New UN measures to help consumers with technology purchasing decisions

The United Nations telecom agency is set to introduce measures that will help consumers know if the information and communications technology (ICT) equipment they are buying will work with other devices.

The new conformity and inter-operability programme by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will support much more informed purchasing decisions for end users, be they companies or consumers, the agency stated in a news release. It also has the potential to widen markets, increase competition and decrease costs.

A key element of the programme is a global database that buyers can consult, without cost, to check whether a product conforms to ITU standards, or will work with other network elements.

According to the ITU, lack of conformity and inter-operability of ICT equipment is a major concern, especially in developing countries.

“A dizzying array of similar products can sometimes make purchasing decisions difficult,” noted Malcolm Johnson, Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “Inter-operability is at the heart of what ITU does, so we have put in place procedures that will greatly assist those faced with often complex buying decisions.”

Mr. Johnson added that the programme will significantly reduce the problems that telephone companies, ICT service providers, businesses and consumers face.

“I believe this initiative is of great significance in our efforts to bridge the digital divide, but will be equally beneficial to those in the developed world,” he stated.

The new programme, which will be voluntary and open to ITU members and non-members alike, will also focus on skills training and the development of regional testing centres for developing countries.

As part of the initiative, ITU will organize a series of inter-operability events that will allow two or more vendors to get together to verify that their equipment inter-operates satisfactorily. An interoperability declaration can then be added to the database.

The agency will also hold regional workshops and tutorials on conformity assessment and inter-operability.