ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)
ITU is the UN specialized agency for telecommunications. ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector
(ITU-T) embodies ITU's oldest activity — developing internationally-agreed technical and operating
standards (in ITU parlance, ITU-T Recommendations) and defining tariff and accounting principles for
international telecommunication services. ITU-T is the only standards organization where government and
industry work together to foster seamless interconnection of the world’s communication network and systems.
Taking into account the needs of developing countries, ITU-T is a forum for the worldwide dissemination of information
on new information and communication technologies.
Towards a new broadband global infrastructure
In the field of information communications technology (ICT), ITU-T is leading the way through standards
development efforts aimed at defining the building blocks of a new broadband global infrastructure. The
next generation network (NGN) is a key area of study for ITU-T as operators around the world look to
migrate to an IP-based infrastructure. The convergence between internet protocol (IP), public switched
telephone network (PSTN), digital subscriber line (DSL), cable television (CATV), wireless local area
network (WLAN) and mobile technologies is a task that many believe is impossible without the development
of global standards.Internet governance, cybersecurity and bridging the digital divide are also topics
that members have asked that ITU-T concentrate on in the coming years.
Meeting the Demands of Industry
With a majority of its membership from the private sector, ITU-T understands the crucial balance
between rapid delivery and stability in standards development. The Sector has already made great
progress in speeding-up time-to-market of its Recommendations, and continues to work hard to ensure
vital new standards are made available to the industry in the shortest possible time. Throughout the
course of every year, hundreds of experts gather at ITU meetings, contributing their time, know-how
and expertise to the study groups which develop ITU-T Recommendations. ITU-T currently produces around
210 Recommendations each year - representing one new or updated standard for every working day.
