August 27, 2001 An agreement signed between the U.S.-based TIA (www.tiaonline.org) and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), an agency of the Organization of American States (OAS), will spur cooperation on a range of activities, including joint projects and publications, seminars, meetings, and training.
The cooperation agreement was signed as delegates from member countries gathered at OAS headquarters for a three-day CITEL working-group meeting.
In his introductory remarks, CITEL chairman Jos�ileggi described the agreement as an important point of support for activities to be carried out by CITEL through its working groups. He said the agreement would also enable both institutions to pursue activities of mutual interest. Clovis Baptista, executive secretary, signed on behalf of CITEL.
Signing for TIA, Dan Bart, senior vice president, noted that his association was gratified at this opportunity to increase its cooperation with CITEL. "The world needs global standards, and we are happy to work with TIA/CITEL to help develop those standards," says Bart.
Also, TIA and CITEL plan to cooperate on a conference to include participation by the International Telecommunication Union, among other regional telecommunications organizations, as well as the private sector. The goal of the conference is to enhance regional and regulatory initiatives to stimulate commercial and business relationships in telecommunications that will lead to network modernization and infrastructure deployment.
The main areas of cooperation include activities involving CITEL's Permanent Consultative Committee I, on public telecommunications services, as well as Permanent Consultative Committee III, on radio communications.