Information, Communications and Technology Policy (ICT)

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Background

ICTs are more than just communications and networking phenomena. The Internet has become a platform for voice and data communications, computing, dissemination of video information, social networking and an incubator for emerging business models.

Applications and data are shifting from the desktop to the global system of interconnected servers, networks, storage systems, personal computers, mobile phones, and other devices. ICTs are a key driver of innovation and a means for conducting all commerce rather than a unique type of “e-commerce”.

A policy and regulatory environment that promotes ICTs and allows businesses to seize their benefits must reject unnecessary, harmful or inconsistent regulation.

Objective

Advocate sound international policy frameworks, characterized by free and fair competition, minimal government intervention, free information flows and a user orientation, that ensure the continued growth of ICTs and extend their benefits around the world.

Increase awareness of the potential impact of policies, laws, and regulations related to ICTs and e-business.

Current Priorities

Convergence

· Promote a competitive environment for evolving services resulting from the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology industries.

Chair
Arthur Reilly
Senior Director, Strategic Technology Policy

Cisco Systems

Vice Chair
Joseph Alhadeff

Vice President, Global Public Policy & Chief Privacy Officer

Oracle Corporation

Leslie Martinkovics

Verizon

Staff Contacts

Heather I. Shaw

Vice President, ICT Policy

(212) 703-5068 or hshaw@uscib.org

Christopher G. Martin

Manager, Marketing & Advertising, ICT, Banking and Emerging Markets

(212) 703-5061 or cgmartin@uscib.org

Jessica Berti

Program Assistant

jberti@uscib.org

Working Groups

Convergence

Domain Name System and Internet Identifiers

Privacy, Security and Technology

Trade

Internet Governance

· Support ICANN’s private sector leadership of the technical coordination of the Internet’s name and number system.

· Communicate industry's views to the U.S. Government and the ICC on reform of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and its appropriate role in international information and communications policy.

· Ensure that the U.N. Internet Governance Forum (IGF) provides useful opportunities for capacity building and information exchange and does not duplicate or detract from ongoing substantive work programs in other organizations.

Privacy and Security

· Enhance trust and promote privacy while enabling global information flows by shaping the implementation of the APEC Privacy Framework, providing input on ISO privacy initiatives and continuing to monitor developments worldwide.

· Promote self-regulation and the application of existing global privacy guidelines to ensure responsible and accountable implementation of new technologies and applications such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) and social networking.

· Continue to promote a global culture of cyber-security through ICC and BIAC, and in regional fora.

· Work with the US Government, ICC and BIAC to ensure meaningful market opening commitments in basic and value-added telecommunications services, computer and related services and a liberalized environment for trade via the Internet are high negotiating priorities in all trade negotiations and agreements.

Trade

· Work with the U.S. Government to ensure that the scheduling of meaningful market opening commitments in basic telecommunications services, value-added services, e-commerce, and computer and related services are among the highest negotiating priorities in any WTO accession protocol or Free Trade Agreement.

Recent Accomplishments

· Represented U.S. business interests at the IGF meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
See: http://www.iccwbo.org/iccbhcde/index.html

· Coordinated an outreach campaign, through the ICC, that encouraged international businesses to communicate concerns regarding a proposal at the ITU to implement network externalities that resulted in an unprecedented number of country reservations to the resolution.

· Participated in the development of Pathfinder Projects to implement the APEC Privacy Framework through Cross Border Privacy Rules and coordinated the ICC ‘Guest’ delegation at meetings and intersessional calls.

· Worked with BIAC and the OECD to develop a conference on the protection of consumers online that launched a review of the OECD E-Commerce Guidelines.

· Provided U.S. business views to the Department of Commerce and ICANN on the transparency and accountability of ICANN.