ICT Adoption and Prospects in The Arab Region

This report has been prepared as a background document for the ITU Connect Arab Summit, which takes place in Doha, Qatar from 5 to 7 March 2012. The main objective of the report is to provide an overview of the deployment and adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Arab region, and to carry out a needs assessment that will help policy makers in the Arab States to identify key ICT areas that require future action. The report in particular focuses on the ICT issues identified by the Arab States regional initiatives adopted by the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10), such as broadband access, digital broadcasting, opensource software, Arabic digital content and cybersecurity

This section presents an overview of the regulatory status, information and communication technology (ICT) deployment and adoption of ICT services in the Arab States region.1 The Arab region is a rapidly developing region in terms of ICTs and characterized particularly by strong growth in the area of mobile telephony over the last five years. The move towards commercially available 3G networks in almost all countries of the region has driven the number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions and helped bring more people online. ITU estimates that by the end of 2011, around 30 per cent of the population in the Arab States were using the Internet. Compared to mobile-cellular services (and in comparison to other regions) both fixed-telephone and fixed (wired)-broadband penetration rates in the region remain relatively low. The penetration for fixed-telephone subscriptions reached ten per cent at its highest and has been declining since 2008. The number of fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions has grown from one million in 2006, to an estimated eight million in 2011, but penetration remains relatively low, at 2.2 per cent

In order to understand ICT developments within the Arab region, it is important to distinguish between ICT adoption and network deployments between the high-income GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries on the one hand, and the non-GCC countries, on the other hand. Due to ample oil reserves, GCC countries have higher income levels, which tends to translate into higher ICT adoption, stronger and wider network coverage and early migration to Next Generation Access Networks (NGANs). Chart 2 presents the 2010 GDP per capita in the Arab countries, with the six GCC countries ranking at the top, and GDP per capita levels above 15’000 USD. Qatar, with a GDP per capita of more than 61’000 USD has the highest income level in the region. Income levels in the non-GCC countries range from below 1’000 USD per capita in Comoros, to just under 10’000 USD in Libya, which also heavily relies on oil reserves. Despite a relatively high income level, Libya’s ICT networks, projects and adoption have remained substandard in rela ion to its peers (in terms of national income), mainly due to a political environment in which the ICT market has been dominated by a state-owned monopoly, except for mobile-cellular (voice) services, where two state-owned operators are competing with each other.

An overview of the regulatory landscape of key telecommunication services in the Arab States, demonstrates that there are important differences among countries in terms of the liberalization of services, as well as in the number of service providers operating each service. The most liberalized ICT services sector in the region is the mobile-cellular market, where Comoros and Djibouti remain the only two countries with only one mobile-cellular operator. In both Libya and Lebanon, two operators are competing, but both operators are government-owned.

ICT Adoption and Prospects in The Arab Region. International Telecommunication Union. 2012

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Ground-breaking cyber drill takes place in South East Asia

ITU. Geneva, 2 December 2011 – United Nations’ specialized agency the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) yesterday held the world’s first cross border drill exercise by an international organization and a United Nations agency.

The inaugural cyber-drill was launched by ITU-IMPACT ALERT (Applied Learning for Emergency Response Team), and comprised a simulated cyber attack response linking the Computer Emergency Response Team/Computer Incident Response Teams (CERT/CIRT) of Cambodia, Lao P.D.R., Myanmar and Viet Nam (the CLMV countries) with executing experts from ITU-IMPACT. The one-day drill was held in conjunction with the ITU-ASEAN Sub-regional CSIRT/CIRT/CERT Workshop for CLMV countries in Yangon, Myanmar.

IMPACT, the cybersecurity executing arm of ITU, is the largest cybersecurity alliance of its kind in the world, with 137 partner countries now formally part of the ITU-IMPACT coalition, and with strong support from global industry giants, partners from academia and international organizations.

The cyber drill was a simulated and coordinated exercise to assess the cybersecurity emergency readiness of CLMV countries and their incident response capabilities in mitigating and countering cyberattacks. The exercise helped build greater international cooperation between participating countries, and improved their communication and mitigation processes. It was also unique in that it was deliberately designed to involve countries with differing developing status – one rapidly growing developing country (Viet Nam) and three UN-designated Least Developed Countries – Cambodia, Lao P.D.R and Myanmar. That meant that the exercise was able to take into account the real-life constraints faced by many economies in the developing world.

An important aspect of the drill was the involvement of countries at the regional level. “Cyberattacks are borderless, so it is vital for every CERT/CIRT to share information and experience on cross-border incident handling, in order to refine and test points of contact and procedures, to enhance the effectiveness of their response to active cyberthreats”, said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré.

The drill involved a team from each of the four CLMV countries. Drill scenarios involved three cybersecurity emergency incidents: mass web defacement, spam and malware infection. Teams were required to identify the origin of the attacks, identify possible solutions and mitigation steps, and rectify the defacement and/or outbreak. All events and incidents were simulated – no live systems were attacked.

Each participating country team was divided into two roles, representing ‘player’ and ‘observer’. The player executed the incident handling process, analyzed the threats and mitigated the simulated attacks, while the observer executed the communication roles and assisted the player to mitigate the simulated attacks.

The drill scenarios were created by experts from ITU-IMPACT, F-Secure and Trend Micro. Though competitors in the outside world, ITU’s long-standing tradition of public-private partnership provided a unique platform for these partners to come together for the good of the global community to enhance readiness to combat cyberthreats.

The drill was conducted as a ‘no-fault’ exercise. The aim was not to criticize capabilities or a particular network, system or infrastructure, but rather to emphasize the need for continuous communication channels between neighbouring countries, as well as enhancing each country’s incident response capabilities.

“The ITU-IMPACT ALERT achieved several positive outcomes including identification of readiness of each country’s CERTs/CIRTs Team, establishing the need for proper contingency plans, improving the familiarity with tools and other related software and communicating the importance of maintaining logs and having adequately trained personnel in place to handle cyberthreats,” said Datuk Mohd Noor Amin, Chairman of IMPACT. “This was a great opportunity for countries to put their contingency strategies to the test. This cyber drill serves as the prototype for upcoming larger global exercises being designed for 2012,” he added.

The 2011 ‘ITU-IMPACT ALERT’ was sponsored by ABI research, with technical assistance provided by Trend Micro and F-Secure. 

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Approval of new recommendations by the Study Group Optical transport networks and access network infrastructures.Telecommunication Standardization Bureau,ITU

Ref: TSB Circular 203 COM 15/GJ.At the request of the Chairman of Study Group 15, Optical transport networks and access network infrastructures, I have the honour to inform you that this Study Group, which will meet from 5 to 16 December 2011, intends to apply the procedure described in Resolution 1, Section 9, of WTSA (Johannesburg, 2008) for the approval of the new Recommendations.

Draft new Recommendation ITU-T G.9980 (ex. G.cwmp), Remote management of CPE over broadband networks – CPE WAN Management Protocol (CWMP). COM 15 – R 20This Recommendation defines requirements for the remote management of networked devices, by a service provider, in a consumer’s home. It provides an overview of and the necessary normative references to a family of technical specifications. It describes how the various technical specifications in this family are related. A glossary of the terms and definitions used in the technical specifications is included in clauses 3 and 4.

Draft new Recommendation ITU-T G.9955 (ex. G.hnem), Narrowband OFDM Power Line Communication Transceivers – Physical Layer Specification. COM 15 – R 21
This Recommendation contains the physical layer specification for narrowband OFDM power line communications transceivers for communications via alternating current and direct current electric power lines over frequencies below 500 kHz. This Recommendation supports indoor and outdoor communications over low voltage lines, medium voltage lines, through transformer low-voltage to medium-voltage and through transformer medium-voltage to low-voltage power lines in both urban and in long distance rural communications. This Recommendation addresses grid to utility meter applications, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and other Smart Grid applications such as electric vehicle to charging station, home automation, and home area networking (HAN) communications scenarios.

Draft new Recommendation ITU-T G.8113.1 (ex. G.tpoam, G.mplstpoam), Operations, Administration and Maintenance mechanism for MPLS-TP in Packet Transport Network (PTN) COM 15 – R 22Recommendation ITU-T G.8113.1 specifies mechanisms for user-plane Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) in MPLS-TP networks to meet the MPLS-TP OAM requirements defined in [IETF RFC 5860]. It also specifies the MPLS-TP OAM packet formats, syntax and semantics of MPLS-TP OAM packet fields.

TSB Circular 203 COM 15/GJ

+41 22 730 6356
+41 22 730 5853
E-mail: tsbsg15@itu.int

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UN telecoms agency urges use of technology to tackle climate change

UN.NEWS.25 Nov. 11. The nited Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU) said today that it will, with partners, urge delegates at the UN climate change conference in South Africa next week to harness the power of information and communication technology to promote measures to mitigate and adapt to global warming.

Modern advanced technologies can transform social, industrial and business processes to effect the changes needed to achieve environmental sustainability, ITU said in a statement ahead of the 17th Conference of Parties (COP 17) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which opens in the South African city of Durban on Monday.

While the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to make a real difference is widely recognized by the technology community and government ICT ministries, it is still far from being understood and embraced by environmental lobby groups and policy-makers, ITU pointed out.

“ITU and its partners will be using COP 17 to promote ICTs as the 21st century’s most valuable problem-solving tools. ITU believes it imperative that they be included as an integral part of global climate change policy,” said the statement.

The UN body and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) have initiated the Global Coalition on ICT and Climate Change to send a coordinated message to the conference in Durban. Organizations in the coalition include the UNFCCC Secretariat, the UN Global Compact, TechAmerica, as well as high-level representatives from the governments of Ghana, South Africa and Egypt.

The coalition’s message is that ICTs, such as smart grids, intelligent transport systems and the ‘Internet of things’ have extraordinary potential to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of other high energy-consuming sectors, and must be included in any meaningful climate change policies at the global, regional and national level.

The coalition will also demonstrate how the ICT industry is using technology to reduce its own carbon footprint.

“It is imperative that our massively inter-connected world also becomes a greener, more sustainable world,” said Hamadoun Touré, the ITU Secretary General.

The so-called ‘smart’ technologies can help to bridge the digital divide and improve the lives of millions of people, Dr. Touré said.

“Look at the benefits which can be achieved with intelligent transport systems, or through the digitization of goods, processes and services. We need to move now to take advantage of the powerful tools already in our hands,” he added.

World Radiocommunication Conference opens January 2012

ITU. Geneva, 16 November 2011– The World Radiocommunication Conference will open in Geneva, 23 January - 17 February 2012. The outcome of this international treaty-making conference will have worldwide ramifications in the field of communications.

The 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) will focus on the following:

1. Review and revise the international regulatory framework for radiocommunications –Radio Regulations – to reflect the increasing convergence in radio services arising from the rapid evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT).
2. Management of scarce radio-frequency spectrum to provide new opportunities for radiocommunication services, including those for maritime and aeronautical transport as well as for scientific purposes related to the environment, meteorology and climatology, disaster prediction, mitigation and relief.
3. Management of satellite orbital slots and associated spectrum resources.
4. The introduction of mobile broadband and other advanced technologies, the use of digital dividend resulting from the switch over to digital TV and the development of Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV).

What:	World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12)
When:	23 January – 17 February 2012 (Radiocommunication Assembly, 16-20 January 2012)
Where:	Geneva, CICG Convention Centre
Why:	The World Radiocommunication Conference, held every three to four years, is mandated to review and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. WRC-12 will facilitate the management of scarce orbit/spectrum resources in the interest of end-users, with global implications for both policy-makers and the industry.
Who:	Over 3000 participants from around the world are expected to attend.

Media Information: Deadline for Accreditation: 12 January 2012

Note: UN Press accreditation is valid, but registration is required for WRC-12 access badges.

For more information, please contact:

Sanjay Acharya Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU +41 22 730 5046 +41 79 249 4861 sanjay.acharya@itu.int	Grace Petrin Promotion Officer ITU Radiocommunication Bureau +41 22 730 5810 +41 79 599 1428 brpromo@itu.int
Media accreditation enquiries: Soraya Abino Quintana +41 22 730 5424 pressreg@itu.int

World Radiocommunication Conference opens January 2012

GSMA Energy Efficiency Methodology Incorporated in ITU's New Global Standard

GSMA. 16 November 2011, Mobile Asia Congress, Hong Kong. The GSMA’s Mobile Energy Efficiency Benchmarking methodology has been recognised in a global standard by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The GSMA’s methodology, which benchmarks the energy efficiency of mobile networks, is included in the ITU’s standard ITU-T L.1410 ‘Methodology for Environmental Impact Assessment of ICT Goods, Networks and Services’. The GSMA developed its methodology as part of the Mobile Energy Efficiency (MEE) Network Benchmarking service, launched a year ago at Mobile Asia Congress 2010. MEE has now been adopted by 35 mobile network operators who run more than 200 networks across 145 countries.

“The recognition of our methodology in a global standard is a testament to the outstanding collaboration the GSMA has with its members and other stakeholders such as the ITU and European Commission,” said Gabriel Solomon, Head of Regulatory Policy, GSMA. “We have developed a unique management tool that mobile operators are using to identify energy and carbon saving opportunities.”

           

“We are delighted with the timely outcome of a complex process. The ITU maintains a first-rate working relationship with the GSMA, and many other partners, aimed at achieving a definitive set of methodologies to measure the environmental impact of ICTs,” said Mr. Malcolm Johnson, Director, ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau.

           

To leverage the results of the MEE Benchmarking service, the GSMA has launched a new service, MEE Optimisation, which undertakes a detailed bottom-up analysis to identify and assess the inefficiencies of a network, to then provide operators with a cost-benefit analysis of specific solutions that can be considered to improve network energy efficiency. The MEE Optimisation service develops detailed action plans aimed at reducing operators’ energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, the GSMA partners with third parties such as equipment vendors to deliver the MEE Optimisation service to operators. The GSMA is currently piloting the first MEE Optimisation project and is in discussions with several members about rolling out the service more widely.

           

More information is available at: www.gsmworld.com/mee or contact mee@gsm.org

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress.

For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsmworld.com.

Media Contact:
For the GSMA:
Abigail Faylor
44 (0)2070 670 851afaylor@webershandwick.com

GSMA Press Office press@gsm.org

The "car of the future" on agenda when car makers meet standards makers

How international standards can support the development of "the car of the future" and the intelligent transport systems that will support it will be among the main items on the agenda at the next Fully Networked Car workshop.

The seventh edition of the workshop will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 7-8 March 2012 at the Geneva International Motor Show. The workshop is organized every year at the Geneva show by the World Standards Cooperation (WSC), a partnership comprising the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the International Union of Telecommunication (ITU).

The Fully Networked Car workshop is a unique opportunity for the automotive industry to engage with the three organizations and discuss needs and priorities for international standards in coming years.It will bring together key players involved in the development of technologies and standards, as well as other major industry representatives.

The workshop will provide a forum for strategic discussions between IEC, ISO and ITU in this area to continue. In addition, through a series of roundtable panels and discussions, it will explore a number of related topics, including but not limited to

• Electric vehicles and electromobility
• Regional perspectives on intelligent transport systems (ITS)
• Safety
• ITS communications
• The car of the future.

Related links

• The Fully Networked Car 2012
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
• ITU-T Web site

IDB partners with CANTO to accelerate Broadband Development in Latin America

Seventy–five ICT experts and decision makers including Caribbean Government Ministers, regulators, representatives of regional organizations, operators, suppliers and civil society had open discussions regarding “Accelerating Broadband Development in the Caribbean” during the CANTO-IDB Broadband Forum held at the Hyatt Regency, Miami, on November 7th, 2011.

Placing broadband acceleration at the heart of economic development, featured speaker Amir Dossal of the Broadband Commission ITU, urged CANTO, the leading trade association of the ICT sector in the Caribbean, to continue its pioneering work of fostering collaboration between both the private and public sector to promote growth and economic development in the region. “Facilitating ICT solutions in the Caribbean through innovative partnerships with leading international organizations & private sector (is) the only way to go,” he said.

The Forum organizers, CANTO and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), saw a key outcome of the dialogue being the identification of key initiatives to drive the acceleration of broadband in the region for the public good. Some projects identified included developing broadband specific policies and goals, driving greater usage of the technology by small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and the public in general, creating harmonized solutions for cyber security, creating a baseline map of the present broadband infrastructure, and awareness and training for various groups.

Participants recognized the urgent need to accelerate broadband deployment and adoption in the region to create knowledge-based, smart, digital economies where all citizens have an equal opportunity to participate in the global economy and ultimately improve their quality of life.

Flora Painter, Chief of the Science and Technology Division of the IDB, said that the IDB has a strong mandate to provide Latin America and the Caribbean with technical and other assistance to support accelerating the penetration and usage of broadbandas a critical technology for innovation and as a means to increase productivity, growth and social inclusion, in four main categories: policy, strategic regulation, infrastructure development and capacity building.

Dirk Currie, the Chairman of CANTO, said collaboration with IDB is a key element of CANTO’s mission to connect the Caribbean through ICT, which started in 2008. “CANTO has developed valuable public private partnerships along that journey and we are satisfied that operators, regulators, suppliers, international and regional agencies and governments with whom we dialogue, are all committed to contributing to the positive transformation of the region through broadband,” he said.

The Ministers mandated CANTO and IDB to initially focus on conducting an audit of the broadband infrastructure and regulatory frameworks in the region and developing a proposal for heightening awareness and training of various groups.

The meeting also served as a preliminary caucus for regional stakeholders in preparation for the ITU Summit of the Americas to be held in Panama in 17 to 19 July 2012. ITU, CANTO, CTU and CARICOM have committed to collaborate to identify key projects to highlight at the Summit.

CANTO and IDB have committed to make the Broadband Forum an annual event.

About CANTO

CANTO is recognized as the leading trade association of the ICT sector for shaping information and communication in the Caribbean. Founded in 1985 as a non-profit association of 8 telephone operating companies, CANTO has now grown to over 110 members in more than 32 countries. A Board of Directors appointed by the membership directs policy of the Association. This strategy is executed by the staff of a permanent Secretariat based in Trinidad and Tobago.

IDB. News Releases.Nov 11, 2011