1. 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, September 2009)
Bridging the Standardization Gap A case of Thailand
Saneh Saiwong,
Acting Director, Telecom Standards, NTC, Thailand
Nadi, Fiji, September 2009

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

3. 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, September 2009

4. Challenges/Barriers Resource & Standardization Infrastructure System
Policy &
Legislation
Nadi, Fiji, September 2009

5. 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, September 2009

6. 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, September 2009

7. 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, September 2009

8. 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, September 2009

9. 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, September 2009

10. 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, September 2009

11. 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, September 2009

12. 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, September 2009

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