APEC Officials LoginAPEC Groups
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Telecommunications and Information Working Group |
The APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TEL) aims to improve telecommunications and information infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region by developing and implementing appropriate telecommunications and information policies, including relevant human resource and development cooperation strategies. This is reflected in the TEL's expanded vision of promoting the transition from an Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure into the Asia-Pacific Information Society.
The TEL was established in 1990 and conducts its work programme through the following steering groups:
- Liberalisation Steering Group (LSG)
- ICT Development Steering Group (DSG)
- Security and Prosperity Steering Group (SPSG)
A Mutual Recognition Arrangement Task Force (MRATF) was created under the LSG to implement a mutual recognition arrangement on conformity assessment of telecommunications equipment (MRA-CA) and to draft a mutual recognition arrangement for equivalence of technical requirements in telecommunications equipment (MRA-ETR).
The steering groups and task force propose and implement projects that address priorities set by both Telecommunications and Information Ministers and Leaders. These priorities are: reducing the digital divide, next generation networks and technologies, e-government, mutual recognition arrangements, regulatory reform, capacity building, protecting information and communications infrastructure, cybersecurity, and advancing the Asia Pacific Information Society.
Achievements
APEC economies have achieved the goal of tripling internet access in the region, originally set in the 2000 APEC Leaders' Declaration (the Brunei Declaration). Economies are now focused on establishing and implementing policies to reach the goal of universal access to broadband by 2015.
The MRA on Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment (MRA-CA) is in its 10th year of implementation. It benefits manufacturers by reducing the cost of getting a product approved and by reducing the time taken for products to reach the market. It also benefits consumers by ensuring access to a variety of competitively-priced products. The MRATF is now working on an MRA for equivalence of technical requirements in telecommunications equipment to complement the MRA-CA.
The TEL has also been successful in its active engagement of the private sector and other international organisations to achieve synergies and progress work in areas of mutual interest. Many TEL projects are initiated and driven solely by the private sector, and others are joint private-public sector initiatives in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Global Business Dialogue on Electronic Commerce (GBDe), the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), the Internet Society (ISOC) and the International Telecommunications Users Group (INTUG).
Current Activities
The 41st Meeting of the Telecommunications and Information Working Group was held in Taipei, Chinese Taipei from 6-12 May 2010. Members discussed components of the TEL 2010-2015 Strategic Plan, which adopts a tactical approach to guide the group's work in the next 5 years. The Plan will be finalised and approved at the upcoming Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications and Information (TELMIN) in October. At the working group meeting, members also considered economies' telecommunications and information-related policy and regulatory developments and reviewed completed TEL projects and the progress of ongoing projects including:
The "Workshop on the WTO Telecommunications Trade Rules and Regulatory Disciplines" held in Singapore in March 2010. The workshop helped build participants' capacity to understand and implement the WTO disciplines by providing a platform for participants to share information and experiences in implementing trade rules and regulatory disciplines in the telecommunications sector.
The current "Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure (APII) Testbed Network Project" that aims to facilitate researchers' and engineers' work and promote the use of new generation internet. This is done by utilising real testbed infrastructure and by sharing facilities, equipment and knowledge among network operation teams. The project's current research focus includes green ICT, telemedicine and e-learning.
The ongoing "Stock-Take on Regulatory Convergence Report" that maps out the current state of convergence, as well as the challenges arising from differences in policy, regulatory or legislative frameworks, particularly in the region's telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and in the spectrum and internet environments.
Other TEL projects endorsed at the meeting include infrastructure sharing to foster broadband access, the use of ICT in disaster information dissemination, the implementation of Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), and the development of green ICT.
The meeting was preceded by the following roundtables and workshops:
Industry Roundtable: The roundtable included presentations and discussions on the benefits of broadband networks and rising bandwidth demands. Other topics considered included the use of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology, point of deployment trends for multiple service operators (MSO), cloud computing, and government intervention on the broadband market.
Regulatory Roundtable: The roundtable included discussions on the social and economic benefits of "digital dividend" including the development of effective strategies for spectrum management.
Workshop on Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6): The workshop "Transforming the Internet" focused on IPv6 issues and showcased examples of successful IPv6 implementation. A set of recommendations was developed for member economies and industry to adopt and promote the uptake of IPv6.
Workshop on International Mobile Roaming Charges: The workshop included a session to draft the guidelines for international mobile roaming, as well as presentations from Korea and the INTUG on the importance of addressing consumer awareness and protection.
Cyber Security Voluntary ISP Code of Practice: The workshop focused on the principles and challenges for developing internet service provider (ISP) guidelines to strengthen cyber security in a rapidly changing online environment.
Capacity Building Workshop on the Prevention of Child Exploitation Facilitated through the Internet: The workshop provided a platform for information exchange and discussed the role of law enforcement in combating online child exploitation. Other issues considered included prevention strategies, successful partnerships with industry and NGOs, and the challenges of cross-jurisdictional legislation and cooperation with ISPs.
Enabling ICT Infrastructure Investment for Growth and Recovery: This follow-up discussion on the APEC Digital Prosperity Checklist focused on the economic and social benefits of broadband access and considered policies that promote broadband including agency designation, infrastructure development and encouraging competition.
The TEL continues to advance the following issues identified at the 7th Telecommunications and Information Ministers Meeting held in Bangkok in April 2008:
Expand the reach of telecommunications networks with the goal of achieving universal access to broadband by 2015.
Examine appropriate policy and regulatory responses to support competition, encourage innovative and secure cross-border telecommunications and value-added services.
Encourage continued sharing of information and experiences to ensure a safe ICT environment that can effectively respond to cyber threats, malicious attacks and spam, and promote a secure online environment to facilitate electronic transactions.
Develop and implement domestic cyber security strategies and cross-border collaboration to counter threats to networks, in particular with respect to essential infrastructure and services.
Further develop sustainable community-based programs including public-private partnerships to build capacity in the use of ICT for empowering rural and remote communities.
Collaborate with other organisations and contribute to broader APEC efforts on the role played by ICT in emergency preparedness, early warning systems, disaster mitigation, rescue and relief operations, delivery of humanitarian assistance and recovery efforts.
The 42nd TEL Working Group Meeting will be held in Brunei Darussalam from 2-7 August 2010, and the 8th Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications and Information will be held in Okinawa, Japan from 30-31 October 2010.
Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TEL) - Key Contacts
Chair
Mr Liu Ziping
Director
Department of International Cooperation
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
13 West Chang An Ave.
Beijing 100804
Email: zpliu@miit.gov.cn
Assistant to the Chair
Ms Grace Li Ting
Email: liting1@catr.cn
Vice Chair
Mr Kenji Tanaka
Managing Director
Telecom Engineering Center
5-7-2, Yashio Shinagawa-ku
Tokyo 140-0003 Japan
Email: kenji-tanaka@telec.or.jp
APEC Secretariat
Ms. Susan B. Natividad
Director (Program)
E-mail: sbn@apec.org
Reviewed on: 15 July 2010