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 program 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.
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.
TEL has been very active in engaging stakeholders and collaborating with 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. Collaboration with other international fora, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Global Business Dialogue on Electronic Commerce (GBDe), Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), Internet Society (ISOC) and the International Telecommunications Users Group (INTUG), has been strengthened through joint projects and roundtables.
Current Activities
The 40th Meeting of the Telecommunications and Information Working Group was held in Cancun, Mexico from 24-30 September 2009. The meeting discussed inputs to the TEL Strategic Plan; updates on policy and regulatory developments; progress and final reports on ongoing and completed projects; and the TEL Independent Assessment recommendations on the need for identifying priorities, streamlining internal processes, greater stakeholder engagement and conducting outreach activities to promote TEL's work. The meeting also endorsed self-funded projects on cybersecurity policy development in the APEC region, cybersecurity voluntary internet service providers code of practice, and capacity building on the prevention of child sexual exploitation facilitated through the internet.
The meeting was preceded by the following industry roundtable and workshops:
Industry Roundtable ? presentations on changing trends in telecommunications such as mobile internet, internet TV, smart grids and next generation access networks.
Workshop on Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) - a workshop to raise IPv6 issues with policy decision-makers, regulators and those engaged in ICT development. Workshop topics included an IPv6 tutorial (IPv6 101), deployment status update from the three major Regional Internet Registrars (RIRs), panel discussions on technical issues, policy and strategic considerations, and presentations on broadband access and applications.
Workshop on International Mobile Roaming Charges - a workshop to discuss options for dealing with the issue of international mobile roaming charges. Presentations included the global roaming market and the complexities associated with establishing mobile roaming service offerings, an impact assessment of the European Union's roaming regulations, and users' perspective on roaming charges including feedback from international travelers who use the service..
Enabling ICT Infrastructure Investment for Growth and Recovery - a discussion on the APEC Digital Prosperity Checklist and the economic stimulus potential from the application of technologies throughout the economy. Presentations included the I-Japan Strategy 2015 that focuses on the use of ICT's in three key areas: e-government, healthcare/medicine, and education/human resources, and the place of ICT, specifically broadband deployment and expansion, in the US Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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 next TEL meeting (TEL41) will be held in Chinese Taipei in May 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
APEC Secretariat
Ms. Susan B. Natividad
Director (Program)
E-mail: sbn@apec.org
Reviewed on: 20 January 2010