REQUEST FOR POST TO IDENTIFY TELECOMMUNICATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 017143 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS ECON SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR POST TO IDENTIFY TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY OFFICERS STATE 00017143 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary. This is an Action Cable. The State Department has primary USG-wide authority for the conduct of foreign policy with respect to communications and information policy, and EEB's office of International Communications and Information Policy (CIP) is responsible for the formulation, coordination, and oversight of that policy. From mobile phones, to broadband to Internet governance, radio spectrum, satellite navigation, and broadcast television, and ranging from online child exploitation and cybersecurity, to cloud computing and online privacy, the issues that CIP handles are as dynamic as the Internet and modern communications technologies themselves. To support our efforts, CIP relies on each Post to designate am economics officer as its Telecommunications Policy Officers (TPO) who will work with CIP to advance U.S. policy interests. CIP is asking Posts to identify their TPO by cable to EEB/CIP by March 10. End summary. ¶2. Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have voiced their strong support for the use of information and communications technology (ICT) as both a driver of economic development at home and abroad, and a means for communicating and promoting U.S. values. U.S. companies are world leaders in ICT, and ICT is expected to lead the U.S. and world economies both in terms of innovation and as an engine of productivity. New industries like health IT and smart grids will create jobs and export opportunities in the near and long term. Working with our trading partners to increase these opportunities - and making sure that new barriers to such trade are not imposed -- is an important mission which the State Department can support both in bilateral and multilateral fora. ¶3. CIP advocates international policies for expanded access to ICT, improved efficiency in the worldwide ICT and telecommunications market through increased reliance on free-market forces, and fair opportunities for U.S. companies to participate in this important sector around the globe. An efficient global ICT and telecommunications structure creates a healthier environment for U.S. companies doing business in all sectors, improving the standard of living at home and abroad. Under the leadership of the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, Ambassador Philip L. Verveer, CIP has the responsibility of fulfilling the Congressional mandate that the State Department lead the coordination of international ICT policy among the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Trade Negotiator and other USG agencies. ¶4. The following is a brief overview of the CIP offices and the scope of their activities: - Multilateral Affairs (CIP/MA). The Office of Multilateral Affairs represents the full range of U.S. ICT and Telecom Policy interests in at multilateral fora including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU),the Internet Governance Forum (IGF),APEC, the Organization of American States and the OECD. Among the issues which CIP/MA tackles are questions of the allocation of radio spectrum in a world ever more hungry for bandwidth, a broad range of telecommunications and Internet-Protocol based standards such as smart-grid technology and Next Generation Networks, cybersecurity, and the maintenance of an open and free Internet. - Bilateral Affairs (CIP/BA). The Office of Bilateral and Regional Affairs works with bilateral and regional partners on issues such as market access overseas for U.S. industry commercial interests, cross-border coordination of radio, satellite and telephone communications with Canada and Mexico, the U.S. response to Google's allegations of cyber attacks coming from China, and Internet freedom where CIP/BA serves as EEB's lead for the Department's NetFreedom Task Force. CIP/BA organizes bilateral ICT dialogues and roundtables with key partners such as the European Union, India, China, Mexico, Brazil and Russia. It meets with U.S. industry and other stakeholders STATE 00017143 002.2 OF 002 regarding market access issues, website take-downs, and other disputes. - Technology and Security Policy (CIP/TS) The mission of the Office of Technology and Security Policy is to promote U.S. national policies concerning the protection if ICT services across cable, satellite and cyber networks, while ensuring that evolving technologies are considered during the development of national technology policies. CIP/TS also works with interagency and industry participants to defend sensitive U.S. technologies and to promote greater access to wireless communications worldwide. ¶5. CIP wants to hear from Posts regarding ICT and telecommunications developments in host countries, market-opening/liberalization actions, possible ICT- related trade barriers, actions against U.S. ICT companies, internet censorship, host country plans to expand broadband, satellite, digital television, and mobile phone access, the role of ICT in development, moves to establish new ICT standards and to protect or promote ICT innovation, and ways in which we can support your Mission's ICT policy objectives. With your input we will launch an online collaborative presence in the coming months. Please visit our OpenNet site: eeb.e.state.sbu/sites/cip/default.aspx, and our Internet site: www.state.gov/e/eeb/cip, to learn more about CIP. ¶6. Action Requested: Each post is requested to designate an officer who will serve as the Post's contact on ICT issues. Please notify EEB/CIP by cable with the name of the officer by March 10, 2010. Please be sure to use the ECPS tag line for this and other reporting on ICT issues. Post may contact EEB/CIP/BA: Deborah Kanarek at kanarekdj@state.gov with any questions. ¶7. Minimize considered. CLINTON