With the little time remaining, contingency planning becomes critical. Already individual carriers have plans to safeguard themselves, such as providing services to business customers on the basis of service contracts that limit their liability. However, with few exceptions, the telecommunications industry has done little collaboratively. Through the consortium, the company has been working with other carriers through sharing of information solutions. This database identifies services available for contingency arrangements in countries with Y2K vulnerability.
Developed countries are well positioned to handle the millennium crisis.
The fragility, in fact, lies in the portion of telecommunications networks managed by less developed nations. The World Bank has field Y2K representatives in every country advising developing nations on contingency arrangements. Meanwhile, developed nations and international organizations should establish contact through diplomatic channels with countries where PTTs and carriers are vulnerable to the date change. Effective information sharing on Y2K preparedness is vital to avoiding massive disruptions in global telecommunications.