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OEA/Ser.G

CP/doc.3987/05

9March 2005

Original: Spanish

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Inter-American Telecommunication Commission

TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

This document is being distributed to the permanent missions
and will be presented to the Permanent Council of the Organization.

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ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL ACTING

8 March 2005

Excellency,

I have the honor to forward to Your Excellency a note dated March 8, 2005 from Mr. Clovis Baptista, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission, CITEL, submitting to the General Assembly the Annual Report of CITEL for the year 2004-2005.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Luigi R. Einaudi

His Excellency

Manuel María Cáceres

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Paraguay

to the Organization of American States

Chairman of the Permanent Council

Washington, D.C.

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CITEL/CA.47/05

March 8, 2005

Dear Mr.Secretary General:

I enclose herewith, for the purposes set forth in Article 91.f of the OAS Charter, the Annual Report of CITEL for the year 2004, in the original Spanish. Subsequently, we will send you the report translated into English, French, and Portuguese.

Sincerely yours,

Clovis Baptista

Executive Secretary

CITEL

Amb. Luigi R. Einaudi

Acting Secretary General

Organization of American States

Washington, D. C.

United States of America

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Organization OF THE AMERICAN STATES

annual report 2004

Inter-American Telecommunication Commission
CITEL

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CONTENTS

Executive Summary......

1.INTRODUCTION......

2.ORIGIN AND STRUCTURE OF CITEL......

2.1Objectives and functions of CITEL......

2.2Members and participants......

2.3Structure of CITEL......

3.ACTIVITIES OF CITEL......

3.1Steering Committee of CITEL......

3.2Permanent Executive Committee (COM/CITEL)......

3.3Permanent Consultative Committee I......

3.4Permanent Consultative Committee II: Radiocommunications including Broadcasting.....

4.SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS......

5.ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRETARIAT......

5.1Improvement of the procedures of CITEL......

5.2Representation of CITEL in other forum......

6.MAINSTREAMING GENDER IN THE WORK OF CITEL......

7.COOPERATION RELATIONS WITH REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

8.STATUS OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS SPONSORED BY CITEL......

8.1Lima Convention......

8.2Inter-American Convention on the International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP)......

8.3Protocol of Amendment to the Inter-American Convention on the International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP)

9.TRAINING ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY CITEL/OAS......

10.BUDGET OF CITEL......

10.1Budget and execution for 2004......

10.2Budget for 2005......

10.3Budgetary allocation for fellowships......

10.4External resources......

11.SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS OF CITEL FOR 2005......

12.RESOLUTIONS TO BE SENT TO THE OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY......

APPENDICES

A.Associate Members......

Btitles of the resolutions, recommendations, and decisions

approvedin 2004......

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In recent years, information and communications technologies (ICTs) have evolved in different ways, with consequent major repercussions for CITEL. Among changes that have occurred, we may point to:

  • Broad acknowledgement of the role of telecommunications as a tool for the development of society;
  • Convergence of telecommunication, information technology, and information system technological platforms;
  • Expansion and diversification of telecommunications and radiocommunications, and rapid expansion of the supply of mobile services worldwide;
  • Introduction of new technologies, broadband applications, and determination of new uses for existing technologies;
  • Separation of the exploitation and regulatory functions, and the establishment of numerous independent telecommunication regulatory bodies;
  • Opening of markets to competition with greater private sector participation;
  • According a more important role to regional organizations;
  • Limited geographic coverage of telecommunication infrastructure, stemming from different factors, including its costs.

CITEL was faced with many challenges in 2004 as, in an environment characterized by the critical situation of the ICT industry, with the consequent financial limitations, activities to improve access to ICTs continued, particularly in developing countries, so as to promote fulfillment of the Summit mandates.

Activities focused mainly on policy and technological issues. Among the first, we may point to the studies of interconnection, satellite regulation, universal access/service, tariffing, and implementation of IP telephony. Technology-related activities covered aspects such as broadband access technologies, communications for remote and rural areas, digital radio broadcasting technologies and systems, and harmonization of spectrum use.

Another major area of activity was human resource training through different distance and attendance-based courses on topics such as spectrum management, radio broadcasting, planning of mobile networks and communications, next generation networks and, in general, regulatory issues.

The ongoing challenge facing CITEL is to maintain its position as a leading intergovernmental organization, in which the MemberStates and Associate Members work together with a view to sustained growth and development of telecommunications and information networks in order to facilitate universal access and enable everyone to benefit from access to information.

With the aim of meeting the expectations of the Member States and Associate Members, thereby achieving CITEL objectives, it was decided to focus in the future on strategic issues, and on raising awareness and increasing knowledge of new technologies, to include in particular system migration/evolution processes. The future objective is to reconsider CITEL priorities, assisting developing countries to plan, exploit, update, and maintain the technologies most appropriate for service provision.

1.INTRODUCTION

This Annual Report is published pursuant to the provisions of Article 90.f of the Charter of the Organization of American States and Article 17 of the Statute of CITEL. Its contents are in keeping with the guidelines established by the OAS General Assembly in resolution AG/RES. 1452 (XXVII-O/97) for preparation of annual reports on the activities of the organs, agencies, and entities of the Organization.

This report covers the period January-December 2004.

2.ORIGIN AND STRUCTURE OF CITEL

The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) is an entity of the Organization of American States established by the General Assembly in its resolution AG/RES. 1224 (XXIII-O/93), in keeping with Article 52 of the Charter of the Organization. CITEL has technical autonomy in the performance of its functions, within the limits of the Charter of the Organization, its Statute, and such mandates as the General Assembly of the Organization may assign to it.

2.1Objectives and functions of CITEL

Objectives

a.To facilitate and promote, by all means available to it, the continuing development of telecommunications in this hemisphere.

b.To promote and foster the existence of appropriate telecommunications for the process of regional development.

c.To organize and sponsor the periodic holding of meetings of technicians and experts to study planning, financing, construction, operation, standardization, technical assistance, maintenance and other matters related to the use and operation of telecommunications in the Americas.

d.To promote the adoption of uniform technical standards and criteria for the operation of the systems, in order to obtain maximum benefit from the available facilities for each individual country and for the region as a whole within the framework of global standardization of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

e.To promote and study technical assistance, in agreement with the governments of the countries concerned.

f.To foster the improvement and harmonization of administrative, financial, and operational procedures for the planning, installation, improvement, maintenance, and operation of telecommunication networks of the Member States of CITEL, within the framework of the recommendations of the ITU.

g.To recommend studies and promote the adoption of official agreements between the governments of the Member States of the Organization in connection with the planning, installation, maintenance and operation of telecommunications systems in the hemisphere.

Functions

a.To sponsor or undertake studies that will permit the orderly development of telecommunications networks, making use of the most suitable and efficient systems available.

b.To maintain continuous contact with the various governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of telecommunications, and to promote the coordination of their activities with those of the Member States of the Organization.

c.To request the cooperation of world or regional governmental organizations, especially the ITU, the Caribbean Telecommunication Union, and of international agencies concerned with telecommunications that enjoy consultative status with the United Nations or maintain cooperative relations with the Organization.

d.To collect and disseminate among the Member States of CITEL information pertaining to accomplishment of its objectives, as well as any other information that may be of interest.

e.To serve as the principal advisory body of the Organization in all matters related to telecommunications in the Americas.

f.To study the legal aspects of telecommunications, taking into account existing Inter-American instruments, with a view to the preparation of new draft conventions in this field.

  1. To study legal problems related to direct transmission via satellite, in order to prepare draft Inter-American conventions or agreements on this subject and to formulate a common position for the Member States of CITEL to take in this connection when dealing with the pertinent international agencies.
  2. To prepare studies on the harmonization and unification of the legislation of the Member States of CITEL on matters relating to telecommunications.

i.To make recommendations in the field of telecommunications to the governments of the Member States of CITEL, taking into account those made by the ITU.

j.To prepare and coordinate research in the field of telecommunications and electronics.

k.To consider any other matters relating to Inter-American cooperation in the field of telecommunications as requested by the General Assembly, or the Councils of the Organization.

2.2Members and participants

All Member States of the Organization are Members of CITEL.

The following organizations and entities may participate as observers:

  • OAS permanent observers and, with the approval of COM/CITEL, states of the Americas that are not members of the Organization that have requested to participate in a meeting;
  • With the approval of COM/CITEL, non-American states that are members of the United Nations or its specialized agencies that have requested to participate in a meeting;
  • Inter-American specialized organizations and entities of the Organization; and inter-American regional intergovernmental organizations;
  • The United Nations and its specialized agencies;
  • International and national organizations that are parties to agreements or arrangements establishing cooperation relations with the Organization, and/or with its organs, agencies, or entities when such agreements or arrangements provide for the participation of observers;
  • With the approval of COM/CITEL, international, regional, sub-regional, and national agencies and organizations that carry out telecommunications activities in the region that have asked to participate in a meeting.

The Statute of CITEL also provides for participation, as an Associate Member of a Permanent Consultative Committee, by any agency, organization, or institution related to the telecommunications industry, which has legal personality, with the approval of the corresponding Member State of CITEL. As of January 2004, Associate Members make a minimum annual contribution of US$2,500 to the funding of the Commission [CITEL/RES. 40 (III/02)] for each Permanent Consultative Committee in which they participate. Associate Members may participate fully, with voice but without vote, in all activities of that Permanent Consultative Committee. They may present technical documents, and receive the documents of the Committee of which they are Associate Members, and its working and ad hoc groups. As of December 2004, CITEL had 123 Associate Members. Appendix A contains a complete list of Associate Members.

2.3Structure of CITEL

CITEL’s structure is:

  • Assembly of CITEL
  • Permanent Executive Committee (COM/CITEL)
  • Steering Committee
  • Permanent Consultative Committees (PCCs):
  • Permanent Consultative Committee I: Telecommunication Standardization (PCC.I)
  • Permanent Consultative Committee II: Radiocommunications including Broadcasting (PCC.II)
  • Conference Preparatory Working Group
  • Secretariat

It should be noted that the Steering Committee generally meets once a year and assists in the Commission’s administration and strategic planning. The Permanent Consultative Committees (PCCs) provide advisory services in connection with matters pertaining to their respective spheres of competence. The PCCs establish working groups and ad hoc groups when necessary to study topics of special interest. At present, there are16 working groups and ad hoc groups that cover different aspects of telecommunications and radiocommunications. The Fourth Meeting of CITEL shall be held in 2006.

3.ACTIVITIES OF CITEL

3.1Steering Committee of CITEL

The Steering Committee comprises the Chair and Vice Chair of COM/CITEL and the Chairs of the PCCs. The X Meeting of the Steering Committee was held May 27-28, 2004, in Washington, D.C., United States. It discussed CITEL’s future strategies and the status of fulfillment of the mandates of the third Summit of the Americas and the Fourteenth Meeting of COM/CITEL was planned. As part of the campaign to maximize the use of resources – both material and human – different activities were carried out during the above-mentioned week of May:

  • XII Meeting of the Working Group to Prepare for the Meetings of the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
  • Fifth Meeting of the Conference Preparatory Working Group to deal with the Regional preparations for the Worldwide Meetings and Conferences.
  • Meeting of the Working Group on the preparations for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA)
  • Meeting for the consideration of the Update of the Blue Book “Telecommunication Policies for the Americas.” The telecommunications environment is under permanent evolution and it is essential to have a telecommunications policy that takes into consideration the opportunities the new information and communication technologies may offer. The purpose of the Blue Book is still that of being a tool for the countries of the region in the process of managing the communications and information sectors.
  • Second regional dialogue on telecommunication policies: The Second regional dialogue was held on May 27, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm Washington time, DC, United States of America, with representatives from the administrations attending to the CITEL site and the following four Sites attending through video conference: Chile, Nicaragua, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. On this instance the Dialogue examined the first draft of the Blue Book prepared by an ITU expert based on the contributions received as at March 31, 2004. This Regional Dialogue used the global dialogue platform of the World Bank’s Global Development Learning Network (GDLN).

3.2Permanent Executive Committee (COM/CITEL)

Chair:Mr. Mario Guillermo Moreno (Argentina)

Alternate Chair:Mr. Carlos Cancelli (Argentina)

ViceChair:Mr. Claudio Bermúdez Acquart (Costa Rica)

The Permanent Executive Committee is the governing body of CITEL, and meets once each year. The Fourteenth Meeting of COM/CITEL was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 30-December 3, 2004.

During this meeting, the following groups met:

  • The Conference Preparatory Working Group, to address regional preparations for world conferences and meetings, which began preparations for the regional meeting to be held prior to the World Telecommunication Development Conference to be held in August 2005, in Lima, Peru. Also reviewed the status of implementation of the Resolutions and Decisions of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
  • The Working Group to Prepare for the Meetings of the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which reviewed the outcome of the Council Session, as had been scheduled at the Tenth Meeting of the Steering Committee.
  • The General Coordinationfor Human Resource Development, which approved five new CITEL Regional Training Centers (Universidad Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario,of Colombia; Julio Garavito Colombian School of Engineering; University of Brasilia, of Brazil; Technological Institute of Buenos Aires (ITBA), of Argentina; and the National Center for Electronics and Telecommunications, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of Chile) and prepared the preliminary course offerings for 2005.
  • The Working Group on the Strategic Plan of CITEL, which launched a study to strengthen and amend this document, taking account of the changing telecommunication environment.

Several projects are also under way, among which we note:

  • Preparation of a pilot project to promote access by indigenous peoples to a culture of information and communication and provide them with the necessary conditions to use ICTs. This project includes the creation of a site to facilitate this topic, to be developed in coordination with the Administration of Mexico and the ITU.
  • Update of the Blue Book: “Telecommunication Policies for the Americas,” so as to gain broad knowledge of trends and best practices in fundamental regulatory issues and strengthen the harmonization, legislative, and regulatory process in the region. Note that in 2004, three meetings were held on this topic: May 27-28, 2004, in Washington, D.C., United States; and September 29-October 1, 2004 and November 29, 2004, both in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • As the Fourth Summit of the Americas will be held in Argentina in the first week of November 2005, an ad hoc group was established, to have responsibility for preparing a draft declaration on telecommunication policies for the Americas and a plan of action for telecommunication development, with a view to implementing the objective contained in the theme of the Fourth Summit.

3.3Permanent Consultative Committee I

Officers:

January-December 2004

Chair:Mrs. Martha Elena Pinto de De Hart (Colombia)

Alternate Chair:Mr. Félix Castro Rojas (Colombia)

Vice Chair:Mr. Marcos Bafutto (Brazil)

Permanent Consultative Committee I is the technical advisory body of CITEL in the area of telecommunication equipment certification processes, tariffing principles, and coordination of network and telecommunication service standards, and seeks to ensure the interoperability of such networks and services within the region. Two meetings were held in 2004: The Fourth Meeting, March 16-19, 2004, in Quito, Ecuador, and the Fifth Meeting, August 3-6, 2004, in Asuncion, Paraguay.

In 2004, PCC.I updated its work schedule, taking account of the rapid growth of fixed and mobile networks and communications over IP-based networks.

Main activities under way and new initiatives

-Standards coordination

In 2004, the following Standards Coordination Documents (SCD) were adopted.

  • ITU-T Recommendation X.805, “Security architecture for systems providing end-to-end communications,” which defines an architecture that may be utilized in different types of networks where end-to-end security is a concern, together with the general security-related architectural elements necessary to provide end-to-end security;
  • IETF RFC 2401, “Security Architecture for the Internet Protocol,” which is an open standards framework providing security for the transmission of sensitive data over unprotected networks such as the Internet.
  • ITU-T Recommendation Q.1912.5, “Interworking between Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Bearer Independent Call Control Protocol or ISDN User Part,” which defines the signaling interworking between the Bearer Independent Call Control protocol (BICC) or the ISDN User Part (ISUP) protocol and the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), with its associated Session Description Protocol (SDP) at an Interworking Unit (IWU).

The future work plan provides for evaluating the progress made regarding signaling and security standards (fixed and wireless) to determine the possibility of adopting other Coordinated Standards Documents.