Dave et al., I think it absolutely makes sense for Jon to be on the delegation. Though not described in those terms, his participation helps create good will that we may need to draw on in the future. This is, of course, a ringing endorsement of respect for Jon, both professionally and personally. This type of vote of confidence happens all too rarely. Good for Jon, and good for us!-- 73, Greg Widin, K0GW ARRL Dakota Division Director On Tue, Dec 4, 2012 at 8:03 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner@arrl.org> wrote:
The World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) is being held in Dubai this week and next. ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Jonathan Siverling, WB3ERA is on the US delegation.****
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A WCIT would not normally be of direct interest to the ARRL. Its objective is to renegotiate the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs), the purpose of which is to ensure the interoperability of the various telecommunications networks used for international communications. Normally this is a pretty dry subject, but anything that smacks of international regulation of the Internet is an area of hypersensitivity today.****
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While there is a possibility that one definition might be expanded in such a way as to make the ITRs theoretically applicable to amateur radio networks, this in itself would not have tipped the balance in favor of our seeking a slot on the delegation. The ITRs are of concern if you want to be compensated for carrying telecommunications that arrive on your network from another country, but of course the amateur service is not in that category. However, the State Department made a strong request that we make Jon available to serve on the delegation because they were in need of his ability to interface with other delegations, particularly from Latin America.****
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Our cooperation may or may not ever result in a benefit to the ARRL on a matter of more direct concern, but it can’t hurt.****
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Dave Sumner, K1ZZ****
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