Following several months of discussions, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the Arab Telecommunications Council of Ministers/League of Arab States (ACTM/LAS) have recently concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) providing for co-operation in telecommunications standardization between Europe and the Arab world.
ETSI is active in many regions outside Europe, working to promote high standards in the overall development of telecommunications and global harmonization. Several major Arab telecom players have begun to sign up as Associate Members of ETSI, according to a press release issues by ETSI.
A number of technologies standardized by ETSI have been implemented in Arab countries, including Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECTTM), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) and the Global System for Mobile communication (GSMTM).
In addition, the widespread use of GSM900 in Arab countries renders even more critical the co-operation and exchange of information on Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) technology, one of the new technologies which ETSI is helping to develop in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPPTM) to enable third generation mobile telecommunications.
ETSI receives numerous requests for information and assistance from the Arab region, and the MoU will encourage the exchange of information and expertise and provide opportunities for the sharing of views.
ETSI is a non-profit-making, independent organization whose mission is to produce the telecommunications standards that will be used for decades to come throughout Europe and beyond.
Based in Sophia Antipolis (France), ETSI unites 912 members from 54 countries inside and outside Europe, and represents manufacturers, network operators, administrations, service providers, research bodies and users.
ETSI's prime objective is to support global harmonization by providing a forum in which all the key players can contribute actively. ETSI is officially recognized by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The League of Arab States was founded in 1945 to serve the common good of all Arab countries, ensuring better conditions, guaranteeing the future and fulfilling the hopes and expectations of all Arab countries. It currently represents 22 Arab countries.
The League is a national and regional organization that seeks to promote closer ties among member-states and to co-ordinate their policies and their economic, cultural and security plans with a view to developing collective co-operation, protecting national security and maintaining the independence and sovereignty of member-states, thereby enhancing the potential for joint Arab action in all fields. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
