International Telecommunication Union - ITU

International Telecommunication Union, also known as ITU is a specialized agency of United Nations for information and communication technologies. ITU allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits to promote and facilitate international connectivity and networking. ITU also lays down international standards for technology usage to improve connectivity and technology. It has 3 main aims which are:

1. Achieving international cooperation for development and proper use of all types of international telecommunications.

2. Ensuring technical facilities to raise efficiency in telecommunication services and increase their utility.

3. Harmonizing activities of the member states to achieve the above mentioned objectives.

 

 

International Telecommunication Union was earlier known as International Telegraph Union and was established on 17th May, 1865. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and currently has 193 member states and membership taken by many businesses, academic institutions and international and regional organizations for working together which are called Sector Members. During its reconstruction and restructuring in the Plenipotentiary Conference of 1992, ITU’s work was divided into 3 main sectors which are explained as follows:


1. Radio Communication

Radio Communication sector of ITU is also known as ITU-R which was established in 1927 as International Radio Consultative Committee. ITU–R manages and monitors international radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources.


2. Standardization

Standardization sector of ITU was established in 1956 as International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee and this sector performs the main function of ITU which is, setting standards for all global communications except radio technology. The Standardization work is undertaken by Study Groups, such as Study Group 13 on Networks and Study Group 16 on Multimedia. The apex body of the Study Groups is the quadrennial World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly. New work areas can be developed in Focus Groups, such as the Focus Group on Machine Learning for 5G and the ITU-WHO Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health. This sector of ITU is also called ITU-T.



3. Development

Development sector of ITU focuses on sustainable, equitable and affordable access to information and communication technologies. This department is also known as ITU-D which is the secretariat for Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.

Lastly, ITU Telecom sector organizes events for the telecom community organizations and institutions.

 

ITU has gone through tremendous changes in its structure throughout these years and now has Constitution and Convention of International Telecommunication Union to be abided by all its members. ITU also has, Optional Protocol on the settlement of disputes, the Decisions, Resolutions and Recommendations in force, as well as the General Rules of Conferences, Assemblies and Meetings of the Union.

ITU is governed by its Plenipotentiary Conference which comprises of representation from all 193 members which meets once in every 4 years to decide long term goals, plans, direction and activities for ITU for the next four years. It also has a 48 member Council (elected by Plenipotentiary Council) which acts as ITU’s governing body. Council oversees smooth operation of the Union, implementation of policies and plans laid down by Plenipotentiary Council, address broad telecommunication issues etc.

Secretariat of International Telecommunication Union consists of a Secretary General of ITU elected by Plenipotentiary Council for renewable four year tenure. Secretary General oversees the daily operations, manages the staff of ITU and acts as the legal representative of ITU.

ITU was one of the UN agencies in charge for organizing the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), in collaboration with UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP. The Summit was held as two conferences in 2003 and 2005 in Geneva and Tunis, respectively, with the aim of bridging the digital divide.

The current regulatory configuration was based on voice telecommunications, when the Internet was still in its pre mature stage. In 1988, telecommunications operated under regulated monopolies in most countries. As the Internet has grown, organizations such as ICANN have come into existence to manage key resources such as Internet addresses and Domain Names.