Workshop on “Bridging the Standardization Gap” Facilitates Global ICT Collaboration

New Delhi: The National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF), a premier central training institute under the Ministry of Communications, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretariat in Geneva co-organized a two-day workshop on “Bridging the Standardization Gap (BSG) on Effectiveness in Standardization.” The event, held on February 26th and 27th, 2024 in New Delhi, brought together key stakeholders from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Centre for Development of Telematics (CDoT), Telecom Standards Development Society of India (TSDSI), Telecom Service Providers, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), private telecom companies, manufacturers, and others.

The joint initiative between NICF and ITU aimed to address the standardization challenges in the realm of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and foster global collaboration for more effective, efficient, and affordable ICT technologies, services, and applications. The workshop served as a precursor to the ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), scheduled to be hosted in Delhi from October 14-24, 2024.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Mr. Manish Sinha, Member (Finance), Department of Telecommunications, and Mr. R Shakaya, Senior Adviser, ITU. Mr. Sinha commended the collaboration between NICF and ITU, emphasizing the importance of the workshop as a rare opportunity for participants to enhance their understanding of global ICT standardization efforts. Mr. Shakaya stressed the need for active participation from Member States, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, to ensure comprehensive engagement and contribution to the ITU initiatives.

Ms. Madhavi Das, Director General, NICF, highlighted the significance of capacity building for stakeholders to amplify the voice of the Indian government and industry on the global stage. The workshop comprised four sessions covering various aspects of standardization.

The first session, led by Mr. Robert Clark from ITU, provided an overview of ITU’s activities, structure, and functions, acquainting participants with ICT standardization processes. The second session, guided by the ITU BSG team from Geneva, delved into the new BSG program, featuring interactive quizzes, case studies, and discussions on the stages of writing contributions.

On the second day, the sessions focused on identifying objectives in the standards-making process, making interventions in Study Group meetings, and cultivating leadership in the standards development process. The workshop concluded with an overview of WTSA-24, leaving participants, including industry leaders, appreciative of the insights gained in preparation for the upcoming global event. The workshop provided a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and preparation for India’s role in shaping global ICT standards.