The VIII meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committee II (CCP II) of the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) is being carried out through Friday in the Venezuelan city of Puerto Ordaz. The CCP II, organized by the coordination of norms related to the use of radioelectric spectrum, satellite orbits and Radiocommunications services, is headed by Alvin Lezama and as alternate Mikhail Marsiglia, both from the National Telecommunications Commission (COANTEL) of Venezuela.

During the opening of the event, Lezama referred to a development model that the Venezuelan government of president Hugo Chávez is promoting and assured that, “the radioelectric spectrum is not an asset, however a benefit of all the Venezuelan people”. The head of the CONATEL explained that at the moment, only 22 municipalities of the country concentrate 35% of the telecommunications centrals and 58% of radiobases, all in the north and center areas. For that, CONATELs objective will be to take telecommunications to the country’s southern area. Lezama expressed, “We are not concentrating on only granting spectrum with exclusive characteristics, but where it is needed and where the telecommunications services is guaranteed”.

On the other hand, Lezama promised to present a document on the potency of electric lines, which reveals elements that have not been covered and the areas to work on to guarantee that this new form of telecommunications does not interfere with HF services like the citizen band. In addition, CONATEL will present another report on digital TV and the possibilities of the three standards for Venezuela. And lastly, CONATELs team is currently evaluating the application of regulations on the limits of  non-ionizing radiations and establish security norms that radiobases and antennas should respect as well as the minimum distance between antennas and the population. Lezama also underlined, “the voice of the public should always be present in debates concerning the radioelectric, satellites and digital TV spectrums”.

Clovis Batista, executive secretary of CITEL, expressed that the Organization of American States (OAS) admitted that the sector is performing a strategic role in economic, social and cultural development of the countries as well as is working to achieve more inclusion and social well-being. Batista also added, to fulfill with that responsibility the CITEL, which depends of the OAS, creates recommendations and guidelines to establish policies and regulations that promote technological innovation, network security and service applications.

Venezuela is beginning the second consecutive term of the CCPII. According to Lezama, this is Venezuela’s first experience heading such an important instance that deals with Radiocommunications and radio broadcasting issues. At the moment, Venezuela is set to win a third term on the CCP II.