Organization of American States

www.oas.org

(E-180/01)
August 23, 2001

OAS TELECOMS AGENCY SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

 

An agreement signed Monday between the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), an agency of the Organization of American States (OAS), and the U.S. based Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA) will spur cooperation on a range of activities including joint projects and publications, seminars, meetings, and training.

The cooperation agreement was signed as delegates from member countries gathered at OAS Headquarters for a three-day CITEL working group meeting.

In his introductory remarks, CITEL Chairman José Pileggi described the agreement as an important point of support for activities to be carried out by CITEL through its working groups. He said the agreement would also enable both institutions to pursue activities of mutual interest.

Executive Secretary Clovis Baptista signed on behalf of CITEL.

Signing for TIA, Senior Vice President Dan Bart noted that his Association was gratified at this opportunity to increase its cooperation with CITEL. He added: "The world needs global standards and we are happy to work with TIA/CITEL to help develop those standards."

CITEL and TIA plan to cooperate as well on a conference to include participation by the International Telecommunication Union among other regional telecommunications organizations as well as the private sector. The goal of the conference is to enhance regional coordination of policy and regulatory initiatives to stimulate commercial and business relationships in telecommunications that will lead to network modernization and infrastructure deployment.

The main areas of cooperation include activities involving CITEL's Permanent Consultative Committee I, on Public Telecommunications Services, as well as Permanent Consultative Committee III, on Radiocommunications.

TIA standardization activities include mobile and fixed communications for land-based and satellite systems; user premises telephone equipment and requirements; fiber-optic systems and equipment; and voice and data transmission equipment, interfaces and systems, among others.

CITEL is an entity of the OAS, established by the OAS General Assembly to facilitate and promote the continuing development of telecommunications in the hemisphere. It serves as the Organization's principal advisory body on matters related to telecommunications More information on CITEL http://www.citel.oas.org/

TIA is the leading trade association serving the communications and information technology industry, with proven strengths in market development, trade shows, domestic and international advocacy, standards development and enabling e-business. Through its worldwide activities, the association facilitates business development opportunities and a competitive market environment. The association provides a market-focused forum for its more than 1,100 member companies that manufacture or supply the products and services used in global communications. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), and can be reached online at http://www.tiaonline.org.

 

 

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