RIPE NCC and CEPT Com-ITU Sign Letter of Understanding

The RIPE NCC and the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) Committee for ITU Policy (Com-ITU) have signed a Letter of Understanding to continue their cooperation and coordination on discussions relating to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

RIPE NCC Managing Director Axel Pawlik and CEPT Com-ITU Chair Marcin Krasuski signed the LoU at a meeting of the Com-ITU in Lisbon Portugal on Wednesday, 23 September 2015.

Originally established in 1959, CEPT is a body made up of 48 member countries from across Europe, represented by national regulators and ministries. The Com-ITU is a sub-committee of the group that focuses on CEPT member country coordination on ITU-related discussions.

The RIPE NCC has been participating regularly as an Observer in Com-ITU meetings since early 2012, initially as part of the lead-up to the World Conference on International Telecommunications, or WCIT. Both sides found the cooperation useful and the RIPE NCC has participated in Com-ITU meetings since that time. This LoU formalises the relationship between the RIPE NCC and Com-ITU, including the RIPE NCC's Observer status in Com-ITU events.

This relationship is particularly important as we look ahead to major ITU events such as the next World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly in 2016 and the ongoing convergence of telecommunication and Internet technologies more generally.

The meeting was also saw the election of a new Chair of the CEPT Com-ITU. Manuel da Costa Cabral, External Affairs Expert with ANACOM, the Portuguese regulator, was elected by the CEPT member countries to serve as Chair going forward from the conclusion of the Lisbon meeting.