Recognizing WSIS Impacts

PP RESOLUTION 177 (Rev. Busan, 2014)

Conformance and interoperability

The Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunication Union ( Busan, 2014),

• recognizing
  • a) Resolution 76 (Rev. Dubai, 2012) of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly;
  • b) Resolution 47 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of the World Telecommunication Development Conference;
  • c) Resolution 62 (Geneva, 2012) of the Radiocommunication Assembly;
  • d) that, at its 2013 session, the ITU Council updated the Action Plan for the Conformance and Interoperability (C&I) Programme initially established in 2012, the pillars of which are: 1) conformity assessment, 2) interoperability events, 3) human resource capacity building, and 4) assistance in the establishment of test centres and C&I programmes in developing countries1;
  • e) the progress reports made by the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) to the Council at its 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 sessions and to this conference,
• noting
  • that several ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU‑T) study groups have already started pilot projects for conformity to ITU‑T recommendations,
• recognizing further
  • a) that widespread conformance and interoperability of telecommunication/information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and systems through the implementation of relevant programmes, policies and decisions can increase market opportunities and reliability and encourage global integration and trade;
  • b) that technical training and institutional capacity building for testing and conformity are one of the essential tools for countries to promote global connectivity;
  • c) that ITU members may benefit from using the conformity assessment that many regional and national standards bodies already provide for conformity assessment, through mechanisms of collaboration with such organizations;
  • d) that a decision concerning the implementation of an ITU Mark would be postponed until pillar 1 (conformity assessment) of the Action Plan has reached a more mature stage of development (Council 2012),
• considering
  • a) that some countries, especially developing countries, have not yet acquired the capacity to test equipment and provide assurance to consumers in their countries;
  • b) that increased confidence in the conformity of telecommunication/ICT equipment to rules and standards in place promotes interoperability of equipment from different manufacturers, reduces interference among communication systems, and assists developing countries in choosing high-quality products,
• resolves
  • 1 to endorse the objectives of Resolution 76 (Rev. Dubai, 2012), Resolution 62 (Geneva, 2012) and Resolution 47 (Rev. Dubai, 2014), and the Action Plan for the C&I Programme reviewed by the Council at its 2014 session (Document C14/24(Rev.1));
  • 2 that this programme of work continue to be implemented, including the informative pilot conformity database and its development into a fully functioning database, in consultation with each region, taking into consideration a) the outcome and effect that the pilot conformity database may have on Member States, Sector Members and stakeholders (e.g. other standards development organizations (SDOs)), b) the impact the database will have on bridging the standardization gap as relevant to each region, c) the potential liability issues for ITU and for Member States, Sector Members and stakeholders, and taking into account the results of regional ITU conformity and interoperability consultations;
  • 3 to assist developing countries in establishing regional or subregional conformity and interoperability centres suitable to perform conformity and interoperability testing as appropriate and according to their needs,
• instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
  • 1 to continue consultations and assessment studies in all regions, taking into consideration the needs of each region, on implementation of the Action Plan endorsed by the Council, including, in collaboration with the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), the recommendations on human capacity building and assistance in the establishment of test facilities in developing countries;
  • 2 to continue to carry out pilot projects for conformity to ITU‑T recommendations to increase the probability of interoperability in accordance with the Action Plan;
  • 3 to enhance and improve standards-setting processes in order to improve interoperability through conformity;
  • 4 to continuously update the Action Plan for the long-term implementation of this resolution;
  • 5 to provide the Council with progress reports, including the results of studies, relating to the implementation of this resolution;
  • 6 in cooperation with the Director of BDT, and based on the consultations in instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau 1 above, to implement the Action Plan agreed by the Council in its 2012 session and revised by the Council at its 2013 session,
• instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, in close collaboration with the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau
  • 1 to advance the implementation of Resolution 47 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) and the relevant parts of the Action Plan, and to report to the Council;
  • 2 to assist Member States in addressing their concerns with respect to non-compliant equipment;
  • 3 to continue providing on-the-job capacity-building activities, in collaboration with recognized institutions and benefiting from the ITU Academy ecosystem, including activities related to preventing radiocommunication interference caused or received by ICT equipment,
• invites the Council
  • 1 to consider the reports of the Directors of the three Bureaux and to take all necessary measures so as to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this resolution;
  • 2 to report to the next plenipotentiary conference on the progress made with respect to this resolution;
  • 3 to consider, after pillar 1 of the Action Plan has reached a more mature stage of development, the possible introduction of an ITU Mark, taking into account the technical, financial and legal implications,
• invites the membership
  • 1 to populate the pilot conformity database with details of products tested to applicable ITU‑T recommendations in accredited test laboratories (first, second or third party), or by accredited certification bodies, or according to procedures adopted by a standards development organization or forum qualified in accordance with Recommendation ITU‑T A.5;
  • 2 to participate in the work of the ITU study groups related to conformity and interoperability issues;
  • 3 to take an active role in building developing countries’ capacity in conformity and interoperability testing, including on-the-job training, particularly as part of any supply contract for telecommunication equipment, services and systems to these countries;
  • 4 to support the establishment of regional conformity testing facilities, particularly in developing countries;
  • 5 to participate in ITU assessment studies to promote the establishment of harmonized conformity and interoperability frameworks in the regions,
• invites organizations qualified in accordance with Recommendation ITU‑T A.5
  • 1 to participate in the ITU pilot conformity database activities and, sharing links on a mutual basis, to enrich its extent by referring to more recommendations and standards within a product, and to allow for more exposure of vendors’ products and widen the portfolio of selection to the users;
  • 2 to participate in developing countries’ capacity-building programmes and activities facilitated by TSB and BDT, in particular offering opportunities for developing-country experts – particularly from operators – to gain on-the-job experience,
• invites Member States
  • 1 to contribute to the implementation of this resolution;
  • 2 to encourage national and regional testing entities to assist ITU in implementing this resolution;
  • 3 to adopt conformity-assessment regimes and procedures based on applicable ITU‑T recommendations, leading to better quality of service/quality of experience, and to higher probability of interoperability of equipment, services and systems,
• further invites Member States
  • to contribute to the next radiocommunication assembly in 2015 in order for it to consider and take appropriate actions as deemed necessary with respect to C&I.