INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE FOR ALL: AN EXPANDED VISION AND A RENEWED COMMITMENT
Introduction
Ten years ago, the representatives of the peoples of the world, assembled in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis in 2005 for the first and second phases of the World Summit on the Information Society adopted a common vision of the Information Society, identified its key principles and outlined the main challenges towards an Information Society for All based on shared Knowledge.
Special measures for landlocked developing countries and small island developing states for access to international optical fibre networks
The World Conference on International Telecommunications (Dubai, 2012),
considering
a) Resolution 65/172 of 20 December 2010 of the United Nations General Assembly, on specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs);
b) Resolution 30 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on special measures for the least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS), LLDCs and countries with economies in transition;
c) the Millennium Declaration and the 2005 World Summit Outcome;
d) the outcome of the Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005) phases of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS);
Special measures for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) and small island developing states (SIDSs) for access to international optical fibre networks
The World Conference on International Telecommunications (Dubai, 2012),
considering
a) Resolution 65/172 of 20 December 2010 of the United Nations General Assembly on specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries;
b) Resolution 30 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference on special measures for the least developed countries, small island developing states, landlocked developing countries and countries with economies in transition;
c) the Millennium Declaration and the 2005 World Summit Outcome;
d) the outcome of the Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005) phases of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS);
This is the first revision of this document. Changes include:
* A new article 3.9
* A new article 6.X
* Some minor editorial changes
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION REGULATIONS
PREAMBLE
While the sovereign right of each State to regulate its telecommunications is fully recognized, the provisions of the present International Telecommunication Regulations (hereafter referred to as “Regulations”) complement the Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union, with a view to attaining the purposes of the International Telecommunication Union in promoting the development of telecommunication services and their most efficient operation while harmonizing the development of facilities for world-wide telecommunications.
[While implementing these Regulations Member States shall take into account their international obligations in relation to universal human rights].
Article 1
Purpose and Scope of the Regulations
1.1 a) These Regulations establish general principles which relate to the provision and operation of international telecommunication services offered to the public as well as to the underlying international telecommunication transport means used to provide such services.
The document is a compilation of the draft text that have been discussed and consolidated through the work of the various Ad Hoc Groups, Working Group 1 and 2 and Committee 5.
Article 3
International Network
28 3.1 Members shall endeavour to ensure that [administrations] cooperate in the establishment, operation and maintenance of the international network to provide a satisfactory quality of service.
29 3.2 [Administrations] [Member States] shall endeavour to ensure the provision of sufficient telecommunication facilities to meet the demand for international telecommunication services.
30 3.3 [Operating Agencies] shall determine by mutual agreement which international routes are to be used. [Member States may seek information on the international route of their traffic, where [technically, financially and legally] feasible. Member States shall cooperate - consistent with their national laws [and respective international obligations] - to provide this information to the Member State concerned].
1 While the sovereign right of each State to regulate its telecommunications is fully recognized, the provisions of the present International Telecommunication Regulations (hereafter referred to as “Regulations”) complement the Constitutiona and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union, with a view to attaining the purposes of the International Telecommunication Union in promoting the development of telecommunication services and their most efficient operation while harmonizing the development of facilities for world-wide telecommunications. [While implementing these Regulations Member States shall take into account their international obligations in relation to universal human rights].
Article 1
Purpose and Scope of the Regulations
1.1 a) These Regulations establish general principles which relate to the provision and operation of international telecommunication services offered to the public as well as to the underlying international telecommunication transport means used to provide such services.
Special measures for landlocked developing countries and small island developing states for access to international optical fibre networks
The World Conference on International Telecommunications (Dubai, 2012),
considering
a) Resolution 65/172 of 20 December 2010 of the United Nations General Assembly, on specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs);
b) Resolution 30 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on special measures for the least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS), LLDCs and countries with economies in transition;
c) the Millennium Declaration and the 2005 World Summit Outcome;
d) the outcome of the Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005) phases of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS);
The USA proposed significant changes to Resolution 4, in proposal USA/9A2/38. That proposal is found in DT/20 Rev.1. There was general support for these proposed changes, but it was agreed that it would be better to SUP the existing Resolution and to adopt the proposed changed text as a new Resolution. Further, it was agreed that the USA would coordinate with concerned countries to prepare a new version, in particular omitting the old considering d which referred to the 1988 ITRs.
The USA has undertaken those consultations and now presents the proposed new Resolution, which differs from the previous version only by deleting considering d.
SUP USA/48/1
RESOLUTION No. 4
The Changing Telecommunication Environment
MOD USA/48/2
DRAFT NEW RESOLUTION
The Changing Telecommunication Environment
The World Conference on International Telecommunications (Dubai, 2012),
recalling
a) Resolution 71 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010), The Strategic Plan for the Union,
This is the original version of what has become the most controversial contribution made to WCIT. It stems from Russia, seemingly from the President's office, and asks from the introduction of a new article to the ITRs encompassing the Internet.
A revised version, produced just a few days later and coming from Russia's ministry of telecoms, toned down the language significantly but the proposals still concern many.
Implications:
The content of the proposed new article would put the United Nations in direct opposition to the existing conglomeration of Internet organizations by enshrining rules regarding the Internet into an international telecoms treaty.
This involvement in Internet governance is exactly what campaigners against the WCIT conference had been voicing concerns over, and the ITU's Secretary-General had, prior to the late arrival of this contribution, tried to assure everyone that there was no suggestion that WCIT would directly involve itself in Internet governance.
A key trend in the development of today’s information society is the steady growth in the role of the Internet.
The Internet’s developmental impact on society affects people’s way of life, their education and work, as well as the interaction of government and civil society. The Internet is rapidly becoming a vitally important driver of global economic development. It also allows individuals, companies and business communities to find more effective and creative solutions to economic and social problems.
The Internet has an impact on every aspect of human activity within society – political, economic, social and spiritual.
In politics, the Internet is a powerful tool for implementing a State’s domestic policy, and is behind concepts such as e-government, digital media and virtual political parties. It also helps to increase the political participation of citizens in national governance.
The Internet is an important factor in the development of a modern economy, and is actively used in business through such means as e-commerce, e-banking, electronic payments and Internet advertising, among others.
Last-minute WCIT submission fuels fears of UN control efforts
Contribution 27 saw Russia propose exactly what people feared. It softened the wording days later following an outcry.
With sad inevitability, fears that the WCIT conference was always going to be about surreptitious efforts by the ITU and some countries (read Russia, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia) to take over the Internet came true last week.
Ten days had passed since the official cut-off date for contributions when Russia sent its contribution, now numbered 27. In it, the Russian government asked for a whole new article to be added, and introduced it with a long creed about the importance of the Internet.
"The Internet has an impact on every aspect of human activity within society," it reads before extolling its virtues with regard to education, politics, business and everything in between.
Contribution 27 saw Russia propose exactly what people feared. It softened the wording days later following an outcry.
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