Nadi, Fiji, September 2009 View from PI States Joseph Kim, PANGTEL – PAPUA NEW GUINEA ITU-T FORUM ON IMPLEMENTATION OF WTSA-08 DECISIONS AND WORKSHOP ON BRIDGING THE STANDARDIZATION GAP (Nadi, Fiji, September 2009)

Presentation Introduction What is Standardization Development Gap (SDG)? Why is SDG important for PNG? Impact of SDG on PNG ITU ICT standardization ladder Standards issuance process in PNG What can LDC do? Conclusion Way forward Nadi, Fiji, September

Introduction Standardization development gap exists in PNG and manifests itself in various forms; Within the ICT/Telecommunication sector but more so in the other social economic sectors; Challenges in ensuring compatibility, interoperability, and migration to newer/proven technologies; Nadi, Fiji, September

4 T he WSIS has the challenge to harness the potential of ICT to promote MDGs… Doha Action Plan of ITU-D (Resolution 52): “e- strategies and ICT applications” where developing countries are encouraged to use ICT based products, networks, services and applications to realize social economic benefits and improve quality of life…ultimately closing the digital divide… WSIS (World Summit on Information Society) Still an issue for Papua New Guinea

Why is it important? Nadi, Fiji, September ADB report March 2003, notes that PNG lags in achieving most of the MDGs ADB report March 2003, notes that PNG lags in achieving most of the MDGs

Nadi, Fiji, September What is the Standardization Development Gap? The Standardization Development Gap may be defined as disparities in the ability of representatives of developing countries, relative to developing ones, to access, implement, contribute to and influence international ICT standards, specifically ITU recommendations (ITU-T). Moreover, the standardization development gap is both a cause and a manifestation on the wider digital divide within jurisdictions owing to geographic and demographic challenges. But internationally the digital divide is expressed in terms of the gaps in levels of ICT access among countries at their respective stages of economic and social development.

ICT industry in PNG Nadi, Fiji, September Long distance Local Mobile international GreenCom Internet TV BC 3ABN Kundu TV RADIO MMDS CATV Unlicensed VSATs

Standard development process in PNG Nadi, Fiji, September identification and inclusion of standard in annual work plan assign task to staff to research and release working draft comments from within PANGTEL release revised draft invite comments from industry revise and finalize submit to PANGTEL board implement

Nadi, Fiji, September Why is standardization important for PNG? SDG is a factor in unequal access to technology in PNG; sustains digital divide issues in PNG; Denies the opportunity to develop skills for the technology; Chronic shortage of bandwidth; Suppress demand/desire for newer/proven broadband technologies; Denies technology and skills transfer to industry and technical regulator; and Ease of migration from legacy to newer/proven technologies

Why is standardization important for PNG? Help develop ICT as a sector; ICT as an enabler to social and economic sector development strategies; Globalization challenges and opportunities (skills & empowerment); Climate change challenges and opportunities; and others Nadi, Fiji, September

Nadi, Fiji, September ICT standardization ladder Where to start? Needs clearly sound management, properly trained and motivated representatives even in a LDC like PNG; Not necessary to cover all rungs, for the case of ICT end user like PNG; Awareness on the convenience of TIES account is vital

Nadi, Fiji, September What to do? Build and strengthen national capacity on standards; Strengthen collaboration between ministry, regulatory, standards body, industry, academia; Participate in regional program such as ASTAP Have a voice in ASTAP and form alliances to get support on your country’s special needs; Attend ASTAP preparatory meetings to bring issues to the WTSA; Remember PI is important to manufacturers who sell their products, stand up for your rights…

Impacts of SDG on Papua New Guinea Lack of enjoyment of a wider range of ICT services; Sustainability issues; Can not fulfill MDG; Impede social economic development… Food security issues; Crime rate (CCTV); Low health levels; Numeracy & literacy improvement; Denial of access to information… Nadi, Fiji, September

Conclusion SDG remains an issue for PNG but she has to help herself before she can be helped; Strengthened domestic institutions; Promote use of TIES to access ITU Recommendations; Active participation in APT activities; Bring issues to APT preparatory meetings and lobby support from colleague members; Nadi, Fiji, September

Way forward for Papua New Guinea Act now and do not delay; Build necessary clear legislative goals that are supported by coherent policy; Build domestic alliances & partnerships; Identify issues and/or potential agenda in advance; No country is too small to bring issues to APT/WTSA/ITU… PARTICIPATE AND SPEAK OUT! Nadi, Fiji, September

Nadi, Fiji, September 2009 Thank you