Saturday 17 November 2012

2012 World Conference to Introduce New UN Telecommunication Regulations

By Saul Saresi


The United Nations are at it again, it seems, this time deciding which crucial elements of the internet are in need of more stringent guidelines and regulations and also how much more control over the ICT and telecoms industries they need in order to keep up with the ever changing face of telecoms technology.

And it seems that they now have their eyes set on the ICT and telecommunications sector, with the intent of introducing much more stringent guidelines in order to keep pace with the ever changing face of internet and computer based technology and communications.

The remit of tasks performed by the ITU includes; allocating global satellite orbits and radio spectrum, developing interconnection by promoting technical standards, and working to improve telecommunications accessibility for underprivileged and underserved communities.

It seems, however, that over the years the balance has shifted considerably in favour of the latest technologies, with updates to regulations being made only very intermittently. Although the ITU has a vast range of responsibilities and tasks to perform, their regulations do not carry the weight of the law, even though many of their guidelines are adopted by most national level authorities.

At the forthcoming conference - which will take place in Dubai later this year - a significant treaty made in 1988 known as the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) will be renegotiated.

The ITRs was instrumental in providing a framework of governing principles concerned with international telecommunication transport and services along with the interconnection of telecommunications facilities. The ITRs also provided the guidelines for mutual and private agreements between countries and non-governmental organisations respectively.

An overhaul of the ITRs has long been on the cards, and although any alterations made will not become law, it is widely acknowledged that any decisions made at the conference will play a big part in the way internet and telecommunications are regulated internationally over the coming years.

Whatever regulations may be changed and whatever changes may be regulated, the re-assessment of the guidelines put forth in the 1988 ITRs is long overdue. With new advancements being made every day in the telecommunication industry, the industry is continuing to grow at an alarming rate and slows no signs of slowing up in the near future. But one thing is for sure; now is the time to find an ITSPA endorsed Voip service provider such as VoIPDito and start taking advantage of Voip technology and cheaper calls sooner rather than later.




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