Happy Holidays! The Secretariat of CITEL is sending this message to wish you very happy holidays and to convey its sincere desire that 2006 bring you both prosperity and good fortune. A number of important events in the sector of telecommunications are scheduled for 2006 and we trust that they will be crowned with success. Our destiny lies in our own hands. Let us, therefore, seize the opportunities that come our way.
 

Please find below the program of activities of CITEL for 2006 as was approved at the XVI Meeting of COM/CITEL (Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 6 to 9, 2005).

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As was informed in previous opportunities, in view of the kind invitation of the Government of Costa Rica, the  Fourth Regular Meeting of the CITEL Assembly, will be held February 20-23, 2006, in San José, Costa Rica. You can download the draft agenda and calendar at this time.

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By María del Pilar Ferro, Ana María Lojkasek, C.A.R.E.
The application of new Information and Communications Technologies (ICT’s) in the field of people with special needs (people having any physical, sensorial, mental or visceral disability) plays a key role since, in many cases, the use of these new resources constitutes a necessary condition for these people to have access to education, work, communication or even leisure. In other words, there is no doubt that ICT’s do improve their quality of life by providing them with equal opportunities for their integration into society.

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By Robert Hanson, Vice President Maritime Telecommunications Networks, Inc.
More than 30 years ago the first stabilized satellite antenna system provided broadband voice, data and video service for the ship monitoring the landing of an Apollo space capsule in the Pacific Ocean.  After several years of developing specialized systems, less-expensive and more reliable technology became available; leading to the first commercial installation of an ESV about 15 years ago on a cruise ship.  As the technology progressed and more ESVs were installed, it became clear that there was a need for technical requirements and a regulatory framework for ESVs to ensure the protection of co-frequency stations in the Fixed Service (FS) and the protection of adjacent satellites in the Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS).

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By Carlos Cancelli, Secretariat of Communications
In May 2003, the Administration of Argentina began reviewing its policy for the introduction of digital terrestrial television (DTT), defining a strategy aimed at providing the national scientific and technological sector with the opportunity to generate solutions that would contemplate the development of local industry, respond to the need to create productive employment and contribute to greater social equity.

The approach adopted is based on an understanding that DTT is not only the technical development of the current television but also that it constitutes a new and formidable communication “system” based on digital technology for the transmission of signals, whose correct introduction may afford the aforesaid benefits.

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By Erick Huerta (National Commission for the
Development of Indigenous Peoples ), Roxana Bustos (ITU-D)
The First Indigenous Workshop on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) was held as part of a regional initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Government of Mexico, through its Secretariat of Communications and Transport (SCT) and the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples (CDI), at Mexico City’s Palacio Postal, November 28-30, 2005, to facilitate and promote the implementation of ICTs among the indigenous communities of the Americas.  One hundred and fifty individuals, including indigenous representatives from 19 American and Caribbean countries, participated in this event.

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By National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL)
In September of this year, the Brazilian Government authorized the introduction of the digital technology for the sound broadcasting service. In that sense, Anatel granted the firsts authorization for operational tests involving digital sound broadcasting systems for FM and MW stations.

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By Oscar A. Messano
On November 18, 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) came to an end, in Tunis.  It was the culmination of a long three-year process in which barriers of various types–geopolitical, political, and technological, and others–had to be overcome to reach a consensus on the 67 points in the WSIS “Declaration of Principles,” which then gave rise to the “Agenda.”

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By Carol Dolinkas, Coordinator Human Resources Development, CITEL
The Member States at the XVI meeting of the Permanent Executive Committee of CITEL, COM/CITEL, highlighted that ongoing training of human resources in the sector is fundamental for the economic development of countries in order facilitate the introduction of advanced technologies in the context of the continuous development of telecommunications.

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On Monday, December 12, 2005, at the premises of the National Telecommunication Commission (CONATEL), the 40th Open Assignment Mechanism of the 40th Universal Telecommunication Service Obligation was launched. The purpose of this obligation is to promote telecommunications in unserved villages in the country located in the states of Amazonas, Carabobo, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro, Lara, Cojedes, the Capital District, Sucre, Monagas, and Zulia, and is in response to all applications submitted by organized communities nationwide.

Alvin Lezama, Director General of CONATEL, stated: “This obligation is of vital importance, as the applications are made by the communities, thereby becoming enablers of development.  Thus far, we have 600 applications.  This model provides for shared responsibility by CONATEL, the telecommunication sector, and the community, and constitutes an essential tool for the development of society.” (CONATEL, 12 December 2005)

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The National Telecommunication Agency (Anatel) published in the Diário Oficial da União (DOU) a public consultation on the proposed new call for bids for the award of licenses for use of blocs of frequencies in the 3.5 GHz and 10.5 GHz bands. The text of the consultation is available via the Agency’s portal at www.anatel.gov.br .(ANATEL, 9 December 2005)

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The National Telecommunication Agency (Anatel) called for contributions, suggestions, and comments to be forwarded in connection with Public Consultation No. 655, on the proposed changes to the Basic FM Broadcasting Channel Distribution Plan (PBFM).(ANATEL, 9 December 2005)

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Public service licenses in the 896-900 MHz and 935-939 MHz frequency bands may be utilized to manage passenger or freight transport vehicle fleets. The closing date for bids will be January 27, 2006.  (SUBTEL, 6 December 2005)

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At its 374th meeting, the Governing Council of the National Telecommunication Agency (Anatel) approved the new Fixed Switched Telephony Regulations (STFC). This document sets out the general rules for the provision of fixed telephony service, expands and consolidates users’ rights, imposes additional obligations on providers, addresses types of service provision, and contains new rules for telephony modernization. (ANATEL, 6 December 2005)

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On Monday, December 5, 2005, the National Telecommunication Commission (CONATEL) held a public hearing on the draft Administrative Provision on Categories of Telecommunication Equipment Subject to Homologation and Certification. (CONATEL, 5 December 2005)

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The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) is pleased to announce the launch of 600,000 new GSM technology cellular phone lines. Sale by authorized external distributors nationwide began on Monday, December 5, 2005, at 7:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, December 6, 2005, at the ICE agencies. (ICE, 3 December 2005)

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With the aim of covering unserved or underserved areas, MTC has published a proposal to promote the establishment nationwide of small operators, the “independent operators,” which will be permitted to apply to any fixed or mobile telephony operator for telephone lines in order to install – for direct exploitation by the independents –  public or subscriber telephones. (Ministry of Transport and Communications, 29 November 2005)

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An amendment was published today in the Diario Oficial, to come into force in six months at the earliest, to increase to 80 million the number combinations available for assignment to new subscribers.Mobile-to-mobile calls will be dialed in the usual way.  The numbers of current subscribers will remain unchanged.  (SUBTEL, 21 November 2005)

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Chile will install a “mirror” of one of world’s largest Internet servers.  According to the Under Secretariat of Telecommunications, the system will be implemented by Nic-Chile thanks to an agreement with LACNIC, which allocates Internet numbering for Latin America. (SUBTEL, 18 November 2005)

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Unless otherwise indicated, the materials published on this web site, including opinions expressed therein, are the responsibility of the individual authors/compilers and not those of the Organization of American States (“OAS”), GS/OAS, CITEL and the OAS Member States or its member countries.

Program of CITEL activities for 2006
Preparation for the IV Assembly of CITEL
Enhancing Skills and Abilities
Earth Stations On Board Vessels: Where are they now?
Digital Terrestrial Television - Status in the Republic of Argentina
First Indigenous Workshop on Information and Communication Technologies
Digital Sound Broadcasting in Brazil
World Summit on the Information Society
Preliminar program of CITEL fellowships for telecommunication courses in 2006