conformity assessments CABs (testing and certification facilities) System Procedures Framework for standard development Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Standardization System Mandatory Standards (Technical Regulations) Developed and promulgated by NTC (in close association with TISI) Non-mandatory (Voluntary) Standards Developed by other SDOs or entities (Not many, but emerging. Mostly from private sector-led forum or non-profit organizations) Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Standard-making Procedure (mandatory standards) Standing committee Closed participation (appointed) Members - stakeholders Public participation via public consultation meetings Ad hoc sub-committee Closed participation (appointed) Members – stakeholders No limitation on number of sub-committee Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Resource & Infrastructure Personnel (international standardization) Encouraging participants from operators More involvement of academia & researchers Selective areas of standardization (e.g., SG 3, 5, 17) Continuity of experts Forming a pool of experts for each area of interest Tangible results (may be KPI-based) Funding mechanism & process Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Resource & Infrastructure Funding mechanism - Creation of TRIDI (Telecommunication Research and Industry Development Institute) Part of license fees (from operators) goes to TRIDI (currently about 2%) Two-fold objectives Provide funding to researchers and will expand it to cover funding for standardization activities Grant scholarships to students to become academia/researchers Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Resource & Infrastructure Testing facilities Have a plan to set up a testing facility with initial funding from NTC – later should be self-funded – in area where there is no duplication of testing service Encourage networking among local testing facilities MRA Provide acceptance of conformity assessment results among ASEAN/APEC member countries Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Conclusions from our viewpoint To bridge the standardization gap Require concrete and implementable standardization system in place Require clear mandate & policy Require strong commitment from decision-makers in organization Case of Thailand - still in its infancy Hopefully can be used as guidance to other developing countries in AP Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Suggestions to ITU Involvement of academia & researchers – Kaleidoscope event Reduce membership fee Actions under Res. 71 & Res.74 might help Aggressive campaign to raise awareness of participation and also to applicability of its standards Promote networking, collaboration & cooperation among stakeholders Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009

Thank you saneh@ntc.or.th ITU-T FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WTSA-08 DECISIONS AND WORKSHOP ON BRIDGING THE STANDARDIZATION GAP (Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009) Thank you saneh@ntc.or.th Nadi, Fiji, 16-17 September 2009