Cooperation represents one of the facets of ICP-ANACOM's international work, in particular as regards cooperation with European countries, with South America and the Mediterranean, and with other Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, Brazil and East Timor.
Given the responsibilities underlying ICP-ANACOM's mission with regards to co-operation, there was a clear focus on initiatives of a technical nature, centred primarily on helping to build more open and competitive markets.
Meanwhile, a priority group can be clearly identified as a natural target of ICP-ANACOM's cooperation activities: the NRA of the members of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.
Multilateral cooperation
- Training
A cooperation protocol was signed between ICP-ANACOM, INCM - Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Moçambique (National Communications Institute of Mozambique) and ACIST - Associação Empresarial de Comunicações de Portugal (Association of Sellers and Installers of Telecommunication Systems). The goal of this protocol is to train technicians in the area of information technologies with special focus on new systems suited for the installation of optical fibre in telecommunications infrastructure in buildings and urban developments.
Meanwhile, under the cooperation protocol signed between INA and ICP-ANACOM in 2009, certified training was provided to various technicians and leaders of the CPLP regulators, with a broad and diverse curricular content covering matters that go beyond regulatory activity. Three training courses were completed: the advanced course for the managers of regulators (CADISC) and two advanced courses for technicians in the communications sector (CATESC) on different subjects.
- I Lusophone Forum of Communications
This forum was held alongside the General Assembly of ACTEL-CPLP, in April, in partnership with operators, service providers and other sector entities of the CPLP. It addressed the theme of "The Future of Telecommunications", from a broad perspective of sectorial and functional convergence.
- AICEP - Associação os Operadores de Correios e Telecomunicações dos Países e Territórios de Língua Oficial Portuguesa (Association of Postal and Telecommunications Operators of the Portuguese-speaking Countries and Territories)
In 2010, ICP-ANACOM participated in the Annual General Meeting of AICEP, at which approval was given to the budget, the management plan and an amendment to the statutes, whereby AICEP was renamed Associação Internacional das Comunicações de Expressão Portuguesa (International Association of Portuguese Language Communications). ICP-ANACOM also participated in the XVIII AICEP forum - "Converged and connected".
- CPLP-ARCTEL - Associação de Reguladores de Comunicações e Telecomunicações da CPLP (Association of Communications and Telecommunications Regulators of the CPLP)
The Second ARCTEL General Assembly, held in April, elected the new managing bodies, with Brazil elected to the presidency, Cape Verde to the vice presidency, and Portugal to the secretariat. An amendment was adopted extending the mandates from one to two years and approval was given to the 2010-2011 activities plan, which, in addition to international participations resulting from membership of the ITU Sector, set a range of internal work goals, particularly in the areas of planning, statistics and training.
- Center of Excellence for Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries in Africa (ITU CoE)
Following on from the results of 2009, ICP-ANACOM accompanied the various actions of the ITU CoE, both in terms of their preparation in partnership with the ITU's coordination of the project, and in terms of national coordination, ensuring the participation of experts/trainers for the different activities. In 2010, 11 courses were held on the following topics: (i) Strategic management and marketing management in telecommunications; (ii) Communications security and fraud management; (iii) Project Management; (iv) Approval and certification of equipment; (v) Conflict management; (vi) Quality of service; (vii) Satellite Communications; (viii) Submarine cables; (ix) Digital Terrestrial Television; (x) Interconnection and portability; and (xi) Convergence of networks and services.
As a result, 50 days of training was provided in total to more than 300 technicians; 22 trainers took part, of which nine were from ICP-ANACOM.
- 2010 EaP Conference
ICP-ANACOM participated in a high-level meeting of the Eastern Partnership, jointly organized between the EC and the Austrian regulatory authority (RTR), in which it made a presentation entitled "Regulatory Cooperation -The experience of ICP-ANACOM in BEREC, REGULATEL, EMERG and ARCTEL". This event brought together the managers of European regulatory authorities, promoting the exchange of experience between the regulators of EU Member States and their counterparts from Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
- Postal Regulation - 1st International Postal Regulation Colloquium
In May 2010, ICP-ANACOM participated in the 1st International Postal Regulation Colloquium, organized by the National Postal Agency of Ecuador (ANC) and by Ecuador's Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society (MINTEL), together with the UPAEP - União Postal das Américas, Espanha e Portugal (Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal).
Bilateral cooperation
With regard to the Indicative Cooperation Programmes (CIP) and Annual Cooperation Plans (CAP) in 2010, it was possible to achieve greater synergies with the ITU CoE; this included taking advantage of the presence of ICP-ANACOM monitors at the COE to carry out technical missions.
In 2010, ICP-ANACOM's bilateral relations were also focused on a set of key activities that from a strategic point of view are important in terms of Portugal's relations with third countries within the framework of sector policies. The main actions pursued with other organisations are outlined below.
- Angola (INACOM)
ICP-ANACOM's staff participated in CATESC and CADISC courses, as well as in parallel actions and the mission on legislative sector reforms.
- Brazil (ANATEL)
The 13th meeting of ICP-ANACOM/ANATEL Coordination Commission took place with a broad relationship profile and in a wider framework. Advances were reported at the level of the working group on spectrum management, and it was decided to develop common procedures for the inspection of radio interference and non-ionizing radiation. Procedures were agreed and established for sharing information in the context of preparing for the WRC-12. Additionally, ICP-ANACOM participated in the
REGULATEL-IRG/ANATEL-ANACOM Seminar on universal access to electronic communications and pro-competition regulation, and made two presentations on "Serving people with special needs" and "Functional separation".
- Cape Verde (ANAC)
The protocol signed in 2009 between ICP-ANACOM, UMIC, FCCN and UniCV, on access to the Online Knowledge Library (B-on) and financing of access to new publications was renewed with ANAC. In addition, a programme was established to exchange experiences and increase direct cooperation between ANAC and ICP-ANACOM's offices in Madeira and the Azores, in response to the specific characteristics of insularity.
- Croatia
In 2010, a Bilateral Meeting was held between the Croatian postal regulator and ICP-ANACOM in Lisbon in the context of the TAIEX project, in which there was discussion of topics such as postal regulations (national and European legal framework), universal service and its financing, protection of consumer rights, quality of service and pricing, among others.
- Ecuador (ANP)
A cooperation protocol was signed to support this country as it engaged in the process of postal sector liberalisation. In this context, training was provided in Lisbon on issues related to oversight of the postal activity, the registration of postal operators and complaints.
- Spain (Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Comisión del Mercado de las Telecomunicaciones (Telecommunications Market Commission))
Meetings were held with the Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Transport, which is responsible for the transposition of the Postal Directive in Spain, in order to share views on the regime to be adopted with regard to a range of issues in the context of this transposition. Other meeting took place with CMT - Comisión del Mercado de las Telecomunicaciones (Telecommunications Market Commission) seeking to promote the exchange of experiences and the discussion of common positions, especially in the context of European and international organizations. This initiative was developed in the framework of institutional exchange between ICP-ANACOM and CMT. Usual bilateral contacts were maintained in the coordination of frequencies.
- Guinea-Bissau (ICGB)
Staff from ICGB took part in CADISC and CATESC courses as well as in activities undertaken in parallel, particularly in terms of training on the US and financial administration.
- Hungary (NHHC)
The first meeting of accredited laboratories was held as part of the comparison of electromagnetic compatibility and radio equipment measurement, with the aim of exchanging experiences and technical review procedures. Technicians from NHHC took part in "field” actions together with ICP-ANACOM staff in undertaking monitoring and control of the spectrum.
- Morocco (ANRT)
The 2nd high-level meeting was held between ICP-ANACOM and the Moroccan regulator, providing opportunity for the exchange of experiences on various issues, including tariff control, electronic certification, number portability and the digital dividend. Additionally, the year was marked by the conclusion of a new memorandum of understanding, superseding the former memorandum and extending the term to three years. This provided greater stability and work dynamics between the two authorities, particularly with regard to technical areas and above all in terms of the necessary work on the coordination of frequencies and of the broadcasting service. Alongside this meeting, a further technical meeting was held on broadcasting issues.
- Mozambique (INCM)
2010 was marked by the signing of a protocol between ICP-ANACOM, ACIST and INCM, and also by the participation of INCM staff in CADISC and CATESC courses and in activities taking place in parallel.
- Sao Tome and Principe (AGER)
Training was held with AGER on the US, while AGER staff participated in CADISC and CATESC courses and in activities taking place in parallel, including a course on spectrum management. ICP-ANACOM temporarily gave equipment for monitoring radio frequencies to Sao Tome and Principe. This was accomplished in parallel with a programme of the ITU CoE on the approval and certification of equipment, followed by a technical mission to provide local support in the assembly of a spectrum analyzer and training in its use. Additionally, various aerials were erected and RF cables were constructed, and maintenance support was provided in other areas.
- Thailand (CNTT)
A meeting was held on quality of service, in which ICP-ANACOM outlined its experience, particularly on the methodology used in these operations. There was also opportunity to learn about aspects of the telecommunications market management in this Southeast Asian country.
- Ukraine (CNRC)
A cooperation protocol was signed between ICP-ANACOM and the Ukrainian regulator, with a view to exchanging experiences and technical support, particularly in terms of procedures and requirements within the framework of Community law.
