TRA participates in the World Telecommunications Standardization Assembly

The first-ever GSS dealt with major themes beginning with finding ways to Bridge the Standardization Gap between developing and developed countries. Work in this area has been a major focus of the ITU-Telecommunication Standardization Sector in recent years.

The GSS then considered key challenges in the Standardization landscape. These include the desirability of improved coordination between the private sector and governments in charting the landscape of new and emerging technologies and ways to streamline standards development.

WTSA is held every four years to set directions and structures for the telecommunications technical Standards aiming to reduce the standardization gap. The Assembly was attended by more than 700 delegates from 99 countries. More than 100 study papers were submitted and discussed, highlighting modifications and updates to the current standardization, restructuring the working groups to be more efficient and reviewing the outcome of the working groups for the years 2004 - 2008.

The Assembly also defined a policy for telecommunications technical Standards, made decisions on future standardization topics, established working groups and approved their work program for the coming four years.

WTSA revealed in a number of resolutions on ICT and climate change, the deployment of version 6 for IP addresses, the ability of the disabled to access ICT services and encouraging academic participation in ITU's working groups.

Mr. Mohammed Mahmood, said:

"With the dramatic increase of technological convergence and changes; proper standardization should take place to ensure proper communications taking place between callers and receivers, and between different telecommunications networks. TRA's participation in this assembly is based on its belief in the importance of a harmonized approach to standardization for telecommunications technical standards."