- Conformance and interoperability
- Bridging the standardization gap
- English
- Joseph Mungai
- Abel Mandlate
- Jonathan Mwakijele
- Ghazi Mabrouk
Introductory
Event organizer(s)
Supported by
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to ICT standards and interoperability within ICT systems. Participants will gain an understanding of the organizations responsible for establishing these standards, as well as the national authorities that enforce them. The course will guide participants in self-monitoring practices to ensure compliance with both industry and regulatory standards. Additionally, it will cover the penalties associated with non-compliance and clarify the distinct roles of various stakeholders in the field. Finally, the course includes an assessment of licensing cases based on predefined standards, equipping participants with the tools needed for informed decision-making in this area.
With the generous support of the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, this course is offered for free for selected participants.
This course is intended for:
- ICT/Telecom Regulators, Operators (Telecom/Broadcasters) and policymakers engaged in digital transformation efforts worldwide.
- Managers responsible for taking decisions on information systems acquisitions like (IT, switching, and billing).
- Technical staff members working in technical jobs (IT, switching, transmission).
Members of the above-mentioned target population are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and have basic understanding of information & communications technology concepts.
- Possess a fluent level of English.
- Complete the application questionnaire and attach an up-to-date CV.
- Prior experience or involvement in digital projects or initiatives is beneficial but not required.
- Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the ICT standards and how they are formulated.
- Clarify how national and international standards are set.
- Explain the elements involved in a telecommunication process in terms of structure and services.
- Discuss the role of regulations and the reason why all players are expected to conform.
- Examine ICT systems and their interoperability.
- Define key terms such as interconnection tariffs or interoperability between mobile wallets of different operators.
This course will include:
- Weekly interactive live lectures;
- Mandatory (weekly) contributions to forum discussions for each Module’s topics;
- Quizzes after each module;
- Use of Computer simulation connected to the real- world matters and visit a switching, commercial, IT departments of a telecom company to have good grasp of real-life applications of the subject matter.
The schedule of the live lectures is below:
- Week 1
- Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
- Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
- Week 2
- Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
- Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
- Week 3
- Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
- Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
- Week 4
- Monday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
- Wednesday: Live lecture from 1400-1600 CET
The course grading is distributed as follows:
- 4 quizzes: 40%
- 4 discussion forums: 40%
- End of course assignment: 20%
Week 1
- Sessions:
- Introduction: ICTs and Standards, including the ITU Conformance and Interoperability Programme.
- Communication elements (revision): definitions, characteristics, and examples.
- Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).
- Standards overview.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Gain a general overview of ICTs, including key elements and technologies.
- Develop foundational knowledge and a global perspective on standards.
- Understand the purpose of standards and the ability to set and enforce them.
- Activities:
- Live lectures.
- Forum Discussion 1.
- Quiz 1.
Week 2
- Sessions:
- Introduction to standardization and the role of standards.
- Formulating and setting standards.
- Compliance and conformity to set standards.
- Standardization in telecommunications.
- Managing nonconformity and enforcement.
- Identifying stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the principles of standard formulation and enforcement.
- Identify key stakeholders and regulatory authorities in standardization.
- Discuss the implications of compliance and noncompliance.
- Activities:
- Live lectures.
- Forum Discussion 2.
- Quiz 2.
Week 3
- Sessions:
- The law governing standards and the role of regulators.
- Overview of various systems (human body, machine, car, computer).
- Introduction to Information Systems.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Understand local and international laws related to standards.
- Identify regulatory bodies for national and international standardization.
- Explore the interrelationship between stakeholders.
- Gain an introductory understanding of Information Systems and their components.
- Activities:
- Live lectures.
- Forum Discussion 3.
- Quiz 3.
Week 4
- Sessions:
- Information systems integration.
- Systems interoperability.
- Optional: Computer simulation or telecom visit.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Grasp the concepts of systems integration and interoperability.
- Understand how systems work together in practice.
- Activities:
- Live lectures.
- Forum Discussion 4.
- Quiz 4.
End of Course
- Trainee and Trainer Evaluation:
- Purpose: Evaluate understanding of course material and the effectiveness of delivery.
- Activity: End-of-course assignment submission.
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.