[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30518-30519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11609]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 160509408-6408-01]
RIN 0660-XC026


Input on Proposals and Positions for 2016 World Telecommunication 
Standardization Assembly

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) seeks input from stakeholders and interested parties to help 
develop its proposals and positions regarding matters that will be 
addressed at the upcoming 2016 World Telecommunication Standardization 
Assembly (WTSA-2016) of the International Telecommunication Union 
(ITU), being held from October 25 to November 3, 2016. The results of 
this Notice and Request for Public Comment will be reflected in NTIA's 
recommendations for U.S. proposals and positions to the U.S. Department 
of State, which is coordinating the WTSA-2016 preparatory process.

DATES: Comments are due on or before June 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by mail to Vernita D. 
Harris, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of International 
Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4701, Washington, DC 20230. Comments 
may also be submitted electronically to [email protected] or to 
[email protected]. Comments provided electronically should be 
submitted in a text searchable format using standard Microsoft Word or 
Adobe PDF. Comments will be posted to NTIA's Web site at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/wtsa16-rfc-comments.

[[Page 30519]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this Notice 
contact: Vernita D. Harris, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of 
International Affairs, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Room 4701, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4686; email: 
[email protected]. Please direct media inquiries to the Office of 
Public Affairs, NTIA, at (202) 482-7002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The WTSA, which occurs every four years, sets the 
overall strategic direction and activities for upcoming ITU 
Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) work; defines the 
general policy for the ITU-T; approves, modifies or rejects ITU-T 
Standards (known as ``recommendations''); and establishes the structure 
for the ITU-T study groups, approves their expected work program for 
the next four-year period, and appoints their Chairmen and Vice-
Chairmen. The next WTSA conference will be held from October 25 to 
November 3, 2016, in Yasmine Hammamet, Tunisia. Participants 
historically include ministers, ambassadors, government delegates, 
regional and international organizations, and representatives from 
academia, civil society, and the private sector.
    The U.S. Department of State initiated U.S. preparations for WTSA-
2016 in January 2016, which are focused on developing formal U.S. 
priorities for WTSA-2016.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Department of State, Notice of Meeting of the 
International Telecommunication Advisory Committee and Preparations 
for Upcoming International Communications and Information Policy 
Meetings, Public Notice: 9399, 81 FR 847 (Jan. 7, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NTIA, as the principal adviser to the President on 
telecommunications and information policy, seeks input from 
stakeholders and other interested parties to develop its 
recommendations to the U.S. Department of State and to inform any NTIA 
delegates who will attend the WTSA. NTIA's participation in the U.S. 
WTSA-2016 preparatory process is intended to ensure that U.S. proposals 
and positions support the nation's telecommunications, converged 
communications infrastructure, information and technology policies to 
promote economic growth and digital innovation, and do not duplicate 
the standards development processes of other bodies.
    Discussion: There are numerous standards organizations and fora 
around the globe focused on various aspects of telecommunication and 
information policies. No single organization can cover all ground, nor 
should it try or claim to do so.
    The purpose of this Notice and Request for Public Comment is to 
seek input from stakeholders and other interested parties to share 
their perspectives as to whether and how the work of the ITU-T results 
in standards that meet their needs. We are interested in particular on 
input related to ITU-T restructuring and work methods and rules of 
procedure.

Questions for Public Comment

    NTIA requests comment on the questions below. NTIA also welcomes 
input and comments on any specific issues being advanced by other 
countries, private sector organizations, and stakeholders for WTSA-
2016.
    (1) Are there overarching objectives and priorities that the U.S. 
delegation should adopt for WTSA-2016 and the ITU-T? What is the best 
way for the U.S. delegation to advance and ultimately achieve these 
objectives and priorities?
    (2) In an environment with a wide range of industry led, 
multistakeholder standards development organization (SDOs) leading the 
development of telecommunications and information standards, does an 
intergovernmental organization, such as the ITU, provide any unique 
value? How does ITU involvement in global standards development 
influence, or affect U.S. industry interests in engaging in and 
promoting the international digital economy?
    (3) What do you believe is the percentage of participation of 
relevant organizations or companies in the ITU-T study groups? What is 
the value of this participation in the ITU-T study groups? Does this 
participation meeting the needs of relevant organizations or companies?
    (4) Is there a wide implementation of the ITU-T recommendations in 
the United States or elsewhere by relevant organizations or companies? 
Why or why not? Can you provide examples of these implementations, if 
any?
    (5) The WTSA-12 Action Plan (see https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/WTSA16/WTSA-12-Action-Plan.pdf) identified issues that will be 
discussed during WTSA-2016. Which of these issues are the most 
important to focus on in the upcoming WTSA-2016? What positions should 
be taken with respect to these issues?
    (6) Are the ITU-T work methods and/or rules of procedure effective? 
Why or why not? What, if any, modifications to ITU-T Resolutions and 
Recommendations (see https://www.ntia.doc.gov/page/wtsa-12-resolutions-and-opinions) or to the ITU-T working methods or rules of procedure 
would you recommend to improve efficiency and effectiveness? Are there 
structural changes to the ITU-T that could make the organization more 
relevant?
    (7) What are the most important international standardization 
public policy issues and topics? And why? In what areas or subjects do 
you believe the ITU-T has a particular role or expertise?
    (8) Assuming the ITU-T study group structure remains as it is 
today, in which study groups and activities should NTIA prioritize its 
participation and why?
    (9) How could cooperation and collaboration between ITU-T and other 
SDOs be strengthened? How could cooperation and collaboration among the 
three ITU sectors be strengthened?
    (10) The ITU and its membership have identified a standardization 
gap between developed and developing countries and a need to bridge 
that gap to ensure greater participation by all countries in the work 
of the ITU-T. What is the best way to address this gap? Would ITU 
programs on this topic be better placed within the ITU-D or the ITU-T? 
What other steps can be taken to bridge this gap?
    NTIA invites comment on the questions set forth in this Notice and 
Request for Public Comment as well as input on any other issues 
relevant to NTIA's participation in the ITU-T that will assist NTIA in 
its consultations with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. 
government agencies in preparation for WTSA-2016.

    Dated: May 12, 2016.
Lawrence E. Strickling,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 2016-11609 Filed 5-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-60-P