Recognizing WSIS Impacts

WTDC RESOLUTION 77 (Dubai, 2014)

Broadband technology and applications for greater growth and development of telecommunication/information and communication services and broadband connectivity

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (Dubai, 2014),

• recalling
  • a) Resolution 71 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on the strategic plan for the Union;
  • b) Resolution 139 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on telecommunications/information and communication technologies (ICTs) to bridge the digital divide and build an inclusive information society;
  • c) the outcome documents of the 2005 phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS);
  • d) Resolution 135 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on ITU’s role in the development of telecommunications/ICTs, and the importance of telecommunications/ICTs for economic and social progress;
  • e) Opinion 2 (Geneva, 2014) of the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum, on fostering an enabling environment for the greater growth and development of broadband connectivity;
  • f) Resolution 20 (Rev. Hyderabad, 2010) of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC), on non-discriminatory access to modern telecommunication/ICT facilities, services and related applications;
  • g) Resolution 43 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of this conference, on assistance for implementing international mobile telecommunications (IMT);
  • h) Resolution 50 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of this conference, on optimal integration of ICTs,
• considering
  • a) the role of ITU, and the role of the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU‑D) in particular, in the development of telecommunication/ICT facilities and services;
  • b) the potential benefits of the rapid introduction of new and diverse telecommunication services, including those highlighted in Resolution 66/184 of the United Nations General Assembly, and consistent with § 54 of the Tunis Agenda for Information Society, and the role of broadband connectivity in attaining the UN Millennium Development Goals;
  • c) the importance of broadband capacity to facilitate the delivery of a broader range of services and applications, promote investment and provide Internet access at affordable prices to both existing and new users in underserved and unserved communities using a technology-neutral approach to bridging the existing digital divide;
  • d)that new innovative terrestrial wireless systems as well as satellite system technologies can help bridge the digital divide, not only between developing countries and developed countries but also between urban, remote and rural regions where coverage by conventional fixed telecommunication services may not be adequate;
  • e) that broadband terrestrial and satellite systems are an effective, and in many cases – particularly for rural areas – the most effective, means of performing many practical tasks to open up new prospects to help bridge the digital divide and affording developing countries access to new technologies,
• taking into account
  • a) the report of the fifth WTDC (Hyderabad, 2010), highlighting the importance of telecommunication infrastructure and technology development, particularly in developing countries, and adopting regional initiatives and the Hyderabad Action Plan to assist developing countries in achieving, to a greater degree, universal access to telecommunication services;
  • b) that many countries are interested in introducing a comprehensive technology-neutral approach for broadband services in activities such as e‑health, e‑government and e‑education;
  • c) that despite considerable improvements in the availability and affordability of broadband, almost two-thirds of the world population lacks access to affordable broadband;
  • d) that unequal access to broadband telecommunication services does nothing to eradicate social inequality and has an adverse impact on the social and economic situation in different countries and regions;
  • e) the importance of competition in promoting investment, as presented in the report of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development1,
• recognizing
  • a) the important role of ITU‑D in coordinating the rational use of resources in the context of various projects aimed at securing more widespread deployment of technology-neutral telecommunication services in different countries of the world;
  • b) that broadband-enabled terrestrial and satellite communications are a factor in eliminating the isolation of certain categories of population who live in parts of a country where coverage by conventional telecommunication networks remains inadequate and lack resources;
  • c) that studies suggest that broadband penetration is higher in countries with national broadband plans, policies or strategies than in countries without them;
  • d) that, pursuant to § 22 of the Geneva Declaration of Principles adopted by WSIS, a well-developed information and communication network infrastructure easily accessible and affordable making greater use of broadband can accelerate the social and economic progress of countries and the well-being of all individuals, communities and peoples;
  • e) the policy recommendations in the report of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development2 encouraging broadband infrastructure development and the creation of a favourable environment for investment in telecommunications infrastructure by encouraging all Member States to:
    • i) enable government services that will stimulate demand for and investment in telecommunications, especially in developing countries;
    • ii) establish a universal service programme to support technology-neutral telecommunication infrastructure investment;
    • iii) encourage efficient and innovative broadband practices for new market entrants and consumers;
    • iv) ensure the availability and affordability of broadband-enabled services;
  • f) that development and implementation of a national broadband plan, policy or strategy is essential to broadband development and economic growth,
• resolves
  • 1 to encourage greater coordination by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), and encourage the private sector to continue playing a significant role in supporting initiatives that foster access to and uptake of broadband connectivity by utilizing the most appropriate technology mix approach, with the aim of providing citizens greater access to ICT applications in support of national broadband strategies;
  • 2 to promote availability, accessibility, reliability and affordability of broadband in developing countries by enabling Member States to develop national broadband policies and implementation strategies based on careful evaluation of supply and demand for broadband;
  • 3 that BDT should support the implementation of regional and national projects for the use of terrestrial and satellite broadband communication systems to provide the population with services, including mobile services and applications such as e‑government, e‑health and e‑education, as well as mobile money transfer and transactions, mobile payment, mobile banking and mobile marketing, on the basis of cooperation with interested Member States, relevant international organizations and the private sector;
  • 4 that BDT, taking into account available experience and the strategy for bridging the digital divide and building the global information society, should formulate and implement a programme to develop proposals and recommendations on the most effective and efficient use of technology, including telecommunication services for broadband connectivity at regional and national level, acting in association with ITU connectivity initiatives as appropriate,
• instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau
  • 1 to seek partnerships and cooperation with parties directly involved in the provision of services to the population using the most practical telecommunication technology, facilities and networks to ensure effective implementation of the relevant ITU programmes and activities in the development of broadband connectivity, providing reliable broadband access at affordable prices to both existing and new users in underserved and unserved communities;
  • 2 to establish clear links between the broadband study Question(s), programmes, and regional initiatives in order to maximize the use of human and financial resources and, most importantly, better meet the needs of developing countries,
• invites Member States
  • 1 to create and promote widespread affordable access to broadband communication infrastructure through enabling legal and regulatory environments, including the availability of spectrum and licensing policies that are fair, transparent, stable, predictable and non-discriminatory;
  • 2 to undertake all efforts to foster an enabling environment for the greater growth and development of technology-neutral broadband connectivity in, in particular, developing countries;
  • 3 to actively contribute to the broadband study Question(s);
  • 4 to implement the results of the work performed on the study Question(s), including legal, regulatory and market reforms that create an enabling environment for broadband by promoting competition, private investment and public-private partnerships;
  • 5 to implement policies and plans to encourage the availability of services, applications, and content that stimulate demand for broadband;
  • 6 to adopt measures that promote human capacity building, including digital literacy programmes and technical education, taking account of the need to promote broadband access for women and girls, persons with disabilities, people living in rural and remote areas and indigenous peoples.