Policies of APT for 1997-1999

Policies of APT

The following broad policies have been adopted for fulfillment of the objectives of the APT during 1997-1999.

Liberalisation

to promote:

further liberalisation of the telecommunications sector keeping in view the developments in multimedia, convergence of technologies and emergence of information society;
flexible policy and regulatory environment;
encouragement of private sector participation and initiative in the telecommunications sector;
telecom support to trade sector and to follow up consolidation of WTO related agreements.

Asia Pacific Information Infrastructure

to promote:

development of Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure (AII);
application of telecommunication and information technology in various sectors such as agriculture, health, education, tourism, banking, transport, cultural activities, environment protection, etc.;
coordination and caucusing of the views of the APT Members on various issues of interest to APT members - such as universal service, interoperability, interconnection, tariff, standards, intellectual property right, trade and investment related issues, etc.

Frequency Co-ordination

to facilitate:

smooth frequency coordination at national, inter-regional and intra-regional level and use of efficient management techniques.

Enhancement of Level of Participation

to enhance level of participation in appropriate APT meetings and seminars;
where called for, APT should seek to convene meetings of Heads/Executives of Telecommunications of APT Member Administrations, Associate Members and Affiliate Members to discuss specified policy issues of the region in the fast changing telecommunication environment

Advanced Networks

to promote:

enhancement of networks;
Internet uses in the APT region;
introduction, absorption and application of new technology such as satellite based personal communication systems.

Standards

to encourage:

harmonisation of regional standards based on global standards;
establishment of type approval and acceptance testing procedures and acceptance of authentic test results.

Technology Transfer

to promote:

transfer of technology among the Member Administrations of APT;
active participation of private sector and industry in APT technology transfer programmes.

Research & Development

to promote:

Infrastructure Development

to facilitate:

the augmentation of telecommunication infrastructure in the countries of the region by planning and implementing regional, sub-regional and national projects as appropriate;
institutional development in the member countries of APT and to utilise the expertise available within the region for self sustaining growth in telecommunication;
exchange of information on various financing options for development of telecommunications.

Rural and Remote Communications

to promote:

facilitation of telecommunications development in rural and remote areas;
assistance in telecommunications projects for poverty alleviation at national, sub-regional and regional levels.

Human Resource Development

to promote:

creation and application of a national HRD policy for telecommunication sector;
development of human resources particularly in the field of advanced technologies, regulatory areas, modern management practices, etc.;
optimum utilisation of the regional facilities available for the development of Human Resources in the fields of telecommunications technology, telecommunications policy and regulation and telecommunications management sectors.

Enhancing Inter-regional and Intra-regional Co-operation

to strengthen relationship with various UN agencies, intergovernmental and other organisations concerned with the development of telecommunications in the Asia-Pacific region such as ESCAP, ITU, UNDP, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNCTAD, WTO, ADB, WORLD BANK, APEC;
to take initiative for developing intra-regional and inter-regional cooperation for the development of telecommunications and for promoting harmonisation of regional views on matters of concern to the Membership of APT.

Telecom Working Groups

to promote:

organization of meetings of High Level Telecom Working Groups at regular intervals to address various issues concerning policy, technology and development aspects of telecommunications for planning and implementation of Sub-regional and regional projects and for caucusing regional views on global matters;
coordination of various policy initiatives relating to telecommunications, computers and carriage aspects of the broadcasting at the national, sub-regional, intra-regional and inter-regional level.

Representing Views of the Region

to effectively represent the views of the region in international fora such as ESCAP, ITU, UNDP, other UN organisations, WTO, etc., when tasked specially to do so.

In order to derive the maximum benefit of the resources available and the efforts put in, a very close interaction between the APT Secretariat and the Members will be essential. Communication through Internet, on line communication with APT Secretariat. Information exchange through correspondences, Newsletter, Journal, Yearbook should be enhanced, and the Secretariat should take a lead in demonstrating how new technologies and new services can be used with benefit. Telecommunication Working Groups can play an important role in exchange of information on network plans, sub-regional or regional trade blocks and other related developments.
At the national, sub-regional regional levels necessary steps should be taken to channelise and effectively utilise the enthusiasm of private sector by encouraging interaction between governments and other players involved.