Participation in the activities of the Sector(s) of which you are Member

You can influence a great variety of Sector activities, firstly by participating actively in the work of its conferences or assemblies, Study Groups, working parties and expert groups, seminars, round tables, colloquia and workshops; secondly by presenting your views, either orally or in written format the preparatory stage of decisions and all throughout the consensus building process, which leads to the production of the Recommendations, Resolutions or other policy guidelines. You will have access to all documentation concerning the preparatory work and can share your knowledge and experience with other Members, to the benefit of the Sector and the ITU as a whole.

Your representatives may also be called upon to exercise the functions of chairperson or vice-chairperson of a study group, working party, expert group, rapporteur group, etc.

Participation in the Conference and/or Assembly of the Sector

As a Sector Member, you may by right participate in and submit written contributions to its Conference (other than those empowered to conclude legal instruments having a treaty status) to its assemblies and meetings. You may take part in the discussions within those groups and, with the exception of matters concerning the structure and functioning of the Union (which is the responsibility of ITU Plenipotentiary Conference), you may propose items for inclusion in the respective agendas.

A significant amount of the Union's work is carried out through the Sectors’ Study Groups, which comprise experts representing a broad range of interests, from the world's leading equipment makers to large and small carriers and National Administrations and to various scientific and technical organizations.

A major output of ITU Study Groups ranges from new or improved telecommunication standards for telecommunication networks, services and equipment to technical criteria for the interoperability of radiocommunication services. Known as Recommendations these represent the basis for the design of international wireline and radio networks and equipment, and for related spectrum management issues. A notable example is the 3rd generation of mobile systems. Other output includes handbooks and supplements on topical issues.

The ITU's ability to bring together representatives from competing companies and governments of all ideological persuasions is perhaps its greatest strength. The broad membership base of the Union and the consensus approach taken by its Study Groups ensure that future developments benefit from a wealth of experience and creative ideas from representatives of leading entities in the field of telecommunications around the world. The establishment of partnership between private and public sector has to play an increasingly important role for the ITU in the implementation of telecommunication development activities so that new technologies reach all parts of the world.

Close cooperation with other Sector Members and new opportunities

As a Sector Member, you may benefit from the impartial, universal and global nature of the International Telecommunication Union. You will have access to various meetings at which decision-makers and potential partners are engaged in discussions that can result in business opportunities and joint ventures, and you will participate in creating the new environment needed to address the constantly changing and evolving telecommunication scene. You can be associated with the organization and co-sponsorship of seminars and workshops, providing experts and lecturers, training facilities, etc.

All such contacts represent an invaluable means of establishing a common understanding among potential business partners, national administrations and other Sector Members.

Direct benefits

• Access to publications, documents, information and statistics.
• In addition to publicly-available information such as that found on the ITU Website, Member States and Sector Members have also access to a large volume of restricted data such as draft documents, statistics, development plans, training modules, etc.
• As a Sector Member, you will receive the invitations with related documentation to all ITU events (information on new publications, circular letters, vacancy notices, Notifications by Member States and Sector Members, information bulletins, etc). You will be given a TIES (Telecom Information Exchange Services) account that allows you to access restricted databases, documents and technical databases.
• Discounts of 15% off the catalogue price are granted to all ITU Sector Members on the purchase of any ITU Publication (except those available from the ITU Electronic Bookshop).