The Hindu Business Line : Telecom experts discuss next gen tech, standards

THE group of telecom and technology experts of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity has converged here to work towards standardisation process of next-generation networks and their technologies, including inter-operability concerns, as a part of the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA)-2004.

The Asia Pacific Telecommunity Standardisation Programme (APTSP) seeks to establish regional co-operation and consensus to harmonise the standardisation activity, while enhancing levels of institutional arrangements and towards laying special thrust on security concerns.

The Chairman of Telecom Commission and Secretary, Telecom, Government of India, Mr Nripendra Mishra, said: "There exists a standardisation gap in the information society and this poses a serious challenge because it closely relates to the power of technology and therefore has the potential of creating huge gaps among technology producers and non-producers."

The meeting assumes importance since it comes ahead of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) meeting, wherein a detailed project report on the areas of concerns would be presented.

As a part of the WTSA-2004, the focus is on next-generation networks, broadband standardisation, Internet charging arrangements, Internet domain names, cyber security and reforms in ITU standardisation activities.