Dear all, Summary of key issues by ISOC Best Alice ---------------------------- Recognized Operating Agency vs Operating Agency (ROA/OA) is still very controversial. This is a key issue in terms of scope of application - to whom will the ITRs apply? There have been attempts at compromise that reference the ITU Constitution but a lot more discussion is still needed. Telecom / ICT: while most countries do not wish to change the existing ITU definition of telecommunications, there is interest by some to add the term telecom/ICT to the treaty. Proposed definitions in this regard include the term "processing" which is very controversial. Status of ITU-T Recommendations: the discussion is focused on a) whether to specify certain ITU Recommendations that may be mandatory and b) whether to limit references to ITU-T or to broaden out to all ITU Recommendations Accounting Rates (Article 6): Just beginning the review of Article 6 but there is considerable discussion on how to adjust Article 6 to reflect high level principles rather than prescriptive action and to be flexible enough to accommodate changing commercial arrangements. International Connectivity: This has been teed up along with some discussion about the role of IXPs (and regional IXPs) and whether these concepts are even appropriate for treaty text. Quality of Service (Article 3): debate over whether ITRs can/should mandate minimum / satisfactory quality of service pursuant to ITU-T Recommendations. Security has been raised in this context. Explicit references to Internet: a few proposals in this regard have generated very strong feelings from lots of sides with no clear resolution in sight just yet. In summary, it's early days and there will be a lot of ups and downs and turns before we reach a final treaty text. So please keep that in mind as you read reports or press about the conference