The Essential Report on IP Telephony - ITU

PREFACE<strong>The</strong> possibility of transmitting voice over IP-based networks, with all the challenges and associatedopportunities, such as voice and data integration, constitutes a milestone in the convergence of the ICTsector. <strong>The</strong> "IP telephony" topic has been taboo for both its supporters and its opponents, two campsthat are highly divided. After due consultation with the Directors of the ITU TelecommunicationStandardization Bureau and the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, BDT undertook to put the issue onthe table for discussion in accordance with the terms of Opinion D Part 3 (see Annex O) adopted bythe third World Telecommunication Policy Forum (Geneva, 7-9 March 2001).Considering that important technical, socio-economic and policy issues need to be addressed bydeveloping countries in order to introduce IP telephony, WTPF-01 invited ITU-D to prepare a reportto the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-02) in order for this conference totake the necessary action.I established the relevant Group of Experts to carry out the defined tasks in order to facilitate theintroduction of IP telephony, including inter-operability considerations and implications, whenimplementing IP telephony in association with the existing circuit-switched national and internationaltelecommunication networks in developing countries.Today, we are pleased that the two camps are getting closer, and many difficult questions have beenraised and answered. BDT's roles of catalyst and as a vehicle for information dissemination areessential to address issues of this nature, and we will continue to do so in the future.In response to the need to provide administrations of developing countries with guidance on strategiesto facilitate the introduction of IP telephony, the "<strong>Essential</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on IP Telephony" was prepared bythe Group of Experts from both developing and developed countries, Member States of ITU andITU-D Sector Members, chaired by Mr Nabil Kisrawi.<strong>The</strong> work of the Group of Experts on IP Telephony has already generated interest within the regularstudies and technical assistance of BDT concerning the use and management of IP-based networks indeveloping countries. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Nabil Kisrawi for hisinvaluable support and initiatives taken over the past months that have enabled us to overcome majorobstacles. I also wish to thank all the experts and their respective administrations and companies fortheir fruitful contributions.Hamadoun I. TouréDirectorTelecommunication Development BureauPrefaceiii