The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) will be hosting the "Next Generation Networks Standardization Forum" at the Hilton Colombo from April 7 – 10, 2009. This international event is to be held in association with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO)

This is the first time that all stakeholders in the intensely competitive local telecommunication industry have come together to participate in the international forum. This will be an ideal platform for Sri Lanka to showcase how far its telecommunication industry has developed in terms of capacity building and latest global technology on offer.

Speaking on this initiative, Priyantha Kariyapperuma, Director General, TRCSL said, "We are proud that we have been chosen to host this international event, which will focus on the major advancement via standardization in the context of the convergence of voice, data and internet services in the Asian region. Sri Lanka has world class communications infrastructure, enabling the country to remain well connected and globally competitive. We see the Next Generation Network (NGN) as a significant factor in the industry as it has heralded the shift from a "one network, one service" approach to the delivery of many services over a single network, which are based on Internet Protocol. This converged network builds on the expansion of broadband networks, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), fixed mobile convergence and IP television, all of which are available to the Sri Lankan consumer. That is a testament to what the telecommunication industry in Sri Lanka has achieved, being on par with the rest of the world."

The international forum will bring together experts from the ITU, officials from the government and regulatory agencies as well as industry leaders who are actively involved in the approval, monitoring, manufacturing, planning and deployment of next generation communications equipment and services.