International Telecommunication Research Articles

Co-regulation strategy dominated by double short molecules permitting the regrowth of quantum dots for efficient deep-blue perovskite light-emitting diodes

Recently, blue perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) have garnered considerable attention for use in full-color optoelectronic displays. However, the large specific surface area caused by the small particle size of blue PeQDs results in high defect state density, which severely limits their optical pursuit. To address this issue, a co-regulation strategy using double short-chain molecules of tetraoctylammonium fluoride and tetraethylammonium perfluorooctanesulfonate is proposed to enhance the regrowth of blue CsxRb1−xPb(ClyBr1−y)3 PeQDs. Long-chain insulated oleylamine and oleic acid ligands, which restrict the growth of PeQDs, are substantially replaced using short-chain ligands with higher adsorption energy. This replacement promotes PeQDs to regrow considerably from ∼8 to ∼18 nm, and the defect-state density decreases by 3–5 times. Consequently, highly efficient blue PeQDs with a photoluminescent quantum yield of unity are obtained. Moreover, the PeQDs exhibit lower insulating ligand density and improved charge injection property. As a result, the synthesized deep-blue PeQD light-emitting diodes (PeQLEDs) exhibit a maximum external quantum efficiency of 5.7% at the CIE coordinate of (0.148, 0.032). According to the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector television standard (Rec. 2100), the obtained PeQLEDs are state-of-the-art among colloidal deep-blue PeQDs. This study provides a novel strategy to improve the optical performance of deep-blue PeQLEDs and paves the way for developing high-end wide color-gamut displays.

A deep-learning approach for turbulence correction in free space optical communication with Laguerre–Gaussian modes

Free space optical communication has become increasingly popular in the past decade due to its terahertz bandwidth, unlicensed spectrum, and enhanced security features. This technology has been attracting significant interest from the network community due to its broad applications in future military and civilian protocols. Recently, the use of orthogonal spatial states of the light field, including those with nonzero orbital angular momentum, has increased communication system capacities and bit-transfer rates per photon. However, atmospheric turbulence disrupts the orthogonal spatial modes over propagation. We present a novel deep learning architecture, cGULnet, to mitigate the effects of atmospheric turbulence on spatial multiplexing of Laguerre–Gaussian structured light modes. The model predicts the phase correction patterns required for an adaptive optical system. It is a U-shaped architecture trained adversarially to a patch discriminator similar to conditional generative adversarial neural-networks. The network is trained for exact phase recovery systems without approximating Zernike polynomials, enabling its use in highly phase-sensitive but high-speed spatial multiplexed communication systems. The proposed architecture can predict the successive three frames in a single shot using the previous ten frames. The method was evaluated for a wide range of beam waist sizes in a simulated Laguerre–Gaussian spatial mode multiplexed 1 km free space optical communication link. We have considered 20 dB optical signal-to-noise ratio, with turbulence conditions parameterized by the refractive index structure parameter of Cn2≤5×10−15m−23. It was found to reduce the bit error rate to the International Telecommunication Union recommended forward error correction limit of 3.8×10−3 under high turbulence conditions.

Structured Field Coding and its Applications to National Risk and Cybersecurity Assessments

Data on cybersecurity capacity building efforts is critical to improving cybersecurity at national levels. Policy should be informed not only by measures that allow internal assessment of strengths and weaknesses that enable cross-national comparisons. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and its Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) has used a standardized survey that has been adapted and used in multiple national assessments by the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre. This adaptation includes an addition of open field coding assessments that rely heavily on trained experts and interactions with national focus groups. These assessments are checked using multiple coders to increase reliability and reduce bias. This process of ‘structured field coding’ (SFC) is an approach to collecting and coding observations based on multiple methods, quantitative as well as qualitative. This approach differs from open field coding in providing a set structure for coding observations from the field based on established frameworks for assessment. The SFC process is explained along with a discussion of the origin and the advantages and limitations of this methodological approach. It can be used in a variety of studies but is presented here as a means to integrate data for cross-national comparative analyses. Its application to improving the reliability and validity of data collection across a region, such as the EU, would help stakeholders evaluate where they should invest resources to improve their cybersecurity capacity.

On the Study of Interference Scenario on TV Broadcast and Wireless Systems for Emergency Communication Networks in TVWS

This paper investigated frequency sharing between primary TV systems (channels 32 and 49) and Emergency Communication Networks (ECNs). The networks to be implemented in the Osogbo axis of Osun State function on a secondary geographical basis, creating no harm to the original licensed primary TV viewers. A minimum separation distance of 41 dB was suggested as the protected contour for the UHF spectrum to oversee the protection of primary TV users for the UHF bands under consideration. The effects of changing the secondary systems' transmitting power, transmission frequency, and antenna height on the service coverage distance were also explored. The performance of the UHF band was evaluated when it was utilized for secondary transmission at both low and high transmitting powers, with the performance criterion being percentage coverage distance. This work complies with the International Telecommunication Union-Radio sector (ITU-R) recommendations of 16 dB for signal-to-noise ratio and 41 dB for signal strength. It can also be deduced from the result that when the transmission power of ECN devices is raised from 40 mW to 4 W, Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is used; it caused a 76.19% reduction in the coverage spacing for TV channels of ECN Network secondary devices. For the White Space Device (WSD) to operate in Temporal mode, the maximum allowable power (4 W) used in spatial mode should be replaced by a 76.19 per cent reduction. Additional sensing margins of 3.76 dB and 4.04 dB for channels 33 and 43 must be added to the FCC threshold limit of -114 dBm criterion for TV white spaces to assure ECN deployment without causing severe interference to TV customers.

Rain Attenuations Based on Drop Size Distribution (DSD) Model and Empirical Model at Low THz Frequencies

Rain attenuation based on the drop size distribution (DSD) with different rainfall rates (R) at low THz frequencies is investigated in this paper. The rain attenuation is calculated using the DSD measured for one year and the extinction cross-section (ECS) by the Mie scattering theory. Moreover, the obtained specific rain attenuation is verified by the empirical model using the measurement system consisting of a transmitter, a receiver, and weather measurement units. We measured the received power against the uniform transmitted power at 240, 270, and 300 GHz on the rooftop of the National Radio Research Agency (RRA) in Korea during the same period as the DSD measurement period. After curve fitting by regression analysis, we compared both rain attenuations obtained in two methods with the recommendation International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) P.838-3. The root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the DSD model are 2.8977, 2.8646, and 2.8331 at 240, 270, and 300 GHz, respectively. The calculated result using the Mie scattering and the measured DSD methods shows the best fit to the data of the ITU-R recommendation for a rainfall rate of up to 5 mm/h. On the other hand, the empirical results using the T/Rx antenna system are slightly higher compared to the data of the ITU-R recommendation. As the rainfall rate increases, the difference between our results and ITU-R recommendation increases. This study will be useful for predicting rain attenuation for terrestrial wireless links operating at low THz frequencies.

Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and channels television coverage of the war against Boko haram terrorism in north-east Nigeria

Building on the motivation created by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in the United States of America, terrorism has become a significant security and economic challenge globally. It has assumed worrisome scale and dimensions across the continents of the world despite the growing expertise of security intelligence and government leadership. From Asia, especially the Arabian nations, to Europe, America and Africa, terrorism has continued to dominate security discussions and planning among governments and, in particular, the United Nations. Its origin has been linked to both political and religious motivations and objectives. One of the earliest documentations on the origin of terrorism is seen in the works of Mark Burgess. He traces terrorism to the Thugees, an Indian religious cult that ritually strangle its victims (usually travellers chosen at random) as an offering to Kali, the Hindu goddess of terror and destruction. Between the 7th and mid-19th centuries, the Thugees were reputed to be responsible for as many as one million murders. That was perhaps the last example of religion-inspired terrorism until the phenomenon re-emerged a little over 20 years ago. David Rapport notes that “before the 19th century, religion provided the only acceptable justifications for terror” (p. 7). However, this study will adapt a working definition of terrorism as stated by The United Nations General Assembly. According to the UN, terrorism refers to: “…criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes... whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or other nature that may be invoked to justify them” (p. 3). The United Nations, in the foregoing definition, places terrorism in a wide spectrum that captures anything that causes sustained acts capable of creating fear, death and destruction or disruption of human life cycle. People feel terror when they experience a threat to their lives, faith, ethnicity, property or livelihood. Primarily, the specifications in the definition underpin the core interests of terrorists. By terror and fear, they advance their political, ethnic, racial, religious causes, etc, on the public, or a targeted group of people. Television plays a very critical role in disseminating information in the most effective way. The audio-visual quality of transmission offered by the television gives it the edge above other means of mass communication. Since the invention of television in 1873 by a young telegraph operator, Joseph May of Ireland, the device has constantly undergone unprecedented transformation within its first one hundred years of invention and endeared itself to more users than predictable. Peter Olu, citing official figures from the International Telecommunication Union, noted that there were 600 million television sets, a higher figure than 565 million telephones in 1983 (p. 1). The attraction of the visual message the television transmits is powerful. It is very effective in modifying the social behaviours of viewers, a constant need by government, leaders and the business world.

Axial ratio bandwidth improvement of compact planar monopole antenna with dual‐band and dual‐sense

SummaryA small size, dual‐band and dual‐sense monopole antenna is proposed to improve the axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW). The proposed antenna is considered on a low‐cost lossy FR4 substrate with parasitic strips (PSs) and partial ground plane of half guided wavelength dimensions. The dimension of the antenna in terms of wavelength is , where is the wavelength at the lowest resonant frequency. The circularly polarized (CP) mode is created for strong orthogonal electric fields and . The obtained phase difference (PD) between two electric fields and is varied from to under ARBW. The achieved ARBW is 3.68–3.8 GHz, 4.84–12.58 GHz, and impedance bandwidth (IBW) is 3.51–3.82 GHz and 4.28–15 GHz. The applications of the proposed antenna are International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 5G, C‐band IEEE 802.11a wireless local area network (WLAN) at 5 GHz (5.15–5.825 GHz) and X‐band wireless systems.

The evaluation of EMI characteristics of 4G-IMT system on FAST around its RQZ

Mobile communication base stations have become ubiquitous with the popularization and development of mobile communication services. Although the Chinese government has designated a radio quiet zone (RQZ) specifically for Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), the 4G International Mobile Telecommunications (4G-IMT) system is still heavily used to meet the communication needs around the RQZ. To assess the Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) caused by 4G-IMT base stations on the performance of FAST, this paper employs the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) deterministic radio wave propagation prediction model. The interference of 4G-IMT base stations on FAST is evaluated based on relevant parameters, such as the frequency used by both FAST and the base station, in conjunction with the FAST threshold protection requirements. The results indicate that 47.73 % of the data exceed the radio astronomy protection threshold of FAST. In addition, a field experiment was conducted to verify the accuracy of the radio wave propagation prediction method used. The root-mean-square error between the predicted value and the measured value was found to be 6.94 dB, supporting the accuracy of the predicted results. The findings of this study can help suppress interference from mobile communication services around the RQZ of FAST and optimize the electromagnetic environment around FAST.

An easy-to-produce HIS-based MIMO radio altimeter antenna design for aircraft

Purpose The purpose of this study is to design a radio altimeter antenna whose production process is facilitated and can work with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) properties to provide space gain on the aircraft. Design/methodology/approach To create an easy-to-produce MIMO, a two-storied structure consisting of a reflector and a top antenna was designed. The dimensions of the reflector were prevented to get smaller to supply easy production. The unit cell nearly with the same dimensions of a lower frequency was protected through the original cell design. The co-planar structure with the use of a via connection was modified and a structure was achieved with no need to via for easy production, too. Finally, the antennas were placed side by side and the distance between them was optimized to achieve a MIMO operation. Findings As a result, an easy-to-produce, compact and successful radio altimeter antenna was obtained with high antenna parameters such as 10.14 dBi gain and 10.55 dBi directivity, and the conical pattern along with proper MIMO features, through original reflector surface and top antenna system. Originality/value Since radio altimeter antennas require high radiation properties, the microstrip antenna structure is generally used in literature. This paper contributes by presenting the radio altimeter application with antenna-reflective structure participation. The technical solutions were developed during the design, focusing on an easy manufacturing process for both the reflective surface and the upper antenna. Also, the combination of International Telecommunication Union’s recommended features that require high antenna properties was achieved, which is challenging to reach. In addition, by operating the antenna as a successful MIMO, two goals of easy production and space gain on aircraft have been attained at the same time.

Modelling and numerical analysis of combined dual impact of SRS and FWM on the performance of upstream and downstream channels of a novel UDWDM/DWDM-PON

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is an important method in modern optical communication systems for both long-haul and access networks. Particularly, after being standardized by Telecommunication Standardization Sector of International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T), WDM passive optical network (WDM-PON) becomes a considerable choice for fronthaul implementations of 5G networks. Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and four-wave mixing (FWM) are crucial nonlinear impacts that significantly limit the performance of WDM-based optical fiber communication systems. In this paper, an ultra-dense/dense WDM-PON (UDWDM/DWDM-PON) architecture has been proposed and combined dual impact of SRS and FWM on performances of upstream channels (USCs) and downstream channels (DSCs) of the proposed UDWDM/DWDM-PON has been numerically analyzed. USCs have been assumed to operate in 1310 nm region while operating wavelength region of DSCs has been taken as 1550 nm. Simulations have been performed on both UDWDM-PON architectures with 3.125 GHz and 6.25 GHz channel spacings and DWDM-PON architectures with channel spacings between 12.5 GHz and 100 GHz. 2x15-channel and 2x63-channel system structures have been considered in simulations. Signal-to-crosstalk ratio (SXR) has been chosen as performance parameter and its variation with channel input powers, channel spacings and channel lengths have been simulated for both USCs and DSCs of 2x15- and 2x63-channel UDWDM/DWDM-PONs. Results show that the proposed UDWDM/DWDM-PONs using single G.652 fiber can exhibit a reliable communication with minimum 23 dB SXR performance under combined dual impact of SRS and FWM unless some highlights about input powers and channel lengths mentioned in the paper are neglected.

Cascading Energy Transfer for Highly Efficient Deep-Red OLED Emission with Cyclometalated [3+2+1] Iridium Complexes.

The promising cyclometalated iridium (III) complexes have been proved to possess great potential in vacuum-deposited organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) applications for full-color displays and white solid-state lighting sources. Herein, based on the unique bidentate ligand of dibenzo[a,c]phenazine (dbpz) group with strong conjugated effect of aromatic rings for red emission, four novel [3+2+1] coordinated iridium (III) emissive materials have been rationally designed and synthesized. The monodentate ligands of -CN and -OCN have been effectively employed to tune the deep-red emission of 628-675nm with high photoluminescence quantum yields up to 98%. Moreover, all devices displayed deep-red color coordinates ranging from (0.675, 0.325) to (0.716, 0.284), which is close to the standard-red color coordinates of (0.708, 0.292), as recommended by International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication (ITU-R) BT.2020. The device based on nBuIr(dbpz)CN with an exciplex cohost has exhibited maximum external quantum efficiencies of 20.7% and good stability. With nBuIr(dbpz)CN as an effective sensitizer, the nBuIr(dbpz)OCN based phosphorescent OLED devices have successfully demonstrated cascading energy transfer processes, contributing to pure red emission with maximum luminance as high as 6471cd m-2. Therefore, this work has been successfully demonstrated rational molecular design strategy of [3+2+1] iridium complexes to obtain highly efficient deep-red electrophosphorescent emission.

23.1-Gb/s 135-GHz Wireless Transmission Over 4.6-Km and Effect of Rain Attenuation

In this article, we have experimentally demonstrated a fiber-wireless-integration <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$D$</tex-math> </inline-formula> -band (110–170 GHz) transmission system. To extend the wireless transmission distance while maintaining the wireless bit rate as high as possible, we designed high-gain lens horn antenna modules consisting of a pair of dielectric plano-convex lenses and horn antennas for long-haul wireless links. In addition, we employ the Volterra nonlinear equalization (VNE) algorithm based on the multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) structure to precisely compensate for the in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) imbalance and nonlinear impairment of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals mainly caused by photoelectric (O-E) conversion and electric-photo (E-O) conversion. Meanwhile, one of the methods adopted in our experiment to decrease the influence of nonlinearity on high-order QAM signals is coupling the high-order modulation format with the probabilistic shaping (PS) technology. As a result of outdoor field experimental verification, the demonstration at 135 GHz carrier with a net rate of 23.1 Gb/s over 10 km optic-fiber and 4.6 km wireless transmission distance has been successfully carried out. It is, as we know, the first time that a record-breaking product of net bit rate and wireless transmission distance, i.e., 23.1 Gb/s <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times$</tex-math> </inline-formula> 4.6 km <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$=$</tex-math> </inline-formula> 106.3 Gb/s <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\cdot$</tex-math> </inline-formula> km, has been accomplished based on a fiber-wireless-integration system. Also, for the first time, we have measured the effect of rain attenuation for the 135 GHz millimeter-wave (mm-wave) wireless link and established more accurate rainfall models for the Shanghai region of China by comparing them with multiple rainfall models. This work can be used as a complement to the International Telecommunication Union-Radiocommunication sector (ITU-R) recommendations.

Radio Refractivity Impact on Signal Strength of Mobile Communication

This research investigated radio refractivity impact on signal strength of mobile communication. The mobile communication signal strengths of two popular networks in Nigeria, 9Mobile and MTN, were considered. In the 2100 MHz-3 G band, 9Mobile transmits in the downlink spectrum of 2130.00–2140.00 MHz, while MTN transmits in the downlink spectrum of 2110.00–2120.00 MHz. Also, 9Mobile transmits in the downlink spectrum of 791–821 MHz in the 800 MHz band and 1805–1880 MHz in the 1800 MHz, while MTN transmits in the downlink spectrums of 2620–2690 MHz in the 2600 MHz band; all in the 4 G band. Using the instrument of a mobile station in each station (location) in some selected cities in southern Nigeria, the signal strengths were measured. A cell signal monitor (version 5.1.1) mobile application installed in an Android (transceiver) device (having two SIM slots) constituted the mobile station. To achieve high accuracy, there was a restriction in measuring transmission from specific cells. Hourly measurement of signal strengths was carried out and instantaneously corresponding weather parameters were recorded. Weather parameters for this investigation; atmospheric temperature and pressure; and relative humidity were excerpted online from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) hourly weather report for the various cities where the stations were situated. The hourly radio refractivity was computed using the 2015 International Telecommunication Union–Radio-communication sector (ITU-R) recommended model. Overall, the results indicate that there was no established linear relationship between signal strength and radio refractivity since the overall average R value is 0.0123691 and the overall average standard deviation of R values is 0.1112165. The inconsistencies in the linear relationships obtained from different locations and cells could be due to variations in topography, antenna properties, seasonal variations, wind and position, and distance of the receiver from the transmitter.

A Breakthrough in Solution-Processed Ultra-Deep-Blue HLCT OLEDs: A Record External Quantum Efficiency Exceeding 10% Based on Novel V-Shaped Emitters.

It is always a great challenge to achieve high-efficiency solution-processed ultra-deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 chromaticity coordinates matching the blue primary of Rec. International Telecommunication Union-Radiocommunication BT.2100, which specifies high dynamic range television image parameters. Inspired by hybrid local and charge transfer (HLCT) excited state emitters improving exciton utilization through high-lying reverse intersystem crossing, here, a series of high-performance blue emitters by a V-shaped symmetric donor (D)-π-acceptor (A)-π-D design strategy are developed. Here, the large torsions and unstable bonds of D-A structures can be improved through π bridges, and also the conjugation length and donor groups can be easily adjusted. The obtained emitters merit excellent photophysical and electrochemical properties, thermal stability, solution processibility, and HLCT excited state excellence. Results suggest that the OLEDs based on the obtained blue emitters all achieve high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax ) of more than 8% with very low efficiency roll-off. In particular, the device based on 4',5'-bis(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)spiro[fluorene-9,2'-imidazole] exhibits a satisfactory ultra-deep-blue emission (CIEx , y = 0.1579, 0.0387) and a record-high EQEmax (10.40%) among solution-processed HLCT OLEDs, which is very close to the record EQEmax of devices by vacuum vapor deposition technology.

Towards a low-cost sustainable broadband solution in rural areas of low and middle-income countries: Tanzania’s backhaul perspective

Although broadband internet has proven to accelerate the fulfilment of the information and communication for development (ICT4D) agenda, connectivity issues persist in some regions of the world, particularly in rural areas of Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) which host 93% of the unconnected global population. Due to the lack of economic feasibility in these locations for service providers, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been advocating for low-cost sustainable solutions in such areas. Among the challenging broadband infrastructure segment seems to be the backhaul (middle-mile) as rural areas are remotely located from the backbone end-points. With Tanzania exemplifying LMICs, this paper presents a Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) to compare the widely utilized backhaul (Microwave) and the promising Broadband over Power Line (BPL) towards achieving low-cost broadband solutions. To demonstrate technical viability in terms of capacity, Pathloss and MATLAB were utilized from which both technologies demonstrated the broadband-suitably capacity (161Mbps for Microwave and 168.99Mbs for BPL). From economic perspective, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCOs) for both technologies were determined using a Cost Model; BPL fared better as the cost of establishing one microwave link could have established almost 6 BPL links. Apart from adding to the body of knowledge on TEAs involving backhauls, this paper informs policymakers and other related stakeholders on the potential cost-benefit of BPL towards curbing the existing broadband connectivity gap.

Co-Channel Compatibility Analysis of IMT Networks and Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting in the Frequency Range 470-694 MHz Based on Monte Carlo Simulation.

According to Resolution 235 adopted during the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and the preliminary agenda item 1.5 of WRC-2023, the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has been entrusted to carry out sharing and compatibility studies between broadcasting and mobile services in the frequency range 470-694 MHz in Region 1. This study specifically focuses on evaluating electromagnetic compatibility in potential co-channel sharing scenarios between Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) and International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems within the 470-694 MHz frequency band that may arise in the foreseeable future. To assess the conditions for coexistence, a Monte Carlo simulation method implemented through the SEAMCAT software version 5.4.2 is employed, examining six potential interference scenarios. The simulation results yield the minimum coordination distance required between IMT and DTTB services in the 470-694 MHz band based on the protection criteria to ensure harmonious coexistence while maintaining satisfactory performance. Furthermore, the study investigates the impact of various factors such as transmitter power, antenna heights, coverage radius, antenna discrimination, and antenna tilt angle on the separation distances. The focus lies primarily on critical interference scenarios across neighboring countries' borders. The simulation outcomes confirm that sharing the same frequency band between IMT and DTTB networks would result in significant mutual interference. Nevertheless, carefully analyzing diverse parameters and assumptions helped provide recommendations to reduce the required separation distances. These findings are valuable for broadcasters, mobile operators, and regulators in establishing the technical coexistence conditions for DTTB and IMT in the new band.

Resolution for Pandemics Approved by the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference [Past Related Activities and Future Challenges

The ITU adopted a new resolution at its PP Conference held in 2022 in Bucharest, Romania to utilize ICT to combat pandemics and new infectious diseases. In this paper, we have investigated infectious disease-related contributions and declarations at the ITU-D up to the most recent resolution for pandemics, pointed out issues, and offered a concrete outlook. We are pleased that the new resolution on pandemics has been issued, but the specific details regarding infection detection, efforts to prevent infection (PP-22 Resolution 215), and technology content remain insufficient. The risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza infection and the global spread of Ebola virus disease cannot be eliminated. ICT plays a major role in social infrastructure, and its use in health care is rapidly expanding into fields of application. At the next PP Conference, we would like to request that ITU begin to focus on saving more lives by making full use of AI and ICT technology.

The influence of China in AI governance through standardisation

Artificial intelligence systems (AIS) are subject to technical standardisation. Technical standards are primarily developed within standard developing organisations (SDOs) traditionally operating under consensus-based, community- and largely industry-driven processes. Governments are increasingly interested in technical standards’ development, accentuating the political dimension of standardisation. This article explores the contribution of technical standardisation to the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and asks whose views are being implemented in the development of non-state rules for AI. The article, based on empirical research, focuses on the changing governance structure of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Overall, the discussion offers an overview of the existing geopolitics in AI-related standardisation and contributes to the scholarship on AI and digital governance by exploring the role of technical standardisation as a tool in AI governance. The research finds an increasing Chinese representation in international standardisation and argues that the political use of standardisation can lead to China establishing its own vision of digital governance. Consequently, the article suggest that China is using participation in recognised SDOs to legitimate its vision for digital governance calling for a re-examination of standardisation considering its implications for democracy and the protection of human rights.

China and the ITU

Abstract This article maps the evolution of the Chinese activities within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with a focus on the Chinese standard-setting experience. It analyzes three different moments of the ITU-China standard-setting history: Audio Video Coding Standards (AVS) from 2002 to 2007; TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE standards from 1998 to 2013; and 5G standards from 2012 to 2013. The study contributes to the literature, first, by demonstrating that China-ITU relations have been useful to China to support the shift from norm taker to norm maker into the standard-setting process through techno-nationalism in the case of AVS, techno-globalism in the case of TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE, and neo-techno-globalism in the case of 5G. Second, it highlights how China benefited from its ITU presence to improve its abilities in lobbying for promoting new standards globally. Third, it highlights the ITU’s role as actor, arena, and antenna in the field of techno-diplomacy and standards’ definition.

A skills framework in the context of a digital ecosystem: an engine for social inclusion in developing countries

Colombia has experienced a remarkable economic expansion in recent times, but it is still a country with a high level of inequality. The Gini index evidenced that fact with 51.3% in 2019, which shows that Colombia has one of the highest levels of inequality in Latin America, particularly in certain regions. Furthermore, in 2020, 42.5% of the population lived in poverty, around 21.02 million individuals, and this figure increased by 3.6 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These levels are similar to those recorded 20 years ago (Balakrishnan et al., 2021). Besides, Colombia experienced a peak unemployment rate of 43% during the peak of the pandemic in 2020. By the end of that year, the rate had decreased to 15.9%, but this still represents an increase of 1.3 million people who were unemployed compared to 2019. Colombia has pursued the transformation of its commodity-based economic system to knowledge based assets; therefore, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are essential to foster the economic growth of the country and also play an essential role in meeting the sustainable development objectives proposed by the United Nations (Bogdan-Martin, 2017; United Nations, 2018; United Nations, 2015; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 2018). Several ICT applications have been implemented to reduce the gaps among individuals, including the use of Big Data to analyze marginalized communities, improve government services, provide farmers with relevant information, promote education and telemedicine, facilitate the purchase and sale of goods and services, offer financial services, and foster collaborative networks (Bauer, 2018, p. 6; Bogdan-Martin, 2017; Nielsen et al., 2018). Governments invest significant budgets in infrastructure such as Internet and computers to achieve this aim. Nonetheless, some Latin American do not achieve the same outcomes as developed nations. According to the ICTs Development Index, the highest-ranked Latin American country is Uruguay at the 42nd place, followed by Argentina (51st) and Chile (56th) (International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 2017b). In the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking of 2019, out of 63 economies, Chile ranked 42nd, Mexico ranked 49th, Brazil ranked 57th, Colombia ranked 58th and Argentina ranked 59th (Brits and Cabolis, 2019) Internet is crucial in aspects such as the acquisition of new and improved skills, better employment opportunities, and the expansion of productive activities (ITU, 2017a; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 2016b, p. 8; ITU, 2018a). The Internet also plays a crucial role in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship because it promotes information sharing, stimulates the creation of new businesses, facilitates the commercialization of new ideas, and explores new sources of income (OECD, 2016b, p. 9).