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PLENARY MEETING(PL 3.1)
Note by the Secretary-General
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNION
I have the honour to transmit herewith to the Council the Report on the activities of the Union for 1996.
Pekka TARJANNESecretary-General
Annex: As mentioned above
For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number of copies. Participants are therefore kindly asked to bring
their copies to the meeting since no others can be made available.SG\CONSEIL\C97\000\035E0.DOC 13.08.97
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
COUNCILDocument C97/35-E26 May 1997
GENEVA — 1997 SESSION — (18 - 27 JUNE)
INT E R NAT ION AL T E L E C OM M UNIC AT IO N UNION
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIESOF THE INTERNATIONAL
TELECOMMUNICATION UNIONin 1996
Published byTHE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
GENEVA, 1997
SG\CONSEIL\C97\000\035E0.DOC 13.08.97
RAPPORT D’ACTIVITÉ 1996
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Introduction / Membership
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 1
2. Membership of the Union .............................................................................. 1
3. The Council .................................................................................................... 2
4. Conferences
4.1 AF/RTDC-96 - African Regional TelecommunicationDevelopment Conference................................................................................. 8
4.2 AR/RTDC-96 - Regional Telecommunication DevelopmentConference for the Arab States......................................................................... 8
4.3 WTSC-96 - World Telecommunication Standardization Conference............... 8
4.4 WTPF-96 - World Telecommunication Policy Forum..................................... 10
5. Activities of the General Secretariat and Sectors
5.1 General Secretariat ....................................................................................... 13
5.2 ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) ..................................................... 38
5.3 ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) ............................... 62
5.4 ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)................................... 77
6. Administration of the Union
6.1 Staff matters .................................................................................................. 118
6.2 Financial questions ........................................................................................ 123
Annex 1 Position of Members in relation to the Acts of the Unionon 31 December 1996...................................................................................... 125
Annex 2 Budget and Accounts for 1996 ........................................................................ 151
* * * * * * * *
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RAPPORT D’ACTIVITÉ 1996
1. INTRODUCTION
This Report is published pursuant to the provisions of No. 102 of the Convention of the International Telecommunication Union (Geneva, 1992), which provides that the Secretary-General shall "with the assistance of the Coordination Committee, prepare an annual report on the activities of the Union which, after approval by the Council, shall be sent to all Members".
* * * * * * * * * *
2. MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNION
2.1 In 1996, the following three countries became Members of the Union following their accession to the Geneva Constitution and Convention:
Republic of the Marshall Islands on 22 February Tuvalu on 15 August Commonwealth of Dominica on 28 October.
As at 31 December 1996, there were therefore 187 Members of the Union.
2.2 In the course of 1996, twenty-five Members ratified, and one Member acceded to, the Constitution and Convention of the ITU (Geneva, 1992), thus bringing to one hundred and ten the total number of ratifications and accessions as at 31 December 1996. In accordance with the provisions of No. 231 of the Constitution and No. 527 of the Convention (Geneva, 1992), these ratifications received after 1 January 1996 applied to the Constitution and Convention as amended at Kyoto (1994).
2.2.1 Also in 1996, thirteen Members having already ratified the Geneva Constitution and Convention before 1 January 1996 ratified the Instruments amending the ITU Constitution and Convention (Geneva, 1992) adopted by the Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994).
2.2.2 Recommendation 1 of the Kyoto (1994) Plenipotentiary Conference inviting ITU’s Members to expedite their respective national procedures for ratification, acceptance, approval of, or accession to the Constitution and Convention (Geneva, 1992) was brought by the Secretary-General to the attention of all the Members.
2.3 Table I, in Annex 1 to the present Report, shows the situation of Members with respect to the Constitution and Convention of Geneva, 1992, as at 31 December 1996, together with the Administrative Regulations which complement it. It also includes the situation with respect to the Instruments amending the Constitution and Convention (Kyoto, 1994). Annex 1 (page 125) also gives information regarding certain other conventions and agreements relating to telecommunications.
* * * * * * * * * *
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Council
3. THE COUNCIL
3.1 The 1996 session of the Council was held at the ITU Headquarters from 19 to 28 June 1996. It was attended by representatives of the 46 Members of the Council, namely:
Algeria (People's Democratic Republic of), Germany (Federal Republic of), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of), Argentine Republic, Australia, Bahamas (Commonwealth of the), Benin (Republic of), Brazil (Federative Republic of), Bulgaria (Republic of), Burkina Faso, Cameroon (Republic of), Canada, Cape Verde (Republic of), Chile, China (People's Republic of), Korea (Republic of), Cuba, Denmark, Egypt (Arab Republic of), Spain, United States of America, France, India (Republic of), Indonesia (Republic of), Italy, Japan, Kenya (Republic of), Kuwait (State of), Mali (Republic of), Morocco (Kingdom of), Mexico, Nigeria (Federal Republic of), Pakistan (Islamic Republic of), Philippines (Republic of the), Poland (Republic of), Portugal, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, Senegal (Republic of), South Africa (Republic of), Switzerland (Confederation of), Tanzania (United Republic of), Thailand, Ukraine, Viet Nam (Socialist Republic of). Also, in the framework of Resolution 10 (Kyoto, 1994), the Session was attended by one or two observers of the following thirteen Observer Members, i.e. Belgium, Republic of Cyprus, Greece, Republic of Hungary, State of Israel, Norway, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Syrian Arab Republic, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Republic of Singapore, Sweden, Turkey.
3.2 Mr. K. Mirski (Bulgaria) and Mr. R.P. Giunta (Argentina) were elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council, respectively, and the following Committees were set up:
Standing Committee - Finance
Chairman : Mr U. Mohr (Germany)Vice-Chairman : Mr. H. Al-Qattan (Kuwait)
Standing Committee - Staff and Pensions
Chairman : Mr. A. B. Mapunda (Tanzania)Vice-Chairman : Mr. R. R. A. Sa (Brazil)
3.3 The Resolutions and Decisions adopted by the Council are summarized below:
3.3.1 Financial matters
3.3.1.1 Additional appropriations for the 1996/1997 Budget
The Council resolved to increase by an amount of 8 260 000 Swiss francs the appropriations in the 1996/1997 budget with corresponding withdrawals from the Reserve Accounts
(Resolution 1088)
Sect. 3 - 6 -Council C97/35-E
3.3.1.2 Financial Operating Report for 1995
The Council approved the Financial Operating Report and the Management Report of the ITU Staff Superannuation and Benevolent Funds for 1995.
(Resolution 1089)
3.3.1.3 External Audit of ITU Accounts for the period 1 January to 31 December 1995
The Council approved the accounts of the ITU for 1995 as drawn up and audited by the External Auditor appointed by the Swiss Confederation.
(Resolution 1090)
3.3.1.4 Contributory Share for defraying Union Expenses
The Council decided to authorize the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to contribute in the 1/16 unit class as from 1 January 1997.
(Resolution 1091)
3.3.1.5 Premises at the seat of the Union - Pre-financing for construction of the Montbrillant building
The Council decided to authorize the additional pre-financing of foreseen expenditure in the amount of 507 000 Swiss francs until the FIPOI loan for the Montbrillant building is obtained.
(Resolution 1092)
3.3.1.6 Special Account for “UIFN Registration”
The Council decided to authorize the opening of a special account for Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN) Registration as from 1 July 1996 to be used to receive funds paid for services and to cover the costs of establishing and maintaining the register and to establish the registration fee at 200 Swiss francs per number issued.
(Decision 464)
3.3.1.7 Special account for Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)
The Council decided to authorize the opening of a special account for Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) as from 1 July 1996 to be used to receive funds for paying services and to cover part of the overall ITU exchange services costs.
(Decision 465)
3.3.1.8 Special account for ITU Seminars
The Council decided to authorize the opening of a special account for ITU seminars as from July 1996 to be used to cover the related costs and to receive funds paid for services.
(Decision 466)
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Council
3.3.1.9 Reserve for debtors’accounts
The Council decided to transfer from the Reserve Account an amount of 6 090 338.69 Swiss francs to the Reserve for Debtor’s Accounts to cover the arrears up to the year 1991.
(Decision 467)
3.3.1.10 Amount owed by Intelligent Modem Corporation, United States
The Council decided that the amount of 144 241.15 Swiss francs owed by Intelligent Modem Corporation as unpaid contributions and accrued interest for the years 1992 to 1995 shall be written off and offset by a corresponding withrawal from the Reserve for Debtors’ Accounts.
(Decision 468)
3.3.1.11 Amount owed by Net Express Inc., United States
The Council decided that the amount of 46 538.40 Swiss francs owed by Net Express Inc. as unpaid contributions and accrued interest for the years 1992 to 1994 shall be written off and offset by a corresponding withrawal from the Reserve for Debtors’ Accounts.
(Decision 469)
3.3.1.12 Reserve for staff installation and repatriation
The Council decided to transfer from the Reserve Account an amount of 1 600 000.00 Swiss francs to the Reserve for Staff Installation and Repartition.
(Decision 470)
3.3.2 Staff and Pension Matters
3.3.2.1 Membership of the ITU Staff Pension Committee
The Council appointed the following persons to represent the Council on the ITU Staff Pensions Committee:
Members Alternate Members Term of Office
Mr. R. MAGA(Cameroon)
Mr. W. LISKA(Romania)
Until the 1997 ordinarysession of the Council
Mr. L. WEINTRAUB(United States)
Mrs. H. KIM(Republic of Korea)
Until the 1998 ordinarysession of the Council
Mr. E. LIESER(Germany)
Mr. R. SA(Brazil)
Until the 1999 ordinarysession of the Council
(Resolution 1093)
Sect. 3 - 8 -Council C97/35-E
3.3.2.2 Staffing Requirements
The Council approved the creation of two posts within the General Secretariat and the continuation until the end of 1999 of nine fixed-term posts in the Arabic, Chinese and Russian language services of the Conference Department.
(Resolution 1094)
3.3.2.3 Tripartite Consultative Group on Human Resources Management
The Council decided to establish a Tripartite Consultative Group on Human Resources Management, composed of designated Members of the Council, representatives of the Secretariat of the Union designated by the Coordination Committee and staff representatives designated by the Staff Council. It also decided to invite the International Civil Service Commission to send an observer to attend the meetings of the group.
(Resolution 1095)
3.3.2.4 Structure of posts in the Telecommunication Development Bureau
The Council approved a distribution of the 150 posts in BDT as approved in the budget for 1996-1997, of 1 elected post, 96 permanent posts and 53 fixed-term posts.
(Resolution 1096)
3.3.3 Conferences and meetings
3.3.3.1 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-97), 1997
The Council resolved to convene a World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-97) in Geneva from 27 October to 21 November 1997. It also adopted the agenda of the Conference.
(Resolution 1086)
3.3.3.2 Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-97), 1997
The Council resolved that the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-97) should be convened in Geneva from 20 to 24 October 1997.
(Resolution 1087)
3.3.3.3 World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-98), 1998
The Council resolved that the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-98) should be convened in Malta for a duration of eight working days starting on 23 March 1998. It also adopted the draft agenda of the Conference.
(Resolution 1098)
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Council
3.3.3.4 Convening of the next ordinary Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-98)
The Council decided that the next ordinary Plenipotentiary Conference will take place in Minneapolis (Minnesota) for a period of four weeks from Monday, 12 October to Friday, 6 November 1998.
(Decision 463)
3.3.3.5 Date and duration of the 1997 Session of the Council
The Council decided that its 1997 session will open in Geneva for a period of a week and three days from Wednesday, 18 June 1997 to Friday, 27 June 1997.
(Decision 472)
3.4 Right to vote of Members of the Union
The Council resolved to urge all Members of the Union who have not yet deposited their single instrument to expedite their respective national procedures for ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Constitution and the Convention of the International Telecomunication Union (Geneva, 1992) and to deposit their single instrument with the Secretary-General as soon as possible.
(Resolution 1097)
3.5 Alternative calling procedures on international telecommunication networks
The Council endorsed the result of ITU-T studies which call for suspension of the methods and practices of those call-back applications which seriously degrade the quality and the performance of the PSTN, such as constant calling (or bombardment or polling) and answer suppression.
The Council urged the Standardization Sector to develop appropriate recommendations concerning alternative calling procedures. A report on such activities will be presented to the 1997 Council Session.
(Resolution 1099)
3.6 Establishment of a working group
The Council decided to set up a Working Group for the continuation of the studies referred to in Resolutions 15 and 39 of the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference, 1994, open to all Member States and Sector Members.
(Decision 471)
3.7 Resolution amended by the Council
The Council amended Resolution 925 - Financial conditions for the participation of the United Nations, the Specialized Agencies and other international organizations in the conferences and meetings of the ITU.
(Resolution 925)
Sect. 3 - 10 -Council C97/35-E
3.8 Other major issues considered by the Council
Annual report on ITU strategic policies and plans Regional presence Cooperation between the ITU and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Apportionment of revenues in providing international telecommunication services Rules of procedure of conferences and meetings Refinement of ITU-R and ITU-T Sectors Review of the ITU’s Frequency Coordination and Planning Framework for Satellite
Networks Implementation of the Buenos Aires Action Plan Information Exchange Services Premises at the Union Headquarters (Construction of the Montbrillant building)
* * * * * * *
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Conferences / WTSC-96
4. CONFERENCES
4.1 African Regional Telecommunication Development - AF/RTDC-96
See section 5.4.2.2.1 (page 88).
4.2 Regional Telecommunication Development Conference for the Arab States - AR/RTDC-96
See section 5.4.2.2.2 (page 89).
4.3 World Telecommunication Standardization Conference (WTSC-96)
4.3.1 a) The World Telecommunication Standardization Conference 1996 (WTSC-96) was held in Geneva from Wednesday 9 October to Friday 18 October 1996 for a total duration of eight working days. WTSC-96 was set by Resolution 3 of the Plenipotentiary Conference, Kyoto 1994 and was convened by Resolution 1083 of Council 1996 after consultation with the Member States of the Union.
b) The World Telecommunication Standardization Conference is held, in principle, once every four years in order to review all the activities of the study groups during the study period until the Conference, to approve the work programme for the next study period and to establish the study group structure with allocation of questions to the corresponding study groups. The Conference also appoints the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of each study group.
c) WTSC-96 adopted 29 Resolutions and 6 Recommendations of the A-series.
4.3.2 In all, 82 Member States of the ITU, represented by 78 administrations and 64 Sector Members (39 recognized operating agencies and 25 industrial or scientific organizations) took part in the proceedings. Eight international or regional organizations sent observers. A total of 511 participants attended WTSC-96.
4.3.3 WTSC-96 elected Mr. H.K. Pfyffer (Switzerland) as Chairman of the Conference and Mr. B. Horton (Australia), Mr. L. Geloup (Poland), Mr. E.S. Barbely (USA), and Mr. D. de Jongh (South Africa) as Vice-Chairmen of the Conference.
4.3.4 The structure of WTSC-96 as approved by the Conference and the appointed Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Committees are indicated below :
Committee 1 - Steering Committee
This committee was chaired by the Chairman of the Conference. The other participants were the Vice-Chairman of the Conference, the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Committees.
Sect. 4 - 12 -Conferences / WTSC-96 C97/35-E
Committee 2 - Budget Control Committee
Chairman : Mr. CAO MEIJIE (China)Vice-Chairmen : Mr. E.-L. WANKO (Cameroon)
Mr. S.M. AL-TIWANIY (Oman)
Committee 3 - Working methods of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector
Chairman : Mr. B. MOORE (United Kingdom)Vice-Chairmen : Mr. G. FISHMAN (USA)
Mr. S. KANO (Japan)Mrs. I. KREINGEL (Russia)
Committee 4 - Structure and work programme of the study groups
Chairman : Mr. M. ISRAEL (Canada)Vice-Chairmen : Mr. J.M. FANJUL CAUDEVILLA (Spain)
Mr. N. KISRAWI (Syria)Mr. E. MATARAZZO (Brazil)
Committee 5 - Technology of Telecommunication Networks
Chairman : Mr. J. SHRIMPTON (USA)Vice-Chairmen : Mr. K. ASATANI (Japan)
Mr. G. BONAVENTURA (Italy)
Committee 6 - Telecommunication Services
Chairman : Mr. B. ROUXEVILLE (France)Vice-Chairmen : Mr. G. GOSZTONY (Hungary)
Mr. C.H. YIM (Korea (Republic of))
Committee 7 - Editorial Committee
Chairman : Mr. P. GONIN (France)Vice-Chairmen : Mr. S. ROBERTS (United Kingdom)
Mr. V. RUBIO CARRETON (Spain)
4.3.5 Study Group Structure (Resolution 2)
WTSC-96 revised the mandates of the ITU-T Study Groups and decided to set up a new Study Group 16 on Multimedia services and systems and to discontinue Study Groups 1 and 14 by redistributing their Questions to other study groups. Consequently there will be 14 ITU-T study groups and TSAG in operation during the 1997-2000 study period (see also section 5.3, page 62). The detailed reports on WTSC-96 are being published as ITU-T Green Books 1 and 2.
- 13 - Sect. 4.4C97/35-E
Conferences / WTPF-96
4.4 World Telecommunication Policy Forum - WTPF-96
4.4.1 The first World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF) was convened in Geneva at the Geneva International Conference Centre from 21-23 October 1996, immediately after the World Telecommunication Standardization Conference, to discuss the theme "Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite" with the following agenda:
"To discuss and exchange views and information on the following policy and regulatory issues raised by the introduction of global mobile personal communications systems and services by satellite:
a) the resulting globalization of telecommunication services and the scope for international cooperation in this context;
b) the role of such systems in the provision of basic telecommunication services in developing countries, LDCs, and in rural and remote areas;
c) measures necessary to achieve transborder use of such mobile terminals;
d) policy and regulatory issues relevant to such systems and services, in particular those relating to interconnection, with a view to achieving equitable and standard conditions of access;
and to draw up a report, and if possible opinions, for consideration by the Members and relevant ITU meetings.”
4.4.2 The WTPF was a landmark event in several respects.
a) As provided in Kyoto Res. 2, it was the first ITU event open to participation by Member States and Sector Members on an equal footing. In total, 833 delegates attended the Policy Forum, representing 128 Member States and 70 Sector Members.
b) The WTPF had only one document -- a report by the Secretary-General. This report was prepared using a three-stage iterative process. As provided in Council Res. 1083, a draft report incorporating contributions from State Members and Sector Members was circulated to contributors for comment in June 1996. This draft was then modified to reflect the contributors’ comments and sent to ITU State Members and Sector Members in August 1996. Finally, a revised report was prepared incorporating delayed contributions from the ITU membership, proposals made as a result of regional preparatory meetings, and Draft Opinions prepared by an informal group of experts, each of whom has been involved in preparations for the Policy Forum in his or her own country and region.
c) Voluntary financial contributions from Sector Members, which totaled approximately 465 K CHF, complemented the 238 K CHF allocated for the WTPF in the ordinary budget. These contributions made it possible to organize a special information session on GMPCS the day before the Policy Forum, to provide fellowships for 29 LDCs, to publish the report of the Forum, and to fund follow-on activities.
Sect. 4.4 - 14 -Conferences / WTPF-96 C97/35-E
4.4.3 In addition to this report, the following ITU documents, publications and meetings assisted the membership in preparing for the WTPF:
a) the Briefing Report and the Chairman’s Report of the third ITU Regulatory Colloquium on GMPCS;
b) two reports on GMPCS by the World Telecommunications Advisory Council which were distributed to the ITU membership by Circular-letter No. 28 of 4 April 1996;
c) presentations organized by the ITU Secretariat in conjunction with AF-RTDC 96 and Americas TELECOM 96;
d) the preparatory meeting for the Asia-Pacific region convened by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity in Singapore on 4 & 5 June, 1996;
e) a special session on GMPCS held at the AFCOM 96 conference in Washington DC on 7 June, 1996:
f) discussions at the 1996 session of the ITU Council;
g) the CITEL PCC-III meeting held in Brasilia, 12-16 August;
h) the preparatory meeting for the Africa region convened by Senegal in Dakar, 18-20 September 1996 in collaboration with ITU/BDT, PATU, and RASCOM;
i) the special GMPCS information session which took place the day before the Policy Forum.
4.4.4 Delegates to the Policy Forum elected Mr. Jonathan Parapak, Secretary-General of the Department of Tourism, Posts and Telecommunications of the Republic of Indonesia as Chairman. The Secretary-General then presented his report on the policy and regulatory issues raised by the introduction of GMPCS, underlining the following points which had emerged from Members’ contributions:
a) the Policy Forum should take a broad view of the issues raised by GMPCS as being applicable to all satellite systems, (i.e. fixed and mobile, broadband and narrowband, global and regional, existing and planned)providing telecommunication services directly to end users from a constellation of satellites;
b) the Policy Forum should, if possible, adopt opinions on the role of GMPCS in the globalization of telecommunications; the shared vision and principles for GMPCS; essential studies by the ITU to facilitate the introduction of GMPCS; establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the free circulation of
GMPCS user terminals; implementation of GMPCS in developing countries.
- 15 - Sect. 4.4C97/35-E
Conferences / WTPF-96
4.4.5 Following the presentation of the Secretary-General’s report, the Policy Forum heard a series of keynote addresses on the issues identified in Council Resolution 1083 by: Mr. David Leive, Chairman of the ITU Regulatory Colloquium; H. E. Mr. Sayyed Mohammed Gharazi, Minister of Posts, Telegraph and Telephone for the Islamic Republic of Iran; Mr. Kazuo Yoshida, Chairman of Satellite Phone Japan; and Mr. Abderrazak Berrada, Counselor to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the Kingdom of Morocco. After hearing these keynote presentations, the Policy Forum engaged in a general discussion of the policy and regulatory issues raised by the introduction of GMPCS. It then considered the draft Opinions contained in the Secretary-General’s report.
4.4.6 As a result, participants in the Policy Forum reached consensus on a set of voluntary principles to guide national policy-makers and regulators, as well as GMPCS system operators and service providers, in implementing GMPCS. Consensus was also reached on a comprehensive program of follow-up action which included studies by the three ITU Sectors, the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the circulation of GMPCS terminals, and a special program of studies to assist developing countries in implementing GMPCS. By the end of the year, work had begun on these follow-up actions.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sect. 5.1.1.1 / 5.1.1.2 - 16 -SG / JUR / TELECOM C97/35-E
5. ACTIVITIES OF THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT AND SECTORS
5.1 Activities of the General Secretariat
5.1.1 Office of the Secretary-General
5.1.1.1 Legal Affairs Unit (JUR)
As in previous years, the Unit furnished legal opinions and advice on a wide range of topics including international public law, personnel matters, finance, and privileges and immunities. The Unit's workload has grown sharply in two particular areas: contract law and related issues; and the legal ramifications of the ITU's use of an ever-greater variety of media to distribute its publications. Contract law has come to represent a large share of the Unit's work partly because TELECOM exhibitions and forums are growing more numerous and hence generating a heavy workload in regard to contracts, and partly as a result of the materialization of the Montbrillant Building construction project with which the Unit has been closely involved (elaboration of the contractor's general terms and conditions, negotiations on bid selection, contract negotiations, arrangements with the competent Swiss authorities, and so forth). There have also been a considerable number of calls for tenders and contract awards in areas concerned with logistical support. Legal matters in regard to ITU publications range from the drawing up of detailed licensing agreements for products distributed in electronic form (on CD-ROM, on line, etc.) to protection of logos, ITU website and copyright protection, and establishment of a policy on patents. Requests from the Radiocommunication Sector for legal advice have also been increasing steadily. And lastly, the Unit has continued its active role in the work of the ITU's various internal committees (Buildings Committee, Contracts Committee, ITU Publications Policy Committee).
5.1.1.2 Special Projects (TELECOM)
a) The major events in 1996 were the restructuring of the Secretariat and the organization of Americas TELECOM 96. The new structure was put into place following Americas TELECOM 96 and took the Secretariat from a project-oriented to a function-oriented structure, providing the framework to launch the next three events: Asia TELECOM 97, TELECOM INTERACTIVE 97, and Africa TELECOM 98 and, with TELECOM 99 which had been launched in 1995, to begin the simultaneous organization of the next four events.
b) Early in the year, a pre-campaign to promote the 1997 TELECOM events took the form of advertisements and a newsletter published on each of the four events, sent to 60,000 contacts. In August 1996, work started to develop icons and logos for ASIA TELECOM 97, TELECOM INTERACTIVE 97, AFRICA TELECOM 98 and TELECOM 99. To emphasize the link to the ITU, the TELECOM logo was re-designed. Event brochures, fact sheets, and event stationery were produced and work began on a Newsletter which would carry information on all events for distribution in February 1997. Advertisements were placed, mainly in trade journals, to promote the events and ITU/TELECOM was represented at a number of trade shows.
- 17 - Sect. 5.1.1.2C97/35-E
SG / TELECOM
5.1.1.2.1 Americas TELECOM 96 (10-15 June 1996)
a) This event took place at the Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Opening Ceremony took place on 10 June and speeches were made by H.E. President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Mr André Lebel (Chairman, World Telecommunications Advisory Council), and Dr Pekka Tarjanne. A commemorative stamp to mark the occasion was issued.
b) There were 412 exhibitors from 25 countries and ten national pavilions which covered an area of over 18,854m2, including outdoor space, making this event the largest regional to date in terms of space sold. 32% of exhibitors were European, 33% were North American, 24% were South American and 11% came from Asia and the Middle East.
c) 24 Ministers, 44 Directors-General and 260 Chief Executive Officers attended. The exhibition attracted over 18,000 telecommunication specialists. 274 journalists from 187 publications and 23 countries were on hand to report the event.
d) The Forum comprised Strategies and Technology Summits, running in parallel with the Exhibition. The Strategies Summit theme was: “Telecommunications - from building infrastructure to emerging information economies” and the Technology Summit theme was: “Broader and faster - in transition towards the information age”. In addition, a Telecommunications Development Workshop was organized, and awarded fellowships to 46 telecommunications specialists who discussed rural and remote telecommunications development. Overall, Forum attendance was higher than expected with nearly 1,400 delegates from 76 countries including 301 speakers from 44 countries.
e) TELECOM brought ITU representatives from the regional and area offices (Brasilia, Bridgetown, Santiago and Tegucigalpa) to the event to ensure their participation in the forum and give them the opportunity to visit the exhibition.
f) Americas TELECOM 96 was a financial success, with a surplus exceeding CHF 3.9 million. During the event, TELECOM organized a reception to mark its 25th anniversary. Further, and more importantly, TELECOM achieved its mandate to display the latest technology and unite the leaders of the public and private sectors of telecommunications with a view to the development of global telecommunications.
5.1.1.2.2 TELECOM Board
Meetings were held in Rio de Janeiro during Americas TELECOM 96 and in Geneva in December 1996. The Board was strengthened by the addition of two new members and one member of the Board resigned. The Board has been kept involved and regularly informed all year long of activities and events; it has received monthly management meeting reports, and has been invited to preparatory meetings in which some members of the Board participated. In their meetings, the Board reviewed the general trends of the telecommunication industry to provide appropriate advice; it presented new initiatives and suggested new directions. In that context, the Board oriented planning for TELECOM Interactive 97 in the light of the overwhelming success of Internet@TELECOM95 which demonstrated that the convergent technology needed further discussion and debate. The Board also discussed the
Sect. 5.1.1.2 - 18 -SG / TELECOM C97/35-E
periodicity of events, taking into account the rapid development of technology on the one hand and the increasing frequency of events held by competitors. Consequently a recommendation was made to shorten the cycle and this recommendation will be implemented from the year 2000. As for the selection of venues, the Board examined the current situation and adopted a new procedure which is being used to select the venue for Americas TELECOM 2000.
5.1.1.2.3 AD HOC MEETING
At regular intervals, TELECOM organizes Ad-Hoc meetings with its major exhibitors to discuss past events and future plans. An Ad-Hoc meeting was held in March 1996 in Geneva with fifty of TELECOM’s largest customers to review the results of TELECOM 95 and discuss Asia TELECOM 97, TELECOM INTERACTIVE 97, Africa TELECOM 98 and TELECOM 99.
5.1.1.2.4 Asia TELECOM 97 (9-14 June 1997)
In order to present a well balanced industry representation and a diversified forum with wide participation, a large, well equipped venue was needed. For reasons of infrastructure, therefore, a decision was made to accept the kind invitation of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore to host the event at the World Trade Centre. An ITU press release was issued on 5 March 1996 to this effect and the Host Country Agreement was signed on 3 June 1996. Exhibition space was sold out before the end of 1996 and a waiting list established. The Forum, under the theme “Asian Routes Towards the GIS”, would feature Strategies and Technology Summits as well as a Telecommunication Development Workshop (TDW) under the theme of “Network Interconnectivity” from regulatory and technical points of view, with the TDW funded by sponsorships.
5.1.1.2.5 TELECOM INTER@CTIVE 97 (8-14 September 1997)
a) A press release issued on 25 March 1996 announced that TELECOM’s new event will take place at Palexpo, Geneva. A first Consultative Preparatory Meeting was held in Geneva on 4 September 1996 with traditional and new players. A brainstorming session debated the structure of both the forum and exhibition. A second preparatory meeting was expected to take place in early 1997. The event will have two main parts: first, an exhibition and thematic pavilions focusing on health, education, commerce and intelligent living; and second, a diverse forum and its accompanying TELECOM Development Workshop. TIF’ 97 will include keynotes, panels, workshops and poster sessions, on-line discussions and video-conferences, on-site live demonstrations and off-site chat groups.
b) A major sales campaign was organized to attract new companies, many of which lie outside TELECOM’s traditional client base, to exhibit at this new event. In conformity with ITU rules and procedures, a specialized marketing agency, Mueller/ Shields OME, was hired to conduct the sales campaign in the USA, Scandinavia and South Korea. The Secretariat organized the sales campaign in all other countries.
5.1.1.2.6 Americas TELECOM 2000
The procedure to chose a country and venue for Americas TELECOM 2000 was initiated. A letter was sent to all Member country Ministers asking for indications of interest to host the next event. Argentina, Bahamas, Mexico and Uruguay indicated their interest.
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SG / TELECOM / Strategic Planning and
External Affairs Unit
5.1.1.2.7 Reorganization
At the end of June 1996, following the close of Americas TELECOM 96, Secretariat personnel were redeployed into four divisions: (1) Business Development and Marketing; (2) Exhibitions; (3) Forum; and (4) Administration and Protocol. The restructuring took place slowly with much consultation with the Personnel Department to review and grade new and existing positions. For the most part, revised and new job descriptions, which were being treated on a “top down” basis, had not been finalized at the end of 1996, but a certain number of new positions were advertised. Temporary staff were given two to three month extensions from June onwards in anticipation of the publication of vacancy notices. The restructuring was expected to be completed in 1997.
5.1.2 Strategic Planning and External Affairs Unit
a) Following the retirement of the Head of External Affairs in January 1996, the External Affairs Unit was merged with the Strategic Planning Unit to create a new Strategic Planning and External Affairs Unit. This was done in order to improve synergy between the functions performed by the two units and to meet the expenditure reduction target of 440,000 Swiss francs established by Council for the Secretary-General’s Office for the 1996-97 budget period.
b) One of the major projects undertaken by the new unit in 1996 was the organization of the first World Telecommunication Policy Forum on Global Mobile Communications by Satellite and the industry-sponsored GMPCS information session that took place in conjunction with the WTPF. A full report on these activities can be found in section 4.4 (page 10) of this report.
c) In addition to the Policy Forum, the Unit’s main activities in 1996 were as follows:
5.1.2.1 Strategic Planning
The Unit’s strategic planning activities focused on the measures required to implement the overall strategies and priorities as set out in the Strategic Plan for the Union 1995-99 and elaborated in Resolution 1 and other resolutions of the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference. Key activities included:
preparing the Secretary-General’s report on the Union’s strategic policies and plans to the 1996 Council with recommendations for future action;
providing the secretariat for the Review Committee established pursuant to Kyoto Resolution 15 on enhancing the Rights and Obligations of Sector Members;
undertaking follow-up actions further to the Council’s decisions on the reports of the Resolution 15 Review Committee and Resolution 39 report from the Secretary-General, with a view to preparing the ground for the work of ITU-2000;
analyzing the Union’s progress in implementing strategic policies and priorities and preparing a series of strategy brain-storming sessions for elected officials on current and emerging strategic issues;
Sect. 5.1.2 - 20 -SG / Strategic Planning and External Affairs Unit C97/35-E
providing the secretariat to the Coordination Committee, the Regulatory Colloquium, and the World Telecommunications Advisory Council.
5.1.2.2 Operations Analysis
a) Operations Analysis activities were focused on measures required to improve management systems and practices in the ITU Secretariat, along the lines defined in the 1995-99 strategic plan. Key activities included:
planning and development of a prototype budget, 1998-99, using full cost allocation, in cooperation with the Finance Department;
planning and coordinating a series of workshops for elected officials and senior managers to identify actions to be taken to improve management practices in the ITU Secretariat;
undertaking, in cooperation with the BR and the Finance Department, the second stage of the CARS (Cost Allocation for Radiocommunication Services) project, aimed at identifying unit costs and cost recovery options for services delivered by the Radiocommunication Bureau;
undertaking an operations review of the “QuickPub” experiment, designed to accelerate the production of ITU Recommendations, and leading a Task Force evaluating the project;
research work, in cooperation with the ITU-T, on reform of the accounting rate system, including data analysis, preparation of position papers, and drafting speeches for the Secretary-General.
providing secretariat services for the ITU Publications Policy Committee (IPPC) and helping to launch the ITU Electronic Bookshop.
b) In addition, the Operations Analysis section prepared some twenty papers, presentations and articles for the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General. Together with the BDT Information Systems Unit, the Operations Analysis section drafted and published the 1996/97 World Telecommunication Development Report on the theme of Trade in Telecommunications, the Direction of Traffic, 1996 report (with TeleGeography Inc), African Telecommunication Indicators, 1996 and Telecommunication Indicators for the Arab States, 1996. In addition, the Operations Analysis section worked closely with the BDT and the Electronic Publications Service in the launching of the Telecommunication Indicators Online service.
5.1.2.3 Relations with Members
a) During the year 1996, the Relations with Members section carried out tasks relating to the function of depository of the Acts of the Union, namely, registration of the deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Constitution and Convention (Geneva, 1992) or to the instruments amending the said Constitution and Convention (Kyoto, 1994), registration of approval or other acts of the Union, membership matters, as well as processing consultations, notifications and relevant communications.
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SG / Strategic Planning and External Affairs Unit
b) The section also:
dealt with questions relating to requests for participation in the work of the Sectors submitted by recognized operating agencies, scientific or industrial organizations, other entities dealing with telecommunication matters, regional and other international telecommunication, standardization, financial and development organizations;
took care of administrative arrangements for and provided the secretariat to the 1996 session of the Council ;
prepared the Final Acts of the World Radio Conference (WRC-95) for publication;
conducted a survey of Global Directory clients in order to determine improvements that could be made to the publication.
5.1.2.4 External Affairs
During the period under review, external affairs activities focused on strengthening the ITU’s relations with the United Nations System and other international organizations along the lines set out in the strategic plan. To this end, the section:
led a UN Inter-Agency project on Universal Access to Basic Communication and Information Services and participated in various Task Forces deriving from UN Global Conferences;
monitored the WTO talks on Basic Telecommunications and disseminated subsequent information through BDT workshops and seminars;
consulted regional telecommunication organizations on measures that could be taken to strengthen their relationship with the ITU;
coordinated the ITU’s contributions to the activities of the United Nations system, including UN conferences and meetings, the work of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) and its subsidiary bodies, the Joint Inspection Unit and other organs of the UN system;
provided protocol services, organized briefing sessions on the activities of the Union for groups of visitors, and acted as a focal point for invitations requiring inter-sectoral coordination and follow-up.
5.1.2.5 Press and Public Information Section
a) During the year under review, there was growing interest by the media and the corporate business world in areas which are relatively new to the ITU’s sphere of operation, such as the Internet, GMPCS, the development of the GII including modems and audiovisual standards, and the introduction of new telephone services such as international freephone. Taking advantage of the opportunity to promote the Union through these high-profile topics as well as through flagship publications such as the World Telecommunication Development Report, the Press Office obtained a very wide and positive coverage in the press, showing the Union as a key organization in the field of telecommunication development, analysis and prediction of market trends. Through strengthened personal relationships with key media representatives, PPI ‘sold in’ stories on these subjects thus
Sect. 5.1.2 - 22 -SG / Strategic Planning and External Affairs Unit C97/35-E
contributing to a stronger and broader support for its work. It published information on landmark achievements of the organization in 23 press releases distributed to over 10 000 addressees worldwide (governments, administrations and industry) and posted onto the World-Wide Web for public access. A small Telecommunications and the Environment Web site was also prepared on the theme “Networking for sustainable Development” on the occasion of the International Conference on Climate Change held at the United Nations.
b) The Press Office had a busy year in meeting a steady demand for articles from a range of publications around the world, for interviews with the Secretary-General and other high-ranking officials and for general information relating to ITU activities. It prepared 23 independently solicited papers and articles and responded to over 6 000 requests for information from the press, corporate and individual users of telecommunications, academic circles and the general public.
c) In collaboration with the International Olympic Committee, it prepared and disseminated the documentation required for the 28th World Telecommunication Day (17 May 1996), on the theme: "Telecommunications and Sports ". Preparations for World Telecommunication Day 1996 included a series of articles on the theme, the putting together of a set of photos of Olympic sports events, a video, audio and written message by the Secretary-General, and a press release. In addition to the traditional PR campaign with the media, ITU Members and the industry, a World Wide Web site was set up.
d) Taking the opportunity of Americas TELECOM 96 for gaining positive exposure for the Union, the Press Office designed, coordinated and managed the ITU Stand. Over 150 visitors per day have enquired on a whole range of ITU activities; several have shown serious interest in membership. Some 50 demonstrations per day of ITU electronic products – CD-ROM et on-line (publications, TIES, Indicators) were made in the three peak days of the Event.
e) For the World Telecommunication Policy Forum, considerable effort was made to prepare extensive press materials which clearly explained the topic, which was relatively new to most journalists and to our membership at large. The Press Kit contained more than 20 documents, including four full-length feature articles and comprehensive backgrounders and fact sheet. In addition, the press office managed the accreditation process, registering more than 200 journalists. An on-site press office was established for the duration of the conference, including the information session, to service the needs of media who came to Geneva to cover the event. The Policy Forum Web Site which was prepared, developed and maintained by the Press Office got 211 653 hits representing 28 777 pages accessed in only three months.
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Annex 1(to Section 5.1.2)
United Nations Resolutions
In compliance with Article IV of the Agreement between the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union, Resolutions addressed by the United Nations to the Union are to be brought to the attention of the Council. In 1996, the following UN Resolutions were communicated to the Union :
Resolution Number Title
51/18 Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference
51/20 Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States
51/30(B) Assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Liberia
51/30(E) Assistance for the reconstruction and development of Djibouti
51/30(F) Special emergency economic assistance to the Comoros
51/30(G) Assistance for humanitarian relief and the economic and social rehabilitation of Somalia
51/30(H) International assistance to Rwanda for the reintegration of returning refugee, the restoration of total peace, reconstruction and socio-economic development
51/32 Mid-term review of the implementation of the UN New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s
51/146 Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples
51/150 Assistance to the Palestinian people
51/151 Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity
51/194 Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations
51/195 Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan
51/197 The situation in Central America: procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace and progress in fashioning a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development
51/202 Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social SG\CONSEIL\C97\000\35E1.DOC 06/05/2023 06/05/2023
Annex 1 to Sect. 5.1.2 - 24 -SG / United Nations Resolutions C97/35-E
Development
51/164 Enhancing international cooperation toward a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries
51/167 International trade and development
51/176 Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development
51/177 Implementation of the outcome of the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)
51/178 First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty
51/181 Special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21
51/183 Implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
51/185 International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction
51/69 Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
51/88 Commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
51/123 International Cooperation in the peacful uses of outer space
51/138 Question relating to information
51/141 Implementation of the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations
51/216 United Nations common system: report of the International Civil Service Commission
Annex 2(to Section 5.1.2)
Activities of the Joint Inspection Unit
The report of the activities of the JIU is presented to the Council for consideration pursuant to Resolution 57 of the Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994). The titles of the reports, as prepared by the JIU during the period January-December 1996 are herewith listed
Report No. Title
JIU/REP/96/1 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: review of institutional and programme issues
JIU/REP/96/2 Feasibility Study on the relocation of UNITAR to the Turin Centre
JIU/REP/96/3 Coordination of Policy and Programming frameworks for more effective development cooperation
JIU/REP/96/4 Review of financial resources allocated by the United Nations System to activities by Non-Governmental Organizations
JIU/REP/96/5 Common Services at United Nations Headquarters
JIU/REP/96/6 Inspection of the application of United Nations Recruitment, Placement, and Promotion Policies - Part II - Placement and Promotions
JIU/REP/96/7 Comparison of methods of calculating equitable geographical distribution within the United Nations Common System
Sect. 5.1.3 - 26 -SG / PE C97/35-E
5.1.3 Personnel Department
5.1.3.1 As can be seen in Section 6 (page 118), “Administration of the Union - Staff Matters”, there was a decrease in the number of regular staff in 1996 (699) as compared to 1995 (714). For the first time, statistics are given on the number of MRT contracts attributed since the implementation of the system (5). Short-term recruitment stood at 67,670 person/days during 1996 and was again well above average in a year forecast as being less active for conferences and meetings. However, the meetings and conferences held by ITU attracted larger delegations than had been foreseen and this, in turn, had an effect on the recruitment of short-term staff.
5.1.3.2 The staff of the Personnel Department was actively involved throughout the year in the preparation of important policy documents on human resources management which were presented to Council at its 1996 session and, on the basis of which, it decided to create a Tripartite Consultative Group (Council members, ITU Administration and Staff representatives) to study all staff-related matters and to formulate recommendations to the Council with a view to preparing proposals for the next Plenipotentiary Conference to be held in 1998. The Group held one meeting in October 1996 and another one in March 1997 prior to presenting its report to the 1997 Council meeting. The Chief of the Personnel Department continued to Chair the inter-organization consultative body (CCAQ) dealing with the study of conditions of work in the international civil service and to participate in the work of other inter-organization Common System bodies to which the CCAQ reports (ACC, ICSC).
5.1.3.3 In the field of training, the ITU launched the two-year Management Development Project (MDP 2000) based on competencies which combine skills, knowledge and personal attributes, with a view to upgrading identified management competencies of targeted middle managers. At the end of the project, each manager will be assisted with an individual development plan which combines training and non-training approaches.
5.1.3.4 In addition to the 90 individual training courses taken outside the ITU, group training organized for common needs at the ITU was dispensed to 264 staff members totaling 47 learning days and nine different course subjects. These statistics do not include computer training courses which are under the responsibility of the Information Services Department. The main characteristic of the 1996 training programme was an emphasis placed on technical training targeted to staff without knowledge of telecommunications.
5.1.3.5 Telecommunications training has been identified as one of the main priority areas. Such training for telecommunication engineers has so far been dispensed by individual external courses, given the difficulty of grouping common needs. Some needs were expressed by staff for telecommunications training for non-specialists which will allow them to better understand subjects handled daily in their workplace. An introductory course on telecommunications for non-telecommunication specialists was followed by 70 staff members. Presentations on new telecommunication services targeted for two distinct groups, specialists and non-specialists, were also organized for 80 staff members.
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5.1.3.6 In the area of post classification, the Department finalized the Classification Guidelines for Telecommunication Engineering Posts, prepared in response to Resolution 1 (Strategic Plan 1995-1999) of the Final Acts of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994). The Plenipotentiaries had requested that criteria be developed to take into account the highly technical requirements of many ITU Professional positions and the important managerial requirements of other positions. It is proving to be a useful tool for both the classifiers and managers in the organization. The staff participated in a UN Common System Working Group on the updating of the ICSC Tier II Classification Standard for Human Resources Management Specialists. The restructuring of TELECOM approved by the 1996 Council involved close participation on the part of the Personnel Department in the establishment, revision and grading of job descriptions for all of its posts. The workload on this and other organizational changes, as well as on on-going individual requests, represented approximately 120 classification actions, including 89 confirmation of grades, 9 upgradings, 6 downgradings and 2 creation of posts and other general studies.
5.1.4 Finance Department
5.1.4.1 The Finance Department continued the implementation of the financial management system as well as streamlining the related procedures for the 1996-1997 budget and accounts.
5.1.4.2 The action plan for the follow-up of the External Auditor’s Report, including improvements in the areas of financial and accounting management, the computerized financial system and its interfaces as well as the enhancement of the integrated financial management system continued to be the high priority in the work of the Finance Department.
5.1.4.3 Measures to enhance the staffing of the Finance Department had been initiated. Delegation of authority in financial matters was reviewed and related instructions issued. The application of cost recovery principle was further extended to special accounts, such as UIFN, TIES and ITU seminars. The procedures for internal invoicing were reviewed and streamlined. Special attention was paid to speeding up the recovery of arrears.
5.1.4.4 Guidelines were issued for the preparation of the biennial Budget of the Union, 1998-1999, and the budget preparation procedure was commenced. The accounts for TELECOM 95 were finalized and submitted for audit. The accounts of Americas TELECOM 96 were closed.
5.1.4.5 The Finance Department took part in the study on the strengthening of the financial base of the Union (Resolution 39), in the work of the Review Committee (Resolution 15) as well as in the work of ITU-2000. It also participated in the study on the full allocation of costs within the Union.
5.1.4.6 The Finance Department participated also in the work related to WTSC, Americas TELECOM 96 and CCAQ as well as in the preparation of Asia TELECOM 97 and TELECOM Interactive 97.
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Sect. 5.1.5 - 28 -SG / CONF C97/35-E
5.1.5 Conferences Department
The Conferences Department is responsible for translation and interpretation services in the six working languages, publication of ITU News, practical organization of conferences ,terminology and reference services, document composition and handling and conversion of electronic documents. The Department also supervised and coordinated all aspects of the implementation of Resolution 62 (Kyoto, 1994) concerning the use of Arabic, Chinese and Russian.
5.1.5.1 Conference Service
a) The following conferences and meetings were held in 1996:
Conference/Meeting Days Geneva Days outside Geneva Total
Council - C96 8 8
Review Committee 5 5
ITU-2000 2 2
Working Group on Languages 1 1
World Telecommunication Advisory Council
1 2 3
World Telecommunication Policy Forum 4 4
Miscellaneous meetings 10 10
Americas TELECOM 6 6
Meetings relating to Telecom and Forum 2 2
ITU-R meetings 272 158 430
CPM-96 and Prep. CPM 8 8
RRB 20 20
RAG 5 5
BR Radiocommunication Seminar 5 5
BR Regional Radiocommunication Seminars, Bamako and Sofia
10 10
Resolution 18 Fora, Brasilia, Seoul and Geneva
3 6 9
ITU-T meetings 136 36 172
TSAG 10 10
WTSC-96 8 8
ITU-D meetings 8 8
Regional Telecommunication Development Conferences, Abidjan and Beirut
10 10
TDAB 5 5
BDT courses, seminars, workshops and 12 304 316SG\CONSEIL\C97\000\35E2.DOC 06/05/2023 06/05/2023
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other meetings relating to Telecommunication Development
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Sect. 5.1.5 - 30 -SG / CONF C97/35-E
b)The Interpretation Service recruited 418 interpreters on a total of 594 contracts representing 2 369 working days.
c) The chart at the end of section 5.1.6 (page 34) shows the volume of document-production services provided for ITU activities for the period 1986-1996, with details for the Sectors.
d) In 1996, the English, French and Spanish Translation Sections translated and revised a total of 50 800 pagesi (compared with 56 700 in 1995). This work was done by permanent staff, supernumerary staff hired on short-term contracts according to the workload and external collaborators. The total included some 11 100 pages (22%) which were contracted out (outsourcing).
e) Moreover, these Sections are responsible for drawing up the official minutes and summary records of conferences and meetings, which amounted to 386 working days in 1996.
f) Their routine activities also include the participation of linguists in the editorial committees at major conferences, ad hoc interpreting (43 days), recruitment and training of a pool of permanent and temporary translators, language assistance to the Sectors and Departments of the Union, and organizing, monitoring and revising outsourced translations.
g)The Arabic, Chinese and Russian Translation Services translated and revised a number of ITU-R and ITU-T volumes, handbooks and Final Acts of conferences. The production of the Chinese and Russian versions of some volumes was contracted out. A total of 4 0001 pages of volumes were printed in Arabic, 7 4001 in Chinese and 6 3001 in Russian. These services also translated and typed in Arabic, Chinese and Russian 56, 55 and 54 trilingual issues, respectively, of the Special Section on space services of the BR Weekly Circular, amounting to 6 600 pages in Arabic, 6 400 in Chinese and 6 300 in Russian, i.e. a total of 19 300 final pages (compared with 13 700 in 1995).
h)As part of the search for innovative solutions in the field of translation and following a study carried out by STRAIT (see below), a pilot scheme for computer-aided translation has been launched (CAT). The initial results are expected in Spring 1997.
i) In 1996, the Section for Terminology, References and Computer Aids to Translation (STRAIT) continued with the expansion of TERMITE. Some 2 727 additions, corrections and deletions were made to the database, which now contains nearly 60 000 entries. Accessible on TIES (Gopher and the WWW), the database was consulted on average 2 000 times a month (in-house and from outside).
j) The Section published and marketed a new printed version of TERMITE. It pursued the development of the computerized system for terminology management (TIMBER project), which is intended to replace the current system operating on the Siemens mainframe. It also participated in inter-agency conferences with its United Nations counterparts and continued to keep track of technological developments in the field of translation. In cooperation with the translation sections, STRAIT has selected a computer-aided translation system which will be operated on a trial basis as from early 1997.
i Pages are given to the nearest hundred.SG\CONSEIL\C97\000\35E2.DOC 06/05/2023 06/05/2023
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k)The Reference Service processed some 2 300 documents and responded to some 3 000 queries, while developing the available documentation and improving access to the information required by translators. The Registration Service processed some 3 800 documents and also did word counts on around 430 publications for the Arabic, Russian and Chinese Services.
l) The Document Composition Service produced 95 017 final A4 pages of documents during 1996. The workload for each Sector can be broken down as follows:
ITU-T 55 632 pages (59%) ITU-R 21 318 pages (22%) ITU-D 10 910 pages (11%) of the total output.
m) The operators transcribed 61 798 statistical A4 pages for translators, as follows: 26 009 pages for the French Section, 4 962 pages for the English Section and 30 827 pages for the Spanish Section.
n)Since October 1996, on a trial basis and at the request of the TSB editing service, the Service has set up a pilot production unit, which is responsible for testing and refining a new procedure called "QuickPub" with the dual objective of accelerating the publication of ITU-T Recommendations and adjusting their format to permit electronic consultation.
o) In the space of three months, this unit, which is composed of three operators E/F/S and effective technical support, has attained all the objectives assigned to it and produced 34 Recommendations, i.e. a total of 3 068 pages, in record time (21 days on average according to a study by the Strategic Planning Unit). The "QuickPub" procedure simultaneously provides the final consolidated file to be posted on the Web and the paper copy.
p)On behalf of outside administrations and ITU services, the EDMG (Electronic Document Management Group):
converted 18 950 pages;
formatted 9 807 pages;
produced 15 875 diskettes for the outside; and
scanned 2 113 pages of documents and 778 figures in Designer.
5.1.5.2 ITU Newsletter
Since 1 January 1996, the “ITU Newsletter” has been replaced by “ITU News” with a new layout and a new cover. Ten issues of “ITU News” were published in 1996 in three separate editions (English, French and Spanish) with a total of 404 pages per language edition. Production, including film production, is handled in-house while printing is contracted outside the ITU. Various promotional exercises were carried out during the various ITU events (Americas TELECOM, World Telecommunication Policy Forum, World Telecommunication Standardization Conference, Regional Telecommunication Development Conference for the African States and for the Arab States) which resulted in a marked increase in the number of readers (10.790). ITU News is distributed free of charge in practically all the ITU Member coutries and among many Sector Members.
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Sect. 5.1.6 - 32 -SG / SC C97/35-E
5.1.6 Common Services Department
a) The main theme in 1996 in the department was faster delivery of services to customers and improved productivity. In this respect, staff attitudes and increased use of information-technology tools and systems were the key contributors.
b)The publications sector continued its rapid evolution, and a new “Electronic Bookshop” service was successfully launched in the summer of 1996. This innovation was an outstanding example of teamwork across the ITU, including the bureaux, the IS and Finance Departments. Improvements in sales and marketing contributed significantly to the exceptional income from the sale of ITU publications.
c) In the building-related activities, the cafeteria on the 15th floor of the Tower Building was renovated, and new offices were prepared for the Telecom Unit in the premises rented from the FIPOI in the nearby EFTA building. For the Montbrillant construction project, the detailed specifications were completed, an invitation-to-bid was issued and a preliminary evaluation of the proposals received was completed. Work will commence in 1997, and the construction will be completed in the year 2000.
d)The following sections provide summaries and statistics for different services in the department.
5.1.6.1 Publication Composition Service
a) Every effort is made to keep pace with technological developments. Accordingly, in 1996, the Service changed over to the new versions of NT, WinWord and Designer, and staff training continued with no break in output.
b)The output of the Composition Service increased by 40% as compared with the previous year and by 54% as compared with the average for the years 1992-1995, despite a reduction in staff of 11% as compared with the average for the years 1992-1995.
c) All the Recommendations in force are available not only in hard copy, but are also accessible on-line and can be downloaded through the ITU World Wide Web server (http://www.itu.int). The texts are available in WinWordTM 2.0c and PostscriptTM format and will also be available from the beginning of 1997 in PDF Adobe AcrobatTM format.
BUREAUX 1992 1993 1994 1995 Average 1992 / 95
1996 Difference
TSB: Rec. 5 902 37 563 40 994 28 915 28 343 32 121 + 13 %Handbooks 8 553 1 044 2 331 3 976 1 718 – 57 %
BR: Circulars 5 699 8 106 11 292 14 841 9 984 22 406 + 124 %Volumes 5 043 3 103 8 061 10 467 6 668 13 837 + 107 %Lists sous SG sous SG 6 620 6 480 6 550 4 960 – 24 %RR 697 sous SG 3 397 280 1 458 13 530 + 828 %
BDT: Various 106 261 3 439 1 288 1 273 1 420 + 11 %
SG: Various 18 278 18 427 6 901 9 553 11 784 11 467 – 10 %
GraphicsColour separation
1 799
TOTAL 44 278 67 460 81 748 74 155 66 910 103 258 + 54 %
Staff 47 47 50 40 46 41 – 11 %
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5.1.6.2 Sales and Marketing Unit
The volume of publications produced by the Union is given in the following table:
Set/Subset Number Copies Number of pagesBDT 16 4 380 2 910BR 210 287 577 87 986SG 70 40 055 8 166TSB Recommendations 848 343 520 40 552
Other publications 99 65 465 5 057TLC 21 172 500 1 232
TOTAL 1 264 913 497 145 903
5.1.6.2.1 Sales Service
Some salient features of 1996 were:
a considerable reduction in the time taken for processing orders, quoting prices and invoicing;
availability of the Catalogue of Publications and Lists of ITU-T and ITU-R Recommendations on the Web, which are updated weekly and are consulted by the majority of customers;
an increase of some 6% in subscriptions to the on-line service. On the other hand, there was a reduction in hard copy orders;
launching of the Electronic Bookshop in August. Recommendations are sold via the Web, the invoiced amount being automatically debited against a credit card;
the large number of conferences held and the introduction of publications using new media contributed to the attainment of an exceptional turnover of some 12 600 000 Swiss Francs.
5.1.6.2.2 Marketing
The main tasks completed in 1996 were as follows:
continued inclusion of outside advertising material in BR publications, with the Handbook on digital radio-relay networks;
a market study conducted among purchasers of the ITU Global Directory in order to improve the appearance, contents and electronic version of that publication;
launch of a promotional campaign for the introduction of the Electronic Bookshop, in particular in the international press;
signature of various agreements for the resale of ITU publications, the purpose being to rationalize the distribution network worldwide;
Sect. 5.1.6 - 34 -SG / SC C97/35-E
stronger ITU presence at exhibitions on telecommunications with the production of promotional literature specially intended for Americas TELECOM, the Frankfurt Book Fair and Digimédia in Montreux.
5.1.6.3 Electronic Publishing Service
a) The regular production of the ITU-T recommandations on CD-ROM continued with growing popularity among the customers.
b)For the ITU-R sector, the production of the International Frequency List, the Plans and Space Radiocommunications Systems on CD-ROM continued as well, and the HFBC schedules and software products were regularly published on diskette.
c) In addition to the regular production of CD-ROM titles already available for sale, several new titles were also developed using new technologies.
d)To create multiplatform and fully searchable titles, Adobe Acrobat PDF technology was introduced for several new titles:
the Forum Papers of Americas Telecom on CD-ROM;
the Telecommunication Indicator reports on the Web, and
the ITU-R Recommendations on the Web as well as the forthcoming CD-ROM edition planned for 1997.
5.1.6.4 Outside Publications Service
Number of publications and other material produced in
1996 (including TELECOM)
Total number of pages
Total number of copies
Total invoiced(Swiss francs)
Published on:paper, CD-ROM, On-line, microfiche, diskette 1733 147 867 196 659 518 2’076’077.–
TELECOM 1’364’179.–
TOTAL 3’440’256.–
5.1.6.5 Reprography and Audiovisual Service
5.1.6.5.1 Reprography Section
The Reprography Section processed 15.220 orders representing 92.888.028 A4 runs, of which 19.456.892 pages were for publications, a decrease of 17.5 % as compared with 1995.
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NUMBER OF PAGES
Source 1992 1993 1994 1995 AVERAGE 1996
TSB 67’716’096 39’066’308 43’677’369 50’780’086 50’309’965 38’716’572
BR 10’550’298 18’541’357 16’425’171 33’068’144 19’646’242 17’359’917
BDT 4’056’518 4’242’565 5’981’823 4’184’361 4’616’317 6’610’589
Publication 3’819’055 11'145'203 17’783’530 15’382’833 12’032’655 19’456’892
SG / Other 24’367’785 10'023'331 16’520’135 9’245’818 15’039,267 10’744’058
Total production 110’509’752 83'018'764 100'388'028 112’661’242 101’644’446 92’888’028
5.1.6.5.2 Conference Documents Section
The Conference Documents Section handled 3.550.220 documents (i.e. 44.48% fewer than in 1995) of which 1.303.555 were dispatched (23.55% fewer than in 1995) and 1.921.475 distributed (54.39% fewer than in 1995). The remaining documents were kept in stock.
DOCUMENTS HANDLED
Source 1992 1993 1994 1995 AVERAGE 1996
TSB 2'333'290 2'609'698 2'128'335 2'472'175 2’385’874 1.791.325
BR 1'056'760 1'967'890 1'516'370 1'829'555 1’592’644 1.257.160
OTHER 34'083 67'177 12'220 1'646'040 439’880 225.845
SG / Other 2'175'640 109'005 1'390'955 161'270 959’217 81.900
Council 194'595 180'455 231'840 285'970 223’215 193.990
Total Production 5'794’368 4'934'225 5'279'720 6'395'010 5’600’830 3.550.220
5.1.6.5.3 Dispatch and Transport Section
a) The Dispatch and Transport Section sent out 168’501 kg of publications, documents and conference material (value 4’785’283.-- Swiss francs) by freight at a cost of 354'759 Swiss francs.
b) It dispatched from headquarters various printed matter (621.876 items) at a cost of 1’560’175,64-- Swiss francs and 185.328 parcels of conference documents at a cost of 818’496,50-- Swiss francs. It handled 15.957 registered items. Surface mail accounted for 63% of total traffic.
DISPATCH COSTS
Dispatches in Swiss francs
1992 1993 1994 1995 AVERAGE 1996
BY FREIGHT 276'000.00 253'870.00 270'037.00 247.236.-- 261’785’75 354’759.--
BY MAIL 913'000.00 1'158'739.65 1'087'412.01 1.158.506.-- 1’079’414’41 1.560.175,64
CONFERENCE 1'084'000.00 795'101.50 923'597.64 999.537.-- 950’559’04 818’496’50
Total Cost 2’273’000’00 2'207'711.15 2'281'046.65 2.405.279.-- 2’291’759,20 2’733’431,14
Sect. 5.1.6 - 36 -SG / SC C97/35-E
5.1.6.5.4 Drawing and Audiovisual Section
a) As in previous years, the computer graphics service handled the preparation and copying on film of numerous conference documents intended both for on-screen presentations and for projection in the form of slides or films for overhead projectors. Most of the section's work involved graphical creations issued in printed or multimedia form.
b)In 1996, the Audiovisual Service was responsible, in collaboration with the Press Service and TELECOM, for producing video programmes, recorded messages and interviews. Management of the photographic library and new electronic images and the assimilation of new software for multimedia and use of new media such as CD-photo were also important tasks.
5.1.6.6 Logistic Service
a) The Logistic Service pursued its policy of cost effectiveness in cooperation with both the Joint Purchase Service and various enterprises in all matters concerning the purchase or hire of furniture, machines and office supplies and the maintenance of buildings.
b)Expenditure on purchases of furniture and machines amounted to 3.661.000 Swiss francs (including computer equipment), on office supplies to 3.671.000 Swiss francs and on building maintenance to 4.018.359 Swiss francs.
c) Major operations were undertaken such as replacement of the UPS (Uninterrupted power supply) unit in the computer centre, renovation of the cafeteria on the fifteenth floor of the Tower, replacement of the fire detection system, renovation of the new premises to which the TELECOM staff were relocated, repair of 200 window blinds in the Tower building, installation of two air-conditioning cabinets in the computer centre, installation of air-conditioning in certain premises and an inventory of the Union's property.
d)Nine international call for bids were issued, the most important of which concerned cleaning of the ITU buildings, office furniture and renovation of the plumbing installations in the Varembé building.
e) The Service carried out 391 removals, made arrangements for 15 large conferences and for 40 receptions and parties, renovated 91 offices, 8 corridors and emergency staircases in the Tower, equipped 90 offices with new furniture, fitted out 20 offices and installed 150 pigeon-holes for delegates, processed 1 769 requests for supplies and received 749 tons of goods.
f) The Service was constantly called upon to intervene in connection with the everyday maintenance of the buildings, security, installation and control of high ad low voltage facilities, air conditioning, carpentry, the distribution of goods and so forth, as well as the telephone service for staff members, delegates and conference particpants.
g)A detailed report on the Montbrillant building project is contained in a separate document.
5.1.6.7 Library and Archive Service
a) The Library acquired some 400 volumes as well as publications on electronic media (databases, periodicals, etc.) and videos.
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b)A study on the restructuring of the Library and Archives was entrusted to an independent consultant. The major recommendations were:
move towards a virtual library, while maintaining some additional conventional services;
introduction of new procedures for handling the stock (cataloguing, electronic delivery of documents, etc.);
coordination of activities for the introduction of an electronic archiving system;
analysis of staff requirements and preparation of new job descriptions for the staff of the Service.
c) The Archives responded to about 100 requests for consultation and research, registered 152 requests for files and provided 5 800 photocopied pages. The different services of the Union sent 142 linear metres of files to the Archives.
5.1.6.8 Planning and Computerization Service
a) The Service assisted in preparing the budgets for the different parts of the Department and the ITU publications budget.
b)Computerization activities in 1996 were closely coordinated with the Information Services Department: the work done included the following:
development of programs for the sale of ITU-T and ITU-R Recommendations over the Internet using credit cards;
creation of a databank containing the full catalogue of ITU publications and printing out of hard copies from the database;
the Document Production System (DPS) improved through the extension of the number of users and the addition of new functions, and a WEB interface.
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5.1.7 Information Services Department
a) The Information Services Department continued in 1996 to enhance the services provided to external users (e.g., officials from Member States, participants in Study Group activities, customers of ITU online publications) and internal users (ITU Headquarters and Regional Offices staff).
b)Key 1996 service enhancements and new services addressing requirements of external users, usually under the Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) environment, include:
development of the Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN) system and implementation of a special fax facility for the UIFN registry system
development of the Web access to the ITU Electronic Bookshop using secure electronic commerce technology
performance improvement of ITU Publications online subscription paid services
improvement of services for the work of ITU Study Groups
development of online access through the Web to various ITU databases (e.g., UIFN, Space Networks, Maritime Services, TELECOM)
representation of ITU in Internet governance issues, in particular concerning global Top Level Domain names (TLDs); participation in the International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC)
direct Information Technology (IT) support to Member States (e.g., Cameroon, Laos), including assistance in the development of Internet services within the framework of the Buenos Aires Action Plan programme 12
IT support to Geneva-based Missions to the United Nations (donations of PCs, hosting of WEB sites, Internet connectivity, training)
cooperation with other UN organizations including the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA), the Information Systems Co-ordination Committee (ISCC), the Inter-Agency Telecommunication Co-ordination Group (IATCG)
cooperation with other international and regional organizations including ISO, IEC and the Council of Europe
extensive IT support to regional conferences: Africa Development Conference, Americas TELECOM, Arab States Development Conference
led ISCC initiative to develop the United Nations International Organizations Network Search (UNIONS), a hierarchical classification and search tool for the UN Organizations Web and Gopher servers
contract for Web hosting and support of UNDHA's ReliefWeb and ISCC’s UNAPP database
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?1 ongoing hosting of UN/ECE Editfact/Editrans documents on the web
hosting ITC’s Virtual Exhibition to aid developing countries trade
hosting Web sites for Permanent Missions (currently 13)
provided Internet access and PCs for WIPO diplomatic conference
supported other conferences (e.g., DAVIC and UNEP)
coordination of the successful Geneva MAN pilot project
creation of the Networking Technologies Center
started cost recovery for some TIES services
infrastructure upgrades of TIES servers and remote access modem capacity
several presentations of the ITU information exchange services were made at external events and at Study Group meetings
c) Key 1996 service enhancements addressing requirements of internal users include:
started implementation of ATM LAN and study of some wireless LAN solutions
extension of networking and PABX services to the EFTA building (TELECOM Secretariat)
new version of the internal WEB service with full text indexing of ITU’s document repository and access to administrative documents (e.g., Service Orders)
enhancements of the financial and sales/distribution management systems including planning for migration to the client/server environment
development of the TELECOM Information System using client/server technology
development of new ITUDOC client
contract for maintenance of all Microsoft software used at ITU
detailed evaluation of document management alternatives
Database Management Division reestablished
participation in internal task forces (e.g., QuickPub Task Force)
extensive testing of future messaging system
implementation of a general fax broadcast facility
use of Actualuit to inform HQ staff of IS developments
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started pilot evaluation for outsourcing (off-shore) of software development (UIFN system, new ITUDOC client, migration of Maritime Services)
participation in the development of the new ILO/ITU Health Insurance Information System (HIIS) (together with ILO, WHO, UNOG)
installation of about 200 PCs complementing the migration to Windows NT on all desktops and NT training of most staff
installation of 12 new Windows NT servers and 3 new UNIX servers
d) The above list of activities does not include the many important day-to-day operations of ITU’s IT environment including user support and training, assets management, operation of the network and servers, network security, data backup, routine enhancement and maintenance of administrative software, upgrading of software packages, etc.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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5.2 Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)
5.2.1 Introduction and Overview
a) The Radiocommunication Bureau continued to support all Sector activities. The Bureau provided services to administrations and users in application of the Radio Regulations, including the coordination and registration of radio-frequency assignments and satellite orbits. It allocated international identification series and provided maritime mobile information services. It conducted seminars and training sessions for national frequency management requirements, in close cooperation with the Bureau for Telecommunication Development. The Bureau provided, on behalf of the Sector, liaison, coordination and assistance to the Telecommunication Development and Telecommunication Standardization Sectors and supported the Radio Regulations Board (RRB).
b)The Radiocommunication Bureau developed an operational plan for the Bureau for 1997, which was presented to the Radiocommunication Advisory Group. Such plans represent an important tool in attempting to reconcile the growing Radiocommunication Sector workload and the resources available.
c) The Radio Regulations Board provided, through its Rules of Procedures, important directives for the application of the Radio Regulations. An important element in the management of the Radiocommunication Sector was the advice from the Radiocommunication Advisory Group (19-23 February 1996).
d)Three main activities characterised the work in the Radiocommunication Bureau: the processing of notifications for space and terrestrial radiocommunication services; the support for the work of the ITU-R Study Groups and the preparatory work for radiocommunication conferences
5.2.2 Frequency assignments to stations in the space radiocommunication services
a) In 1996, the number of cases to be treated as well as their complexity continued to increase due to the technological, operational and regulatory developments in the satellite communication environment and due to the increased recognition of the economic value of the spectrum/orbit resources. This increasing workload continues to have a significant impact on the work of the Bureau. Figure 1 shows the evolution of the number of submissions relating to space networks received by the Bureau for processing (capture, technical/regulatory examination and publication).
Evolution of the number of Space Networks
(submissions received for AR11/RS46)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96
adv.publ
coord
Evolution of BSS Plan modifications(Art4.of AP30/30A)
020406080
100120140160
86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96
BSS&Feed.l.Plans
Figure 1
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b)The number of Special Sections concerning satellite networks processed and published in 1996 under the procedures of Articles 11, 14 and Resolutions 33 and 46 (advance publication, coordination) was 1482. This represents a more than 50% increase in the production of these Special Sections, with respect to 1995.
c) The number of satellite network and earth station frequency assignment notices notified under Article 13 during the year 1996 appears in the following table:
Number of : Satellite networks Earth stations
networks and stations notified in 1996 and requiring examination
162 266
cancellations notified in 1996 11 42
d)Examination of the notices concerning the FSS Allotment plan submitted by administrations in application of Article 6 of Appendix 30B continued and the results were conveyed to administrations through circular- and multi-address telegrams.
e) Results of examination of BSS and Feeder-link Plan submissions by Administrations in application of Articles 4 and 5 of Appendixes 30 and 30A were published in Special Sections and Parts I and II of the Weekly Circular as appropriate. Forty such Special Sections were published during 1996. In addition, special assistance was rendered to Administrations related to the application of different procedures of these Appendices.
f) In 1996, substantial efforts were made to reduce the backlog resulting from the increasing number and complexity of space networks submitted to the Bureau. The 1995 and 1996 sessions of the Council made additional financial provisions permitting to the Bureau to recruit additional P and G staff reinforcements. These efforts were, however, counterbalanced by the unprecedented input flow of advance publication and coordination submissions(Article 11 and Resolution 46) as well as Plan modifications proposed for Article 4 of Appendices 30/30A. In addition, part of the above staff reinforcement had to be allocated to post-Conference tasks decided by WRC-95. The BSS planning exercise of Resolution 531 was particularly time and resource consuming due to the high number and unexpected complexity of the submissions to be treated. Major data-capture, engineering and software development activities had to be undertaken. Particular efforts were needed to link the FSS and plan data bases and technical examination chains to undertake interregional sharing studies and examinations.
g)Staff reinforcement and the introduction of more automated treatment of data have contributed to increase the productivity of the Bureau, the rate of publications (including data capture, technical and regulatory examinations) having considerably increased. Some of the above measures will nevertheless be fully effective only in the medium and longer term. Consequently, it is not expected that the backlog situation (both in the BSS and FSS/MSS environment) will be resolved in a satisfactory manner before the forthcoming WRC-97.
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h)Due to the above evolution and the fact that, in recent years, staff resources and software assistance could not follow the rate of the increase in the workload, and in spite of the measures taken and the resulting higher rate of production, delays in the treatment of material received represent a continuing problem. The most critical areas of processing delays are: the satellite network coordination (examination and publication of AR11/C Special Sections) and Plan modification procedures where the publication delay (at the end of 1996) was still about 16 to 18 months. The following table summarises the response times (processing delays between dates of receipt and publication including all necessary technical and regulatory examinations) in the main sectors of space activities:
Article 11, RS33, RS46 Article 13 AP30/30A AP30B
adv. publ. coordination recording plan mod. conversion
response time
6-7 months 18 months 18 months 18 months 12 months
5.2.3 Frequency assignments to stations in the terrestrial radiocommunication services
a) The processing of notices for terrestrial services involves the examination of conformity with the Radio Regulations and various frequency assignment and allotment plans as contained in the Radio Regulations or annexed to Regional Agreements. It also involves, for specific bands, the calculation of the probability of harmful interference. As a result of successful regulatory and, where required, technical examinations, the assignments are recorded in the Master International Frequency Register.
b)As reflected in the chart below, the workload related to the processing of terrestrial notifications over the last six years has considerably increased (more than 100% between 1990 and 1996). This trend is expected to continue with the prospect of an increase in the number of terrestrial notifications in the bands shared with the space services.
Terrestrial Services DepartmentRelative Workload
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996Rela
tive
No. o
f sub
mis
sion
s re
ceiv
edw
ith re
spec
t to
1990
leve
ls
Publications
Assistance
GE89
GE85
GE84
RIO81
GE75
ST61
Article 17
Article 12
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5.2.3.1 Registration and publication of assignment notices
a) In 1996, the Bureau received 23839 notices from administrations under RR Art.12, including 4303 notices in the bands shared with the space services. All these notices were captured, validated, corrected and 23767 notices were published in the Weekly Circular.
b) In addition, some 5122 notices dealing with the various plans (AP25, AP26, ST61, GE75, RJ81, GE84, GE85MM, GE85EMA, GE89, RJ88) were received in 1996. The Bureau also received 1663 electronic notices and has treated 3701 notices received in 1995 and 1996 concerning RR Art. 12 (2337) and ST61 and RJ81 Plans (1364). In 1996, 32917 notices for the High Frequency Broadcasting Service (HFBC) were received and processed on a weekly basis resulting in the publication, every month, of the Tentative Schedule on diskette. All reports of harmful interference are treated by the Bureau as matters of urgency, particularly where safety services are involved. In 1996, 180 cases of harmful interference were closed and 83 new cases were received, 86 cases are under treatment. Most of the above procedures are currently under review as part of the development of a new frequency management system for the terrestrial services (TerRaSys).
5.2.3.2 Broadcasting Services
a) The regulatory and technical examination of broadcasting notices (see table below) to modify the broadcasting plans was carried out with less than a 3 month delay.
Regional Agreement No. of assignments
ST61 2881
GE75 95
RJ81 57
GE84 1859
GE89 8
b)In addition, 4905 frequency assignments were examined under RR Art. 12, including 932 frequency assignments in the bands governed by the appropriate Regional agreements (examination of conformity with the relevant Plans and the other provisions of the Agreements)
c) The technical processing of High Frequency Broadcasting notices under Art. 17 involved the identification of severe incompatibilities, the selection of appropriate bands and frequencies when requested by administrations and the preparation of Tentative Schedules. Some 35134 notices were processed during 1996.
d) In the application of Art. 14, 96 notices of broadcasting assignments were treated in 1996.
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5.2.3.4 Fixed and Mobile Services
a) Notices received under RR Art. 12 for the Fixed and Mobile Services were examined within the regulatory time frame fixed in the Radio Regulations. In 1996, the Bureau examined 20027 such notices, including 3744 notices in the bands shared with the space services.
b)The Bureau also applied other regulatory procedures related to the Fixed and Mobile Services as described in the Radio Regulations and in relevant Resolutions and Regional Agreements.
Procedure No. of assignments/allotments
AR14 115
AR16 31
GE85 12
RS300 47
RS339 2
RC402 11
5.2.3.5 Administrative and Operational provisions of the Radio Regulations
a) The Bureau provided assistance to administrations and other entities in the application of administrative and operational procedures which constitute a significant part of the Radio Regulations. In 1996, several queries were received concerning the use of international call sign series. Clarification on the use of the selective calling system was provided to eleven administrations. The following means of identification were assigned in this period:
eight blocks of ship station selective call numbers: ATG (1 block), BAH (1 block), MLA (1 block), PNR (3 blocks), THA (1 block) and USA (1 block);
five blocks of coast stations identification numbers : BRU (1), G/HKG (1 block), INS (3 blocks);
one Maritime Identification Digit (MID) (368 to USA). Other requests from four administrations for the allocation of new MIDs could not be fulfilled as such requests were inconsistent with the RR - appropriate explanations and comments were provided.
b)In view of the difficulties in assigning blocks of “five-digit” selective call numbers in the maritime mobile service, a circular letter (No. CR/55 of 6 August 1996) was prepared and the administrations were requested to return any unused blocks. Four blocks were returned. As the remaining number of blocks is nearly depleted, the Bureau is supplying blocks from the remaining series only to administrations which expressed urgent needs, providing that the obligations of notification under RR2089 have been fulfilled.
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5.2.3.6 Monitoring Summaries (regular and special monitoring)
a) All data on regular monitoring have been captured and will be published during the first quarter of 1997 (59345 observations).
b) In the context of the special monitoring programme in the band 406 - 406.1 MHz (Resolution 205, WARC MOB-83) the observations from four administrations of the COSPAS/SARSAT system concerned 65 unauthorised emissions involving 57 administrations. Some 16 emissions ceased by the end of 1996.
5.2.3.7 Maintenance of the Master International Frequency Register
a) At the end of 1996 , the Master Register contained particulars of 1, 211, 275 assignments to terrestrial stations representing 5,580,720 line entries which are published in the International Frequency List at periodic intervals not exceeding six months. This publication is available only on CD-ROM.
b)For the space services at the same time the Master Register contained 324,083 assignments to 1,406 satellite networks and 4,262 Earth stations.
c) In accordance with Sections V and VI of Article 12 of the Radio Regulations, the Bureau carried out several reviews of selected bands of assignments recorded in the Master Register and effected necessary modifications to their Findings and/or the associated remarks in the different columns. This action was in response to certain decisions of administrative conferences. Additionally, the Bureau on its own initiative undertook a number of reviews to correct certain inconsistencies in the remarks contained in some columns of the Master Register.
5.2.4 Conferences and Meetings
5.2.4.1 Study Group Meetings
5.2.4.1.1 Study Group 1 (Spectrum Management)
a) Adequate preparation and organization of the meetings of Working Parties, Task Groups and Study Groups was ensured. Follow-up included verification of output documents and processing of the Chairmen's report.
b)Draft Revision of Recommendations ITU-R SM.668 on methods of exchanging computer programs and data for spectrum management purposes, and ITU-R. SM.856 on use of interference cancellers, screens and adaptive antennas and a draft new Recommendation on performance functions for digital modulation systems in an interference environment have been adopted and sent for approval “by correspondence”.
c) The draft Revision of Recommendation ITU-R SM.1046 on definitions of spectrum use and efficiency of a radio system, and draft new Recommendation on efficient spectrum utilisation using probabilistic methods, have been adopted for submission to the Radiocommunication Assembly for approval.
d)The Study Group adopted the texts of 7 draft new and 3 draft revised Recommendations, subject to the application of the consultation procedure.
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e) Draft Revisions of Question 204/1 and draft new Questions on Wireless Power Transmission and on Unwanted Emissions were adopted and it was agreed to apply the procedure of Resolution ITU-R1-1 for approval of Questions in the interval between Assemblies.
f) Two Draft Decisions were approved: to establish Task Group TG 1/5 on unwanted emissions and the modification of Recommendation ITU-R SM.328-7 on spectra and bandwidth of emissions for the part concerning out-of-band emissions; and, to establish the WP 1B Rapporteurs’ Group on Economic and Alternative Spectrum Management Issues.
g)Working Party 1A contributed to the draft CPM report to WRC-97 on issues related to the revision of Appendix S7 and on “Adaptive MF/HF systems”. Work was initiated on “Main parameters for an adaptive HF system” and on “Long term strategies for spectrum utilisation”.
h)Working Party 1B drafted a new Recommendation on “The effect on digital communications systems of interference from other modulation schemes” and decided to develop a report on spectrum economics and alternative spectrum management issues.
i) Working Party 1C prepared draft new Recommendations on a “Method and procedure for determining the accuracy of direction finding bearings at monitoring stations” and on the “Minimum requirements for radio monitoring stations in the developing countries”.
j) Task Group 1/3 finalised the studies on “Spurious emissions limitation through a revision of Recommendation ITU-R SM.329” (spurious emissions). Areas of difficulty in this work were:
a more accurate definition of the necessary bandwidth, particularly in addressing multicarrier or multichannel transmitters or transponders;
a proper way to separate the out-of-band emissions from spurious emissions;
a clarification of broadband spurious emissions;
a comprehensive study of out-of-band emissions.
k)In order to continue studies on out-of-band emissions, a draft new Question and a draft Decision to establish the new Task Group 1/5 was developed.
l) Task Group 1/4 developed Guidelines for electronic exchange of spectrum management information on the basis of a comprehensive radiocommunication data dictionary (RDD) and proposed a revision to Appendix S4 of the Radio Regulations to be transmitted to the Special Committee. The draft RDD is the first document to bring together descriptions of all individual data items, how they are grouped under common headings to qualify real-world entities (e.g. satellite), and their relationship within the context of spectrum management.
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5.2.4.1.2 Study Group 3 (Radiowave propagation)
a) At a meeting of WP 3L, responses were prepared to respective WRC-97 items concerning HFBC, adaptive systems at MF/HF and spurious emissions. Revisions were prepared to Recommendations concerning HF prediction and measurement data comparison, and material was produced on the performance of digital modulation schemes at HF. Progress in two handbooks (concerning ionospheric propagation and operational forecasting) was reviewed and liaison statements to SG 10 were prepared on reliability and the reference receiving antenna.
b)Parallel meetings of Working Parties 3J and 3M were held to facilitate progress in areas of common concern such as mapping of radiometeorological parameters and their use in prediction procedures. Ten Recommendations were revised, the most significant of which were those addressing attenuation by atmospheric gases, the evaluation of signal levels likely to cause interference, and propagation information for the determination of coordination distances. Many of these were of relevance to WRC-97 issues, for which nine responses were prepared for lead groups for CPM preparation. Further items of liaison were addressed mainly concerning sharing problems raised by Study Groups 7, 8 and 9.
c) Handbooks on Radiometeorology and Earth-space propagation were completed and published.
d)Considerable progress was made in the HF field strength measurement campaign with the installation of a receiving system in Trieste and three other systems dispatched to sites in developing countries. The Study Group has also continued to support BR’s liaison with BDT on propagation issues in developing countries and tropical regions.
5.2.4.1.3 Study Group 4 (fixed-satellite service)
a) Substantial progress was made by the Working Parties of Study Group 4 in preparation of contributions to the CPM-97 report on Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and Inter-Satellite Service (ISS) matters. A valuable by-product was the creation and the preparation of 13 draft new Recommendations in response to the request by WRC-95 which are referenced in the text of the CPM Report. These draft Recommendations cover such important subjects as methodologies for deriving short-term interference criteria for GSO FSS carriers, NGSO FSS carriers, and NGSO MSS feeder link carriers, characteristics of GSO and NGSO FSS systems and NGSO MSS feeder link systems, frequency sharing between GSO and NGSO FSS systems and NGSO MSS feeder link systems, frequency sharing between NGSO FSS constellations, and suitable bands for operation of the ISS within the 50 - 70 GHz range.
b)Two draft new Recommendations on the general guidance for coordination of FSS networks in congested orbital arc segments and frequency bands, and the contributions to the SCRPM were prepared based on technical studies resulting from Resolution 18 (Kyoto, 1994).
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c) Progress was also made in preparation of draft new Recommendations on topics including FSS/MSS sharing of the bands 19.7 - 20.2 GHz and 29.5 - 30 GHz, criteria in mask form for interference between TV/FM carriers, network management aspects for digital satellite systems forming part of SDH transport networks in the FSS, performance requirements for FSS systems operating above 15 GHz bands, performance requirements for the transmission of ATM traffic via satellite, digital transmission of HDTV via satellite for news gathering and outside broadcasting.
d)The preparation of the third edition of the ITU Handbook on satellite communications (FSS) took into account the evolution of techniques and technologies including digital modulation, error correction (FEC), LEO satellite systems, ATM and frequency coordination.
5.2.4.1.4 Study Group 7 (Science Services)
a) The Study Group adopted draft new Recommendations : “Frequency sharing between space research service extra-vehicular activity (EVA) links and fixed and mobile service links in the 410-420 MHz band”; and on “Protection of the radioastronomy service from unwanted emissions resulting from applications of wideband digital modulation” for approval by correspondence.
b)Three draft Recommendations were adopted for approval at the Assembly. Eight draft new and 20 draft revised Recommendations have been submitted for the consultation procedure.
c) Questions ITU-R 111/7 and ITU-R 206/7 were revised and three draft new Questions were adopted and sent for approval by correspondence.
d)All Working Parties prepared relevant texts for the CPM report, which were approved.
e) Working Party 7A prepared a preliminary draft new Question, three draft revised Recommendations and one preliminary draft Revision of Recommendation ITU-R TF.538-3 measures for random instabilities in frequency and time (phase). Preparation of the Handbook on the Selection and Use of Precise Frequency and Time Systems is in the final stage.
f) Working Party 7B prepared draft new Recommendations on transmission of Space VLBI data and on sharing between the space research and other services. It was considered that the work of the Joint ad-hoc Group 7B-9D was complete and, as a result, 5 draft new Recommendations should be forwarded to the appropriate Working Party for adoption. As a consequence, Working Party 7B will assume responsibility for the two draft new Recommendations on Maximum permissible power flux-density levels from the space research, space operation and Earth exploration-satellite services at the surface of the Earth required to protect the fixed service in the bands 2 025-2 110 MHz and 2 200-2 290 MHz and on Criteria for data relay satellite networks to facilitate sharing with systems in the fixed service in the bands 2 025-2 110 MHz and 2 200-2 290 MHz.
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g)Working Party 7C prepared 13 draft new Recommendations on Earth Exploration Satellite (EES) data transmissions (space to Earth) around 26 GHz; on EES and METSAT data transmissions (space to Earth) around 8 GHz; on passive sensors around 60 GHz; on active sensors around 400 MHz, 1300 MHz, 5300 MHz and 95 GHz; on EES and METSAT data collection in the band 401-403 MHz; on meteorological aids around 400 MHz and 1700 MHz; and on frequency sharing of science services and the meteorological aids service near 400 MHz and 1700 MHz with the mobile satellite service.
h)Working Party 7D finalised draft new Recommendation on Protection of radio astronomy measurements above 60 GHz from ground-based interference for submission to SG 7.
i) Joint Working Party 7-8R examined sixteen different frequency bands for compatibility between active sensors and radiolocation/radionavigation systems and considered technical and operational characteristics of existing and planned systems. A draft new Recommendation entitled "Selection of Active Spaceborne Sensor Emission Characteristics to Mitigate the Potential Interference to Terrestrial Radars Operating in Frequency Bands 1-10 GHz" was developed and submitted for Study Groups 7 and 8 consideration. A preliminary draft new Recommendation entitled "Protection Criteria for Stations in the Radiolocation Service from Emissions from Active Spaceborne Sensors in the Band 13.4-13.75 GHz" was also developed for further consideration.
5.2.4.1.5 Study Group 8 (Mobile Radiodetermination, Amateur and related Satellite Service)
a) Study Group 8 met in October and adopted 14 new and 11 revised Recommendations that were subsequently sent for approval by correspondence. These Recommendations deal mainly with maritime, radiodetermination and mobile (including satellite) services.
b)Substantive progress was achieved in the development of standards for International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000). In particular, a new Recommendations was adopted containing the guidelines for the evaluation of radio transmission technologies for IMT-2000.
c) Volume 1 of the Handbook on Land Mobile Service on Wireless Access Local Loop was finalised and sent forward for publication. Progress was made on the preparation of the Handbook on Mobile-Satellite Communications.
d) In connection with the preparatory work for WRC-97, SG 8 prepared draft elements for the CPM Report covering maritime and mobile-satellite services issues.
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5.2.4.1.6 Radiocommunication Study Group 9 (Fixed service)
a) In preparation for January 1997 meeting of SG 9, Working Parties of SG 9 elaborated 10 draft new and revised Recommendations covering performance degradation due to interference from other services sharing frequency bands on a co-equal primary basis, RF channel arrangements for 1.5 and 2 GHz bands, technical guidance on radio local area networks (RLAN), and mathematical modelling of average antenna side lobes for use in certain sharing studies (WP 9D).
b) In addition, a Joint Rapporteur Group of Working Parties 8D and 9D (JRG 8D-9D) on sharing between the mobile-satellite and fixed services below 3 GHz agreed on four draft new Recommendations, including one on reference bandwidth for the fixed service to be used in coordination with Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) for adoption by SG 9. Similarly, Joint ad hoc Group 7B-9D on sharing between space science services and the fixed service succeeded in drafting five draft new Recommendations for adoption by SG 9, three of them dealing with constraints on, or protection criteria for, the Fixed Service (FS).
c) Regarding preparatory work for CPM-97, SG 9 (WP 9B) prepared the draft report on the identification of suitable bands above 30 GHz for use by the fixed service for high-density applications. Jointly with SG 4, WP 4-9S prepared the text for the frequency sharing aspects between fixed and fixed-satellite services in certain bands (non-GSO FSS and non-GSO MSS feeder links). WP 9C established its correspondence group that prepared an input to WP 1A on adaptive MF/HF systems. WP 9D was involved in various WRC-97 agenda items and the work was conducted through joint Rapporteur mechanisms, namely JRG 8D-9D for sharing between the FS and the MSS, and JRG of Study Groups 4, 7 and 9 for the 18.6 - 18.8 GHz issue.
d)The Handbook Group of SG 9 held its final meeting in March 1996. The English manuscript of this Handbook on digital radio-relay systems was finalised by correspondence and sent for translation into the French and Spanish working languages of the ITU. It is expected that the Handbook will be published by April 1997.
5.2.4.1.7 Meetings related to Study Group 10 (Broadcasting Service - Sound)
a) No meeting of Study Group 10 took place in the reporting period.
b)The first meeting of Working Party 10A, “Sound broadcasting at frequencies below 30 MHz and antennas for sound broadcasting”, after its merger with Working Party 10D, concentrated on the finalisation of a Recommendation on LF-MF antennas, the revision of the Recommendation on Protection ratios and on SSB systems for HF broadcasting. Considerable activity is now related to digital broadcasting systems intended for AM bands.
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c) Working Party 10B, “Sound broadcasting at frequencies above 30 MHz”, progressed work on updating the Recommendation on Planning standards for FM sound broadcasting at VHF concerning synchronous FM network, on a System for multiplexing FM sound broadcasts with a subcarrier data channel having relatively large capacity for stationary and mobile reception; and on a draft new Report on Terrestrial digital sound broadcasting (DSB).
d)Working Party 10C “Audio-frequency characteristics of sound broadcasting signals” continued work on a draft new Recommendation on Characteristics of multichannel audio coding, and on a draft new Recommendation on Parameters for multichannel sound recording: recommending the track allocations, recording characteristics and level alignment for the recording of multichannel stereophonic sound programme material. A test workplan was established in order to detail performance characteristics.
e) Task Group 10/3 “Subjective sound assessment” made progress in the preparation of four draft new Recommendations on Methods for the subjective assessment of sound quality - A Guide to Existing Recommendations; on Methods for the subjective assessment of sound quality - general requirements; on Preselection methods for the subjective assessments of small impairments in the audio systems; and on Methods for the subjective assessment of audio systems with accompanying picture. Task Group 10/3 carefully considered the objectives based on the Questions assigned to the Group and considered that all the studies and the tasks mentioned above are completed and decided that the Task Group should be disbanded.
f) Task Group 10/4 “Objective perceptual audio quality assessment methods”, concentrated its work on the establishment of the so called COLLABORATIVE MODEL for the development of a recommended analytical model for the objective assessment of audio quality particularly when small impairments are to be evaluated, combining the 6 models of the proponents into one program. A list of conditions for the validation test including both codec and non-codec artifacts was approved. A set of test signals with known perceptual properties was defined.
g)Task Group 10/5 “Technical parameters and planning procedures for HF broadcasting”, prepared the report to the CPM-97. A copy of this report, accompanied by a liaison statement, was sent to the Special Committee for inclusion in the relevant text from this Committee and an additional copy was also sent to the Special Rapporteur for HF matters. The final Report contains a proposed Planning Procedure that is based on relevant elements from Article 17 and the Improved HFBC Planning System as extended by a coordination process which includes a compatibility analysis. No further meetings of Task Group 10/5 are planned.
5.2.4.1.8 Meetings related to Study Group 11 (Broadcasting service - television)
a) No meeting of Study Group 11 took place in the reporting period, but white documents for the Study Group 11 meeting in 1997 are under preparation.
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b)Working Party 11A, “Television systems and data broadcasting”, approved the Teletext Handbook which has been a long-standing and substantial work item. Three draft new Recommendations were completed on Worldwide unified colorimetry and related characteristics of future television and imaging systems; on Studio parameters of 625 & 525 line progressive scan television systems and Relative timing of sound and vision for broadcasting. Revisions of other Recommendations were also carried out and work progressed on ISDB and enhanced SECAM. A Handbook on Teletext systems was also finally approved for publication in 1997.
c) Working Party 11B, “Digital television source coding”, defined a work plan for the production of Recommendations on Coding for multi-programme transmission, the preparation of a preliminary draft new Recommendation on Standards for bit-rate reduction coding systems, and the revision of the Recommendation on Studio encoding parameters of digital TV. New Questions were proposed on digital coding for multi-programme television and the use of computer technology in TV broadcasting applications.
d)Working Party 11C, “Terrestrial television - emission and planning parameters”, concentrated on updating Protection ratio values for analogue and digital TV signals, the revision of the existing Recommendation on Ghost cancelling signals in order to converge toward a unique worldwide recommended system, digital terrestrial TV in bands above 1 GHz and interactive television.
e) Working Party 11E, “Quality evaluation”, prepared a revision of Recommendation ITU-R BT.500-7 to include the new single stimulus continuous quality evaluation method and derivation of the picture-content failure characteristics, the updating of processing of results of subjective assessment and their interpretation and presentation and a new procedure to measure the criticality of test sequences. Future work will be carried out by Special Rapporteurs in the areas of multi-programme TV quality assessment, perceptual models, etc.
f) Task Group 11/1 “High-definition television for studio and international programme exchange” amended the Recommendation on Target standard for digital video systems for the studio and for international programme exchange. Task Group 11/1 considered its work terminated after the development of 3 Recommendations in response to assigned Questions which are now proposed for transmission to Working Party 11B. Further work on HDTV standards will, in fact, be carried out mainly in the digital domain under the competence of Working Party 11B. No further meetings of this Group are foreseen.
g)Task Group 11/2, “Digital studio interfaces”, produced a draft new Recommendation on Ancillary signals in digital video interfaces and on 18 MHz clock digital video interfaces, and draft revisions of Recommendations on HDTV studio interfaces. Work will continue on optical interfaces, multi-programme multi-point routing systems, etc.
h)Task Group 11/3 “Digital terrestrial television broadcasting”, completed the work on the Tutorial Report - A guide to digital terrestrial television broadcasting in the VHF/UHF bands which may eventually be published as a Handbook and completed work on the transport layer and service multiplex and the physical layer which includes channel coding, frame structures and modulation, and planning factors and implementation. Draft new Recommendations were prepared on Service multiplex, transport, and identification methods for digital terrestrial television
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broadcasting, on Error correction, data framing, modulation and emission methods for digital terrestrial television broadcasting and on Criteria required for planning digital terrestrial television services in the VHF/UHF television bands. Two Reports on Planning factors and implementation strategy and on Coverage studies and field trials were also adopted. The work of Task Group 11/3 which has led to the issue of the first world-wide digital terrestrial TV standard is completed.
i) Joint Working Party 10-11R, “Recording for broadcasting”, prepared draft new Recommendations on Telecine scanned area of 16 and 35 mm release film for 16:9 and 4:3 television, as well as on Recording of date information within the longitudinal time code track of a video recorded tape. Several Recommendations were revised on Recording of HDTV programmes on film, on Operating practices for digital television recording and on Standards for the international exchange of programmes on film for television use. Existing Questions were also amended to include the use of magneto-optical disks envisaged for international exchange of video and sound programmes, and a preliminary new Question was also prepared to study the use of CD-ROM programme material for television broadcasting.
j) Joint Working Party 10-11S, “Satellite broadcasting”, finalised the first draft of a report on procedural/regulatory matters to be sent to the Special Committee and a report on planning to be sent to the CPM-97.
k)As regards the preparations for WRC-97, draft new Recommendations were prepared on the Aggregate protection ratios for the revision of Appendices 30 and 30A Plans, on Reference improved antenna patterns for feeder-link transmitting earth and receiving space stations, and on Protection masks and interference calculation methods.
l) A draft new Recommendation was also prepared on Common functional requirements for the reception of digital multiprogramme television emissions by satellites operating in the 11/12GHz frequency range. This Recommendation constitutes an important step in converging towards a worldwide system. Through the proposed Recommendation of universal elements of a satellite Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) capable to receive and process the core functions of any of those systems today operating in several parts of the world.
m) A framework for a draft new Recommendation was prepared dealing with the sharing situation between BSS (sound) and mobile aeronautical telemetry systems.
n)A draft new Report on BSS systems for the 40.5 - 42.5 GHz band was prepared. This is the first report assessing the technical feasibility of systems in this band.
o)A draft new Question on Digital Sound Broadcasting was approved to address spectrum management issues now that studies are progressing towards the system implementation stage.
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p)The Joint Steering Committee of Study Groups 10 and 11 discussed the broadcasters’ attitude on activities related to the refinement of the T and R Sectors. The representation of the Broadcasting Unions and the WBU confirmed that the present arrangements to have ITU-R Study Groups 10 and 11 dealing also with broadcasting system standards was considered entirely satisfactory and that any decision to transfer this activity to the ITU-T Sector, as recently proposed by some, would result in a reduced participation of broadcasters in ITU activities. The JSC restated its commitment to the production of global broadcasting standards as invited by the World Broadcasting Union and the ITU-D Sector.
5.2.4.1.9 Special Committee
The Special Committee on Regulatory/Procedural Matters, which was created in 1995, held its first meetings in early 1996 (one meeting on the preparation for WRC-97 and another meeting on Resolution 18 (Kyoto, 1994). Five rapporteur groups were established in this respect, which worked mainly by correspondence. Appropriate arrangements were set up for such work (mailing list using both email and fax, posting of documents on the WWW/ITUDOC/TIES, etc.). This resulted in treatment of more than 2000 pages without holding meetings. The preliminary reports, which were prepared by the Rapporteurs of each of the 5 Rapporteur groups in November 1996, were processed and, where practicable, dispatched to the administrations, in the preparation for the Special Committee meetings in January/February 1997.
5.2.4.1.10 Meeting of Study Group Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen (CVC)
a) The annual meeting of the Radiocommunication Study Group Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen was held in Geneva from 5 to 6 December 1996. Besides looking at the Study Group meeting schedule for 1997 and the draft meeting schedule for 1998, this meeting also covered Study Group financial aspects and follow up of Resolutions adopted by the 1995 Radiocommunication Assembly in particular related to working methods.
b)The Radiocommunication Study Group Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen decided to organize their next meeting immediately after the World Radiocommunication Conference during the week of 24 November 1997.
5.2.4.2 Preparation for the CPM-97 meeting
The texts for Draft CPM report were prepared, by a group comprising the CPM Chairman and Vice-Chairman and Chapter Rapporteurs, Study Group, Working Party, and Task Group Chairmen from Study Groups 1, 7, 9 and 10, Working Parties 1A, 4A, 7B, 7C, 8D, JWP 7-8R, and Task Group 8/2, assisted by the staff of the Radiocommunication Bureau. The material was consolidated from texts developed by ITU-R Study Groups, Working Parties, and Task Groups, during their study of items from the agenda of WRC-97 as contained in Council Resolution 1086. The contents of the draft report follow the outline agreed to in CPM-96. The draft CPM report to WRC-97 has been circulated as Document CPM97/1 and posted on the WWW. Two addenda (Addendum 1 and 2 to Document CPM97/1) based on the results of the January 1997 meetings of Study Groups 4 and 9 and the Special Committee have also been prepared by a Group of Chapter Rapporteurs under chairmanship of Mr. Taylor, Chairman, CPM.
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5.2.4.3 Follow-up and preparation of conferences
5.2.4.3.1 Follow-up on Resolutions
5.2.4.3.1.1 Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto 1994)
Resolution 1
The Director has implemented the directives of that Resolution and has applied them in the management of the Bureau through the instrument of an operational plan..
Resolution 14
The rules of procedures and processes in the Sector as laid down in Resolution ITU-R 1 and other instructions from the Assembly have been reviewed and appropriate modifications will be submitted to the Assembly.
Resolutions 15 and 39
The analytical study of the costs of ITU-R products and services has been concluded and submitted to the Secretary General for inclusion in the consolidated report under preparation for Council 1997.
Resolution 16
The matter of refinement of the Radiocommunication Sector and the Telecommunication Standardization Sector has been considered at a meeting of the Joint Working Party of the Advisory Groups of the ITU-T and ITU-R Sectors in February 1996. The meeting, taking into account the current processes and activities, considered further elements for refining the structure and appropriate consequential action. A report was submitted to the World Telecommunication Standardization Conference (Geneva, 1996). That Conference, in its endeavour to carry forward the work associated with refinement, invited, in its Resolution 28, the two Directors to initiate a consultation procedure through a Circular Letter (CA/39 of 30 October 1996) to the membership to elicit views on which Questions or part of ITU-R Questions could be candidates for transfer.
Resolution 17
The Director continued to support the Radiocommunication Advisory Group. For a detailed report on the present situation see § 5.7.
Resolution 18
a) The Special Committee on Regulatory/Procedural Matters studied those major problem areas which had been identified by the Working Group of the RAG in 1995 and its Report contains proposed solutions to the following vast variety of problems/issues: reservation of orbit capacity without actual use, administrative and financial “due diligence” procedures, regulatory time limits, international monitoring of space systems, un-coordinated use of orbit/spectrum resources, dispute resolution, role of Governments, system operators, the RRB and the BR, transfer of orbital locations/spectrum, efficient use of, and equitable access to, orbit/spectrum resources and Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting. SG\CONSEIL\C97\000\035E4.DOC 06/05/2023 06/05/2023
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b)ITU-R Study Groups have also studied the questions related to the Resolution 18 review and have made substantial contributions on various subjects. Their contributions were considered by the Special Committee and the results have been included in its Report.
c) The Resolution 18 review was also on the Agenda of the Radio Regulations Board meetings between June, 1995 and November 1996. In-depth discussions took place on the issues and the RRB established its report which was sent to the Director for inclusion in his Report to WRC-97. The Radiocommunication Bureau had also submitted its contribution to the review and, in addition, it provided general support (organizational and administrative) to the activities of the different bodies of the ITU-R Sector. The BR also organized, with the necessary partnership of regional organizations, regional fora (information exchange meetings) in the three ITU Radio Regulation Regions in 1996.
d)The final report of the Director to WRC-97, established on the basis of the above contributions of the Special Committee, the Radiocommunication Advisory Group, the Radio Regulations Board, the ITU-R Study Groups and the Regional Information Exchange Forums, is under preparation.
Resolutions 32 and 33
Under Resolution 32, information meetings were organized with the Palestinian Authority to examine the work related to radiocommunications and under Resolution 33, several studies were performed, in cooperation with the BDT, mainly related to the possible restructuring of the broadcasting system of the Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Resolutions 65 and 66
The matter of remote access to ITU-R data, documents and publications is regularly considered by the BR and by the RAG and all efforts are made to make such data and documents available within an established ITU policy and the resources available.
5.2.4.3.1.2 WRC-95
Resolution 71
This Resolution concerning application of Article 25 (S19) was forwarded to ICAO and IMO. Appropriate comments, including BR contributions, were submitted to SG8 (WP 8B) and to the SC. Results of the studies were communicated to the CPM-97 with a view to including them in the report to WRC-97.
Resolution 339
This Resolution on frequency coordination for NAVTEX was forwarded to IMO which expressed its readiness to take over all the functions described in this Resolution. An appropriate procedure is needed to cover the necessary practical arrangements and the necessary liaison between IMO and BR regarding such items as services in adjacent bands.
Resolution 531
See § 5.2.4.3.2 (page 55).
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Resolution 713
This Resolution on the transfer of certain operational provisions to IMO and ICAO was forwarded to ICAO and IMO. Both ICAO and IMO expressed their willingness to participate in the study. The IMO already made clear its position that it “sees no reason to change the present arrangements”.
5.2.4.3.2 Follow-up actions on the decisions of the WRC-95
Entry into force of the Final Acts of WRC-95 (Appendix S4)
The provisions of Appendix S4 entered into force on 1 January 1997. This necessitated a review of the associated notice forms to be used by Administrations for the coordination and notification of earth and space stations. This review was undertaken in conjunction with the development of a PC based system to allow the electronic submission of filings to the Bureau and for interchange of such information between Administrations. Two BR Circular Letters (CR/58 and CR/65) providing a detailed description of the data capture system and its associated data formats (for the submission of both alphanumeric and graphical information) as well as the revised Appendix S4 notice forms were issued late in 1996.
Resolution 46
In application of the interim procedures for the coordination and notification of frequency assignments of geostationary and non-geostationary satellite networks in certain space services as well as other services to which the bands are allocated, 90 Special Sections in RES.46/A and B series (advance publications) and 50 Special Sections in the RES.46/C and D series (coordinations) were published.
Resolution 531
a) Circular-letter CR/50 of 29 February 1996 provides an overview of actions taken or to be taken by the Bureau for the implementation of the above-mentioned Resolution with respect to the Planning Exercises to be carried out by the Bureau.
b)Step 1 of these exercises (modification of the existing Plan on the basis of new technical parameters) and Step 2, (to provide plan entries for “new” ITU Member countries (including those administrations in the Plan which have administratively or geographically changed with respect to their situation at the time of the Conference) and for countries having less than the minimum number of channels) have been finalised with the data currently available. As some of the data is subject to modification (some networks are concluding different parts of the Appendix 30/30A procedures, others are under continuing consultation), these two steps will be further reviewed before the Conference. The merged files containing assignments in the plan file resulting from the application of requests for modification to the Plans (the Feeder-link 17 and 14 GHz and the BSS 12 GHz Plans) appear on TIES since mid of March 1996
c) For Planning Exercises Step 3, (to take into account, as far as possible, Article 4 modifications), an initial approach is under discussion.
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d)To carry out the Planning Exercises and in the absence of the required budgetary resources (staff), the Bureau had to mainly rely on the assistance to be provided by administrations in the form of periodical participation of their experts in the planning exercises. To this effect, a Planning Exercise Team was set up. This team is composed of representatives from the Bureau and experts from administrations, broadcasting satellite operators and international organizations. These experts participate, in their own individual capacity, in meetings organized to support the Bureau’s planning exercise work. Four meetings have been held in Geneva from 4 to 8 of March 1996, 20 to 24 May 1996, 16 to 20 September 1996 and 2 to 6 December 1996. Further meetings are schedules for 7-10 April 1997 and 8-12 September 1997.
e) In order to provide full transparency on the activities of the Bureau on the implementation of Resolution 531 and to establish full cooperation with administrations, regional organizations and broadcasting satellite service providers, the Director established a BSS Planning Consultation Group for the activities in question with the objective of monitoring and advising on:
the activities carried out by the Bureau including the Planning Exercise Team;
the progress being made on the implementation of the respective steps of the Planning Exercises;
guidelines for the timely achievement of the objectives set forth in Resolution 531.
f) Both representatives from Member States and Sector Members were participating in the consultation group. One meeting of this Group was held in Geneva 23 - 25 September 1996 at which the results of Step 1 and Step 2 of the Planning Exercises were discussed. The Group provided advice on the minimum number of channels to be used in Region 3, the application of Appendix 30 parameters for category of Article 4 submissions and the application of the rain zone adjustment to the 5 dB, e.i.r.p. reduction downlink.
5.2.4.3.3 Preparation for WRC-97
A very heavy work programme has been placed on the Bureau as well as on administrations by the agenda for WRC-97. The Bureau analysed the resulting post conference work and identified the following non-exhaustive list of main tasks for the Bureau :
planning exercises for AP30/30A in accordance with Resolution 531 (see §5.4.3.1 above);
support of studies in Task Group 10/5 on alternative planning procedures for HFBC (Resolution 530) and appropriate testing;
preparation of a final report on activities related to Resolution 18;
organize, support and report on results of studies on sharing possibilities in various bands;
studies concerning the identification of stations (Resolution 71).
Discussions have been initiated on a possible structure for the Conference.
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5.2.5 Radio Regulations Board
a) The Members of the Radio Regulations Board were elected during the Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994). In 1996, the composition of the Board was the following:
Mr. Henry Kieffer Chairman Switzerland
Mr. João C.F. Albernaz Vice-Chairman Brazil
Mr. Thormod Bøe Member Norway
Mr. Makoto Miura Member Japan
Mr. Gerald L. Mutti Member Zambia
Mr. Ryszard G. Struzak Member Poland
Mr. Valery Timofeev Member Russian Federation
Mr. Kouakou J-B Yao Member Côte d’Ivoire
Mr. Sanbao ZhuMember China
b)For 1997, the Board elected Mr. Albernaz as Chairman and Mr. Timofeev as Vice-Chairman.
c) During the four meetings held in 1996, it developed input to the studies under Resolution 18, and agreed on amendments to the Rules of Procedure on various aspects of AP30/30A, Resolution 46, Resolution 118, etc.
d)The Rules of Procedure were published in Circular-letter CR/48 of 16 February 1996 with the Rules of Procedure concerning the application of RR2674 and the treatment of former assignments in the Plans not reflecting the current administrative and geographical situation. Further Circular-letters CR/59 and CR/60 of 10 October 1996 and 12 December 1996 dealt with revisions to the Rules of Procedure related to Appendix 30 and Appendix 30A.
5.2.6 The Radiocommunication Advisory Group
The Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG) held its fourth meeting from 19-23 February 1996 in association with the TSAG. The meeting reviewed the outcome of the Radiocommunication Assembly and WRC-95, but put considerable emphasis on the review of the ITU-R working methods, its input to the Resolution 18 studies and the coordination between Sectors. The group expressed concern on the extensive agenda for WRC-97 and its impact on BR and membership resources and suggested to take due care to have balanced and “practicable” future agendas. In reviewing the ITU-R working methods, the RAG advised that more effective and expeditious processes should be found for the approval of Recommendations, following which the duration of Assemblies might be shortened. Possible structural changes in the attribution of some standardisation work between ITU-T and ITU-R were discussed in a joint meeting of RAG and TSAG. The RAG received with satisfaction the 1996 Operational Plan and endorsed it.
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5.2.7 1996 Council
The Council provided additional resources for the Radiocommunication Bureau to deal with the backlog in the processing of space radiocommunication notices. The Bureau used these resources to reinforce its staff in these areas (see also §5.2).
5.2.8. Special projects and studies
5.2.8.1 Technical assistance, Seminars, cooperation with other Sectors
a) The Radiocommunication Bureau studied, under the relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations and regional or world-wide agreements, numerous requests for assistance received from administrations in both the Terrestrial and Space Radiocommunication domains and the requested assistance was rendered with high priority. Forty such cases were treated in relation to space matters and 35 for terrestrial matters, which correspond to 4 person months.
b) In addition to assistance cases requested under specific radio regulatory provisions, other types of assistance matters were also handled. The Bureau has rendered assistance to bilateral space systems coordination meetings, as well as assistance in space matters in the form of meetings/ training missions to administrations.
c) The biennial regular BR Seminar was organized at the ITU Headquarters between 25 and 29 November 1996. In addition, regional seminars and, in a limited number of cases, seminars on specific issues (space or earth station coordination, maritime radiocommunications, etc.) took place outside the ITU Headquarters.
d)The Bureau paid particular attention to the work of ITU-D SGs 1 and 2, and has drawn attention to those topics covered by ITU-R Questions of special interest to developing countries. The development of Handbooks by ITU-D has been closely followed, with BR identifying those handbooks currently under preparation in ITU-R SGs of relevance to ITU-D’s studies. Collaboration has also been maintained in the area of propagation.
5.2.8.2 Relations with regional and international organizations
a) The Bureau liaises closely with regional telecommunication organizations such as CITEL, CEPT, APT, etc. Close liaison is also maintained with the major broadcasting Unions such as ABU, as regards planning software and exchange of technical information and with the BDT in the field of spectrum management for developing countries. In particular, assistance and professional expertise was provided to the BDT in organizing a seminar on frequency planning and spectrum management for broadcasting services requested by the ABU. The course included a module on spectrum management carried out in a distance-learning mode (through e-mail).
b)The Bureau, in conjunction with BDT, continues its strong connections with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) at Trieste which has, as its principal objective, the advancement of science and engineering in developing countries. A BR counsellor undertook missions to ICTP (within the framework of an MOU between ITU and ICTP) which involves counselling and consultation with visiting scientists and engineers from developing countries. Consultations focus on specialised projects of relevance to the country concerned, with topics frequently relating to spectrum management and propagation. ICTP was also involved with various training projects with BDT, in collaboration with BR.
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c) The Bureau continued to monitor the activities of URSI and to stimulate liaison between ITU-R SGs and URSI Commissions in topics of mutual interest. In a similar way, the Bureau followed closely those COST Projects of relevance to the work of ITU-R SGs.
d)The Radiocommunication Bureau took an active part in the work of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee and the Legal Sub-Committee of the United Nations' Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS). The Legal Sub-Committee of the COPUOS had on its agenda questions on the character and utilisation of the geostationary orbit and the definition and delimitation of outer space. The common understanding of the UN Committee members was that the GSO, because of its specific characteristics and features and its nature of being a limited natural resource, requires scientific, technical, political, and strategic considerations by the United Nations but these considerations should not lead to conflicting regulations in the different fora of the UN family. The role of the ITU in the domain of regulating space activities and the use of the GSO, in particular, has been recognised and it is admitted that the treaty making activities of the UN should be complementary to the activities of the ITU and without prejudice to the role of the ITU. To further assist its activities, the 1996 session of the COPUOS requested a substantial input documentation describing the ITU’s “legal regime” concerning space related Regulations. The Radiocommunication Bureau prepared and made available to the COPUOS this documentation.
5.2.8.3 Software development/EDP support
a) The strategy and plans to migrate existing software to the new ITU operating system and software platform (reviewed in 1994) in view of the cost and consequences for the work of the BR continued to be implemented with the aim to try to complete the migration of all software application systems in the Radiocommunication Bureau by the end of 1998. Regular meetings were held with the Information Services Department of the General Secretariat to align software development strategies and coordinate the use of development tools.
b)The migration of the application software for the processing of space notifications proceeded. While the Bureau is still confident that that date can be met, only marginal effort was deployed in 1996 to migrate the operational mainframe space notification system to the new environment. However, a facility was provided to access the reformatted space database through the WWW. In order to accommodate the increasing volume and complexity of space notices, priority was given to developing software for electronic notifications on PC workstations. The software will enable administrations and allow the Bureau to capture, validate and correct space notices on a PC and the BR to accept such electronic notifications from administrations. The use of this system by administrations for local data capture and inquiry may facilitate not only the preparation of the electronic notices to the Bureau, but also the easy exchange of information between administrations.
c) Intensive effort was devoted to the modification of the MSPACE(G) software in order to include algorithms provided by Study Groups (Working Party 10-11S) and new functions were added to the Space Network System (SNS) upgrading the technical examination programs.
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d)The development of a new frequency management system for the terrestrial services (TerRaSys) progressed. The reformatting of all terrestrial data into the new structure is almost complete and the development of processing software for FM/TV notices has started. Work has also started on the development of an inquiry package.
e) Standard office hard and software for use in the Bureau was provided in cooperation with the Information Services Department. Most workstations are now equipped with PCs fully meeting all operational requirements and capable of operating in a client-server network environment. A technical assistant has been engaged to ensure adequate operational support for the 188 PC workstations in the Bureau.
5.2.9 Publications
5.2.9.1 Regulatory publications
The following publications resulting from the application of the Radio Regulations were prepared:
50 Weekly Circulars on paper, microfiche and diskette;12 HF broadcasting Tentative Schedules, on diskettes;2 IFL on CD-ROM;2 SRS (Space Radiocommunication Systems) on CD-ROM;1 edition and 1 update to the Preface to the IFL and WIC;1 Terrestrial Plans on CD-ROM.
5.2.9.2 Service documents
The following service documents are described in the Radio Regulations. In 1996 the Bureau published:
List IV (List of coast stations) two supplements (273 pages)
List V (List of ship stations) one full edition (2 853 pages) and three supplements (733 pages)
List VI (List of radiodetermination and special services)
three supplements( 157 pages)
List VIIA (List of call signs) four supplements (749 pages)
List VIIB (List of call signs) two supplements (22 pages)
5.2.9.3 ITU-R recommendations, Resolutions and Opinions
a) 187 Recommendations, in total 7 049 pages in French, English and Spanish were processed. 63 fascicles are available for sale. 537 drawings in electronic format were prepared for Handbooks, new and modified Recommendations. All of the ITU-R Recommendations in force and published are now available on-line in both WinWord and Postscript formats and are now available for sale through the Electronic Bookshop. The English pdf version of all ITU-R Recommendations have been created. These will be posted on the Web in January/February 1997. The French and Spanish versions will follow in March/April. All the files in pdf and WW2 format are available for the English CD-ROM of ITU-R Recommendations. A first version of that CD-ROM will be available in early 1997. The list of Recommendations has been incorporated in Publibase which is automatically updated online. Compilation and editing of the paper version was completed. The English, French and Spanish versions will be published in January 1997.
b)The reference database for all ITU-R Opinions, Questions, Recommendations, Reports and Resolutions in force (in English, French, Spanish) was updated. Extracts from these databases are
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being used to respond to customer inquires. Checking of the ITU-R elements of the catalogue was completed.
5.2.9.4 Radio Regulations
a) Volume 4 of the Radio Regulations containing Articles S5, S21, S22 and Appendix S4 which entered into force on 1 January 1997, as well as Resolutions and Recommendations of the WRC-95 (new and revised), was published.
b) The processing of the input document for WRC-97 comprising a complete set of the simplified Radio Regulations has been started. This document (about 1600 pages, A4 format) will include all texts considered for the new simplified RR to be published in 1998, i.e. all the S regulatory provisions appearing in the Final Acts of WRC-95, all the non-revised texts of Volumes 1 (Articles) and 2 (Appendices) of the RR in force, as well as all the Resolutions and Recommendations (including those of WRC-95). A further annexed Volume, containing ITU-R Recommendations considered to be incorporated in the RR by reference will also be prepared.
5.2.9.5 Manuals and Handbooks
a) The new edition of the Manual for the use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services was prepared and published. This edition contains new and updated ITU-R and ITU-T recommendations, as well as the revised regulatory provisions relevant to the maritime services.
b)Seven ITU-R Handbooks were published. The Handbook on “The selection and use of precise frequency systems” developed by Working party 7A is in its final stage of preparation in the three languages in the Secretariat.
c) The Handbook on subjective assessment methodology in television was published. Handbooks on HF broadcasting system design and LF/MF broadcasting system design are under preparation.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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5.3 Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)
5.3.1 Introduction
The World Telecommunication Standardization Conference took place in Geneva from 9 to 18 October 1996 (see Section 4.3, page 8). The activities of the study groups were therefore dedicated to the finalization of the reports to be submitted to the Conference.
5.3.2 World Telecommunication Standardization Conference
See section 4.3 (page 8) “World Telecommunication Standardization Conference 1996 (WTSC-96)” of this report.
5.3.3 Study Groups and the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group
The following sections are on the activities of study groups in accordance with the structure in force prior to WTSC-96 and on activities carried on up to the end of the year. The list of study group meetings held in 1996 is to be found in Table 1. Details on the participation to these meetings are indicated in Table 2.
5.3.3.1 Study Group 1 (Service definition) - Chairman : Mr. M. Israel (Canada)
a) In its last year of existence, Study Group 1 had a busy year during which it prepared 36 new and revised Recommendations.
b)The operational requirements of the international freephone service were updated to complement the new Study Group 2 Recommendation on Universal International Freephone Numbers (UIFN). In the area of the facsimile service, new operational Recommendations were prepared for store-and-forward fax, a fax database service and Group 4 facsimile. New recommendations to define the framework for audiovisual/multimedia services, videophone service on the public switched telephone network and multimedia conferences services were completed. Ten new recommendations covering ISDN supplementary services were developed and the operational provisions for the maritime mobile service were updated to reflect new developments in mobile services.
c) The WTSC-96 decided to discontinue the activities of Study Group 1 and transfer the major part of its work programme on service issues to Study Group 2. The remaining Questions on message handling, data services, directory services and audiovisual/multimedia services were transferred to Study Groups 7, 8 and 16 respectively.
5.3.3.2 Study Group 2 (Network operation) - Chairman : Mr. G. Gosztony (Hungary)
a) The most challenging aspects of the work of Study Group 2 during 1996 was in the area of numbering. The pressure of new technical developments, political boundary changes, new services and the advent of new mobile satellite system service providers all resulted in demands on international numbering resources.
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b)In Recommendations E.164 and E.165 it is stipulated that at time ‘T’ (31 December 1996, 2359 hours Coordinated Universal Time) all switches and networks should have the capability to handle international telephone numbers with a maximum length of 15 digits (up from 12 digits). An extensive awareness project, including press articles in specialized telecommunication journals, a TSB Circular and other action was taken to stimulate worldwide awareness of this event. International numbering codes were assigned, on a shared basis per E.164 country code, to Global Mobile Satellite System (GMSS) service providers. Guidelines to permit carrier selection in telephone dialling procedures were initiated.
c) Study Group 2 was allocated 9 Questions from the former Study Group 1 on service-related subjects by WTSC-96, following the discontinuation of Study Group 1.
5.3.3.3 Study Group 3 (Tariff and accounting principles) -Chairman : Mr. B. Rouxeville (F)
a) In May 1996, Study Group 3 devoted its efforts to developing Questions to be studied during the years 1997-2000. It decided also to revise its work programme in order to adapt to the changing environment by broadening the discussion to economic and policy issues, in addition to international charging and accounting. Study Group 3 also developed several tariff recommendations on new services such as Home Country Direct, Frame Relaying services or Signalling System No. 7.
b)As regard Resolution 21 of the Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994) on the alternative calling procedures, the first objectives fixed by Study Group 3 have been achieved and a resolution was proposed to the Council 96. However, the study on this item will continue in the next study period.
c) WTSC-96 changed the general area of responsibility of Study Group 3 from “Tariff and accounting principles” to “Tariff and accounting principles including related telecommunications economic and policy issues” and appointed a new Chairman, Mr. T. Matsudairia (Japan).
d)The first Study Group 3 meeting (11-15 November 1996) of the new study period took important decisions concerning the structure, working methods and the work programme. Three working parties were set up as follows:
Working Party 1 (Policy related group)
Working Party 2 (Telephone services and reform of accounting rate system)
Working Party 3 (Data services and newly emerging services)
e) For the reform of the accounting rate system, Study Group 3 recognized that the present methods of remuneration require substantial reform but, at the same time, it recognized also the importance of achieving quickly the cost orientated accounting rates. Study Group 3 will examine, in priority, the measures to facilitate the implementation of Recommendation D.140 in order to achieve these cost oriented accounting rates.
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5.3.3.4 Study Group 4 (Network maintenance) - Chairman : Mr. J.Shrimpton (USA)
a) The study on the “Telecommunication Management Network” (TMN) has been scattered, primarily, in four different study groups (Study Groups 4, 7, 11 and 15). TSAG proposed and WTSC-96 agreed to transfer all related TMN Questions (except some from Study Group15) from them and centralize the study in Study Group 4. This explains the new general area of responsibility of the study group, “TMN and network maintenance”. Since the last reporting to the Council, the study group and its five working parties met only once, covering two weeks, in the first meeting (25 November-6 December 1996) of the new study period (1997-2000). This meeting was chaired by the new Chairman, Mr. D. Sidor (United States), appointed by WTSC-96. Main issues dealt with were as follows:
Under network and system maintenance:
Designations in international networks
Maintenance of switched international circuit (telephone, ISDN and B-ISDN)
Common Channel Signaling maintenance
Assessment of network performance and exchange of information
Under performance and test equipment:
Maintenance of leased and supporting networks
Maintenance of digital transport networks
Test and measurement techniques and equipments
Under the study on TMN:
TMN common capabilities (e.g. methodology, F-interface, X-interface, etc.)
TMN resources and service capabilities (e.g. OSI system management, network level management, information modeling, etc.)
TMN applications and protocol capabilities (e.g. OAM at F, Q3 and X-interfaces, remote operation of management applications, managed object definitions, etc.)
b)WTSC-96 also approved that Study Group 4 be the Lead Study Group for the study of TMN.
5.3.3.5 Study Group 5 (Protection against electromagnetic environment) - Chairman: Mr. G. Meineri (I)
a) During the study period 1993-1996, Study Group 5 distributed its studies in 3 working parties: Working Party 1 (High frequency compatibility), Working Party 2 (Compatibility with electricity lines, Working Party 3 (Resistibility, protection components, lightning, earthing).
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b)In January 1996, Study Group 5 and its working parties held a one-week meeting. Following the decision at the meeting, 3 new recommendations as well as 2 revised recommendations were put to vote under Resolution 1 procedure and approved on 8 May. Furthermore, 5 new recommendations and 3 revised as well as the deletion of 4 recommendations were approved by approval by WTSC-96. Concerning the Handbooks, work on revisions of the Directives, Lightning Protection, as well as on new Handbooks on Measurement, and on Earthing and bonding of telecommunications installations, continued.
c) After WTSC-96, the new study period started with 10 revised (or merged) Questions, and 3 new Questions: on Human safety related to operating voltages and currents, on Radio-frequency effects on telecommunication voice terminals (common Question with Study Group 12), and on Human safety from electromagnetic field exposure. The latter should be studied in collaboration with WHO through its International Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Project.
d)The first meeting of Study Group 5 after WTSC-96 was held from 2 to 6 December. The meeting created three working parties : Working Party 1 (Overvoltage protection and earthing), Working Party 2 (Emission and immunity requirements for equipment), Working Party 3 (Human safety, power interference and EMI mitigation techniques). Rapporteurs for the Questions, and Liaison Representatives with CIGRE, CISPR, UIC, IEC, WHO, CENELEC, were appointed.
5.3.3.6 Study Group 6 (Outside plant) Chairman : Mr. K. Nikolsky (RUS)
a) During the period study 1993-1996, Study Group 6 distributed its studies in three working parties : Working Party 1 (Copper cable technologies and environmental protection issues), Working Party 2 (Installation and maintenance of optical fibre cables), Working Party 3 (Optical fibre cable construction and passive optical devices).
b) In 1996, Study Group 6 and its working parties held a one-week meeting in March. WTSC-96 approved 14 new Recommendations submitted by Study Group 6. Work continued on updates of Handbook on Optical Fibre Cables, and Handbook on Computer Application to Outside Plant. Drafting work advanced on the Handbook on Protection against Fire, and Handbook on Marinized Terrestrial Cables.
c) After WTSC-96, the new study period started with 10 revised Questions and 3 new Questions: on Power supply for outside plant, on Trenchless techniques for underground infrastructures, and on Access facilities using hybrid fibre/copper networks.
d)WTSC-96 appointed a new Study Group 6 Chairman, Mr. L. Molleda (Spain) and instructed Study Group 6 to appoint the Vice-Chairman at the first meeting of Study Group 6 (to be held in February 1997), in agreement with the TSB Director.
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5.3.3.7 Study Group 7 (Data networks and open system communications) - Chairman: Mr. H.V. Bertine (USA)
a) Study Group 7 held its final meeting in April 1996. Some rapporteur groups held interim meetings after the final meeting of Study Group 7 in order to progress work. In 1996, 83 draft X-Series Recommendations were approved and 3 existing recommendations were deleted by letter ballot. In addition, Recommendation X.744 was approved by WTSC-96.
b)Study Group 7 is at a transition point in its work programme since much of its work has reached maturity. The work on circuit-switched data networks has already been brought to its natural conclusion. The work on packet-switched data networks has reached its 20th anniversary. Extensions to cover frame relay and ATM aspects are expected to be completed in 1997. Likewise, the work on OSI is wrapping up with the set of revisions planned for approval in 1997. The largest area of work (responsible for 20% of texts) - systems management - is proposed for transfer to another study group to consolidate TMN work. In contrast, there are just a few topics where work is increasing. Open Distributed Processing (ODP) is ramping up with a considerable work plan. Multicast and data compression are two areas where work is in the early stages. This study group is designated by WTSC-96 as Lead Study Group on ODP, Frame Relay and for Communication Systems Security.
5.3.3.8 Study Group 8 (Terminals for telematic services) - Chairman: Mr. W. Staudinger (D)
a) Study Group 8 held its final meeting in February 1996. Several interim meetings of rapporteur groups met after that meeting to progress the work.
b) In 1996, 13 draft T-Series Recommendations were adopted and 2 existing recommendations were deleted by letter ballot. In addition, WTSC-96 approved 10 T-Series Recommendations and deleted 9 existing texts.
c) By decision of WTSC-96, the general area of responsibility of this study group was changed from “Terminals for telematic services” to “Characteristics of telematic systems.” The Conference also designated Study Group 8 as Lead Study Group on Facsimile.
5.3.3.9 Study Group 9 (Television and sound transmission) - Chairman : Mr. J.L. Tejerina Garcia (E)
a) In 1996, Study Group 9 and its working parties met from 25 to 29 March 1996, and Working Party 1/9 held an interregnum meeting on 18-21 November 1996.
b)During the Study Group 9 meeting of 25-29 March 1996, 1 revised and 2 new recommendations were approved in the areas of transport of MPEG-2 constant bit-rate television signals, digital transmission of high quality sound-programme signals, and terminology. 1 new and 3 revised recommendations, in the areas of interactive television services, cable television and digital transmission of contribution-quality component-coded signals were forwarded to WTSC-96 for approval.7 new recommendations were drafted in the areas of electronic programme guides, distribution of PALplus signals, performance testing, guidelines for point-to-point transmission of television signals, subjective assessment of sound quality in digital audio transmission, use of non-homogeneous and hybrid networks for distribution of television signals.
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c) During the Working Party 1/9 meeting of 18-21 November 1996, 3 new and 3 revised recommendations were “determined” for the approval process in the areas of interactive television services, electronic programme guides, guidelines for point-to-point transmission of television signals, cable television transmission, SMATV distribution, and terminology. 8 new and 1 revised recommendations were progressed in the areas of performance testing, service information, enhanced television signals, MPEG-compressed television signals, conditional access, hybrid links, non-homogeneous networks, and quality and measurements of digital television transmission. WTSC-96 gave to Study Group 9 the responsibility for the maintaining of the N-Series Recommendations: “Maintenance:international sound-programme and television transmission circuits”, in addition to its responsibility for the J-Series Recommendations.
5.3.3.10Study Group 10 (Languages for telecommunication applications) -Chairman: Mr. O.F. Faergemand (DNK)
a) In 1996 Study Group 10 held one meeting. Besides, experts groups held three meetings in different locations. The subjects covered were:
corrections to Recommendation Z.100 (Specification and Description Languages - SDL);
SDL and ASN.1;
Common Interface Format;
Formal Description Techniques (FDTs);
Message Sequence Charts (MSCs);
Graphic GDMO (Guidelines for the Definitions of Managed Objects);
HMI (Human Machine Interface) data for GDMO/ASN.1 Management Information Model.
b)Formal liaisons have been established between Study Group 10 and external fora (e.g. OMG, NMF, etc.).
c) Study Group 10 proposed and WTSC-96 agreed to a new general area of responsibility for for the Study Group: “Languages and general software aspects for telecommunication systems”. This was done to reflect clearly the subjects to be covered in the study period 1997-2000. In addition, WTSC-96 appointed Mr. Amardeo Sarma (Germany) as the new Chairman . 13 Questions were proposed for adoption in WTSC-96 with success.WTSC-96 approved 2 new and 4 revised Recommendations, covering SDL, FDT and MSC as subjects.
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5.3.3.11Study Group 11 - (Switching and signalling) - Chairman : Mr. S. Kano (J)
a) Study Group 11 held its fifth meeting of the study period. Like the previous meetings this fifth meeting was also of a three week duration due to the large size of the study group and its work activities. Numerous rapporteur meetings were also held. 25 draft new and 12 revised recommendations were submitted for ballot approval by the Study Group 11 meeting in February 1996. These recommendations were approved and have become official ITU-T recommendations. New Questions were drafted by the study group and submitted to WTSC-96 for approval. 19 new Questions were approved by WTSC-96 for the 1997-2000 study period. Study Group 11 has also been desginated by WTSC-96 as Lead Study Group on Intelligent Network and FPLMTS (IMT-2000).
b)Formal communication was established with the ATM Forum and informal communication with DAVIC was continued.
c) Study Group 11 will continue its established reputation in the world as centre of excellence in this work for telephone, N-ISDN, B-ISDN, UPT, mobile and multimedia communications.
5.3.3.12Study Group 12 (End-to-end transmission performance of networks and terminals) - Chairman : Mr. P. Lorand (F)
a) Study Group 12 had only one meeting, which was the last of the 1993-1996 study period, in Geneva, from 6 to 15 May 1996. This meeting approved 6 new and 8 revised recommendations and proposed to initiate the Resolution 1 Section 8 approval procedure for 2 new and 1 revised recommendations.
b)Study Group 12 proposed and WTSC-96 agreed the new work program for the study period 1997-2000, with 21 study Questions. WTSC-96 appointed Mr. M. Cao (China) as Chairman of the Study Group. The general area of responsibility remains unchanged.
c) The subjects studied by Study Group 12 can be divided into three groups:
telephonometry and terminals,
subjective and objective assessment,
transmission performance and planning.
d) In order to prepare the new study period, the rapporteurs groups and the Speech Quality Experts Group (SQEG) continued the work mainly by correspondence, with a final meeting with Question 18/12 in September 1996.
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5.3.3.13Study Group 13 (General network aspects) - Chairman: Mr. B.W. Moore (G)
a) Study Group 13 and its working parties held one formal meeting, several rapporteurs meetings took place in different locations. Some 24 new and revised recommendations have been approved. These recommedations deal, inter-alia, with B-ISDN implementation, resource management, customer access, performances, interworking and the use of satellite transmission medium in the framework of ISDN.
b)The Intersector Coordination Group on satellite matters worked by correspondence and WTSC-96 decided to continue the activities of this group.
c) The Joint Rapporteur’s Group on Global Information Infrastructure (JRG on GII) met four times under the leadership of Study Group 13, making substantial progress in identifying the standardization programme for the GII and developing draft Recommendations on frameworks, scenarios, terminology and general GII overview. Work items to support the GII standardization programme have been included in the Questions of many study groups and the ideas of GII programme/projects have been established.
d)WTSC-96 designated this study group as Lead Study Group on General Network Aspects, Global Information Infrastructure (GII) and Broadband ISDN.
5.3.3.14Study Group 14 (Modems and transmission techniques for data, telegraph and telematic services) - Chairman : Mr. K. Kern (D)
a) During the study period 1993-1996, Study Group 14 distributed its studies in two working parties: Working Party 1 (DCEs and terminal adaptors), Working Party 2 (Telegraph/data muldexes and transmission equipment).
b) In 1996, Study Group 14 and its working parties held a 7-day meeting in March. Rapporteur Groups of Working Party 1 held several meetings during the year in different places. Following the decisions of the Study Group 14 meeting held in March, several new recommendations were put to vote under Resolution 1 procedure and approved on 16 August. Regarding some of these recommendations, a non-ITU-T member organization had claimed intellectual property rights which it could not openly license. However, careful discussion between that organization and the members of Study Group 14 enabled, at the last moment, to make that organization change the patent statement in conformity with the TSB Patent Policy.
c) Further, the Study Group 14 meeting proposed 10 revised recommendations for approval by WTSC-96. The proposals were approved by WTSC-96. The highlights of the approved new and revised recommendations are the ones concerning simultaneous and/or alternate voice and data transmission, as well as revision of a recommendation to update the modem speed to 33600 bit/s.
d)The Study Group 14 meeting closed 4 Questions, and proposed 9 revised and 1 new Questions for the new study period. Decision was made by the WTSC-96 to cease Study Group 14, and Questions were transferred to Study Groups 16 and 15.
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5.3.3.15Study Group 15 (Transmission systems and equipment) - Chairman: Mr. P.A. Probst (Switzerland).
a) Study Group 15 and its working parties held one formal meeting. Several rapporteurs meetings took place in different locations. Some 23 draft new and revised Recommendations dealing with audio-visual and multimedia services and systems, signal processing, optical transmission and ATM equipment and management have been approved by WTSC-96 or by the procedures of Resolution 1. The algorithms in the framework of signal processing studies will be used for mobile applications as well as for multimedia applications. This activity has been realized in cooperation with experts of Study Group 12.
b)The Joint Coordination Group on AVMMS continued to work by correspondence and submitted a report for consideration by TSAG which served as a basis for the creation by WTSC-96 of new Study Group 16 dealing with multimedia services and systems.
c) Study Group 15 has changed its general area of responsibility from “Transmission systems and equipment” to “Transport networks, systems and equipment.” It is designated by WTSC-96 as Lead Study Group on Access Network Transport and a new Chairman, Mr. P. Wery (CAN) is appointed.
5.3.3.16Study Group 16 (Multimedia services and systems) - Chairman: Mr. P.A. Probst (Switzerland).
a) WTSC-96 established this new study group with the responsibility for studies relating to multimedia service definition and multimedia systems, including the associated terminal modems, protocols and signal processing.
b)Study Group 16 has inherited Questions and activites of Study Groups 1,8,14 and 15.
5.3.3.17Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) - Chairman : Mr. B. Horton (Australia)
a) The Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) held two meetings in 1996 : 19 to 23 February and 1 to 5 July.
b)TSAG prepared material for the work programme, working methods and work guidelines for the activities of ITU-T study groups for the 1997-2000 study period. This material often became the basis for discussion and a point of departure for examination during the Conference. Almost all the draft resolutions and A-series recommendations by TSAG were adopted officially by WTSC-96 with minor modifications.
c) WTSC-96 decided to give an increased mandate and responisibility to TSAG and appointed Mr. G. Fisman (United States) as Chairman (see Document C97/53).
5.3.3.18JWP TSAG/RAG on refinement: Chairman: Mr. Th. Boe (Norway)
a) The JWP on refinement met from 19 to 21 February 1996 in Geneva to finalize the report for submission to Council 1996 and to WTSC-96 (see Document C97/52).
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5.3.4 Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB)
5.3.4.1 General
a) In addition to the regular work involving the study group secretariats, the provision of logistic and secretarial support for the ITU-T meetings, the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) was heavily charged, throughout 1996, with preparations for WTSC-96 and with the processing of the outcomes of the Conference. The preparations for the Conference were carried out with the constant cooperation of the ITU General Secretariat.
b)The editorial services for ITU-T publications, the administration of the telecommunication access codes, the Electronic Document Handling (EDH) service and the Documents Control service functioned normally during 1996. Statistics on the documents per study group processed by the TSB are shown in Table 3. The activities of some of the TSB services are described below.
5.3.4.2 Electronic Document Handling (EDH)
a) TSB has continued its efforts in order to promote the use of EDH tools and working methods. This resulted in a significant and constant growth in study group usage of EDH for the submission of documents: during 1996, 1278 documents and various texts relating to the activities of the ITU-T study groups were received electronically and handled. An updated guide for the electronic submission of documents was issued and circulated to the ITU-T members by circular in November 1996.
b) In addition, the EDH section provided information, advice and assistance on EDH matters to the ITU-T study groups via their Coordinator or Rapporteur on EDH and encouraged the use of electronic facilities available in ITU for their correspondence work. The necessary support was also given to study group members wishing to use the available electronic facilities.
c) As in the past, information and documents concerning the ITU-T study groups were made available or kept updated in the document database which can be accessed interactively via various interfaces. It should be noted in particular that, following the discussions at Council 96, the documents of WTSC-96 were available online for retrieval.
d)As regards the ITU-T Recommendations which are available to subscribers to the ITU-T Recommendations Online service or via the Electronic Bookshop, in order to satisfy the users' expectations, efforts concentrated on keeping the database up to date with mostly new or revised Recommendations and on making the files available without delay as soon as they are ready. The database now stores more than 2300 Recommendations and Supplements.
5.3.4.3 Operational Information Processing
a) The section in charge of operational information is entrusted to keep close relations with all Administrations, services providers or network operators (ROAs) to collect and process information received from them, using the most suitable and economical means in order to disseminate the information concerning administration, operation, numbering plan, tariff matters of the international telecommunication services.
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b)During 1996, 24 issues of ITU Operational Bulletin were published (2400 pages prepared and 1300 pages printed). The information published in the Bulletin supported the operation, administration and maintenance of global telecommunication networks and services. The ITU Operational Bulletin On-line service is further perfected. Administrations/ROAs or any other subscribers can choose among four media to obtain the Bulletin i.e. printed copy; hard copy delivered by facsimile; soft copy by E-mail and access on-line. Eleven lists concerning code allocations or numbering plan have been updated and published as annexes to the ITU Operational Bulletins. In close collaboration with the External Affairs Unit in the General Secretariat, information is disseminated about status changes of Administrations/ROAs and emergence of new service provisions or networks operations in telecommunications market, following the development of liberalization and privatization in the mutating environment of the telecommunication world.
c) In accordance with Constitution and Convention, Regulations and mainly ITU-T recommendations, it is in charge of providing information or answering queries from Administrations/ROAs, other entities, organizations or users about both traditional or new services; code or numberings changes; tariff or accounting matters; etc.. In this respect, the total correspondence comprised about 2000 communications during 1996 by facsimile, telex, letter, E-mail or ITU Circular-Telegrams.
5.3.4.4 UIFN (see Document C97/25)
a) The TSB was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as registrar for universal international freephone numbers (UIFN), further to a new Recommendation from Study Group 2. At its 1996 session the Council also decided to authorize the opening of a special account for the financial management of the numbers. A registration fee of 200 Swiss francs per number requested was established to cover the costs of setting up and maintaining the service.
b)Requests for numbers began arriving at the TSB in December 1996. According to an initial breakdown drawn up at the end of the subscription period referred to as Day 1 (3 December 1996 to 31 January 1997), some 16 000 requests had been received by the TSB from 57 recognized operating agencies in 32 countries. These preliminary data correspond to the predictive financial plan submitted to the Council in 1996. The new registrar function therefore got off to a good start in 1996, the next stage being to deal, in keeping with the Recommendation, with the 2 000 or so requests received for numbers that are identical.
5.3.5 Members of the Sector
a) As on 31 December 1996, ITU-T’s Sector Members (apart from Administrations which are members of right) consisted of 115 recognized operating agencies, 151 scientific or industrial organizations, 2 other entities dealing with telecommunication matters, 23 regional and international organizations, 10 regional telecommunication organizations, 4 intergovernmental organizations operating satellite systems.
b)During 1996 the Sector received a total of 30 new Sector Members : 15 recognized operating agencies, 14 scientific or industrial organizations and 1 regional organization.
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TABLE 1
List of meetings held in 1996
Date Place Meeting
15 - 19 January Geneva Study Group 5 (Protection against electromagnetic environment effects) and its working parties
16 - 25 January San Francisco Working Party 1/2 (Numbering, routing)
22 January - 2 February Geneva Study Group 4 (Network maintenance) and its working parties
29 January - 16 February Miyazaki Study Group 11 (Switching and signalling) and its working parties
6 - 15 February Geneva Study Group 8 (Terminals for telematic services) and its working parties
12 - 16 February Geneva Study Group 6 (Outside Plant) and its working parties
19 - 23 February Geneva TSAG (Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group) and its working parties
19 February (PM) Geneva TSAG/RAG Joint Working Party on Refinement of the Radiocommunication Sector and Telecommunication Stqandardization Sector
21 February (PM) Geneva Joint meeting TSAG (Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group) and RAG (Radiocommunication Advisory Group)
27 February - 8 March Geneva Study Group 1 (Service definition) and its working parties
11 - 20 March Geneva Study Group 3 (Tariff and accounting principles) and its working partiesSG\CONSEIL\C97\000\035E4.DOC 06/05/2023 06/05/2023
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19 - 27 March Geneva Study Group 14 (Modems and transmission techniques for data, telegraph and telematic services) and its working parties
25 - 29 March Geneva Study Group 9 (Television and sound transmission) and its working parties
26 - 28 March Geneva JCG TMN (Joint coordination group for telecommunication management network)
10 - 18 April Geneva Study Group 10 (Languages for telecommunication applications) and its working parties
15 - 26 April Geneva Study Group 7 (Data networks and open system communications) and its working parties
29 April - 10 May Geneva Study Group 13 (General network aspects) and its working parties
6 - 9 May Manama (Bahrain) TAS Group (Tariff Group for Asia and Oceania)
6 - 17 May Geneva Study Group 12 (End-to-end transmission performance of networks and terminals) and its working parties, and SQEG (Speech Quality Expert Group)
14 - 24 MayGeneva Study Group 2 (Network operation) and its working parties
27 May - 7 JuneGeneva Study Group 15 (Transmission systems and equipement) and its working parties
1 - 5 July Geneva TSAG (Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group) and its working parties
9 - 18 October Geneva World Telecommunication Standardization Conference (WTSC-96)
11 - 15 November Geneva Study Group 3 (Tariff and accounting principles including related telecommunications economic and policy issues) and its working parties
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18 - 21 November Boulder Working Party 1/9 (Television-programme transmission)
18 - 22 November Londres Working Party 1/2 (Numbering, routing)
25 Nov. - 6 December Geneva Study Group 4 (Telecommunication management network and network maintenance) and its working parties
2 - 6 December Geneva Study Group 5 (Protection against electromagnetic environment effects) and its working parties
In addition to the meetings listed, a number of meetings with limited participation were convened by Chairmen or Rapporteurs in 1996, either in or away from Geneva and in particular four meetings of the Joint Rapporteur Group on Global Information Infrastructure (GII) have been held during 1996 under the direction of Study Group 13.
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TABLE 2
Participation in ITU-T meetings in 1996
Study Groups and their Working Parties
Regiona
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Administrations 23 32 56 16 16 11 20 18 17 13 18 20 25 16 26
Recognized operating agencies
25 41 41 29 13 14 15 13 16 10 34 17 39 9 30
Scientific or industrial organizations
7 16 1 32 11 10 16 21 9 7 35 16 51 21 61
Other entities - - 1 - - - - - 1 2 - - - - -
International organizations
5 4 6 1 3 - 2 2 3 - 2 1 6 1 2
Total number of entities
60 93 105 78 43 35 53 54 46 32 89 54 121 47 119
Number of participants
135 158 174 170 55 57 167 142 73 53 386 106 352 82 398
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TABLE 3
Documents issued in 1996
Study Groups and their Working Parties
Regiona
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Contributions normal 6 39 20 28 6 1 134 15 16 9 8 16 18 11 73
delayed 57 80 27 77 18 7 98 74 34 24 405 25 239 33 194
Reports 20 18 6 7 3 2 13 6 3 6 48 7 18 5 19
WTSC-96 Conference Documents : 136
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SG\CONSEIL\C97\000\035E0.DOC 13.08.97
