The Telecommunication Standardization Sector mission

Under the provisions of the Constitution and Convention (Geneva, 1992), the mission of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector is to fulfil the purposes of the Union relating to telecommunication standardization by studying technical, operating and tariff questions and adopting Recommendations on them with a view to standardizing telecommunications on a worldwide basis.

Taking account of rapid change in the telecommunication environment, the mission of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector for the period of 1999-2003 will include:

	maintaining and strengthening its pre-eminence in international telecommunication standardization by developing Recommendations rapidly, for example through increased Sector Member participation and use in appropriate cases of a faster alternative approval process;
	developing Recommendations that acknowledge market- and trade-related considerations;
	playing a leading role in the promotion of cooperation among international and regional standardization organizations and forums and consortia concerned with telecommunications;
	addressing important issues related to changes due to competition, tariff principles and accounting practices; and
	developing Recommendations for new technologies and applications such as appropriate aspects of the GII and global multimedia and mobility.

The Telecommunication Standardization Sector environment

The mission is to be undertaken in an environment characterized by:

	an era of explosive growth in worldwide information transfer;
	rapid technological change and shortened innovation cycles, development and convergence of telecommunication, broadcasting, computer and information technology, and the growth of new products and services;
	a worldwide trend towards a "market-driven" approach to standardization, with an emphasis on rapid implementation of high-quality Recommendations;
	the changing role of governments, and the increased involvement of Sector Members, in the standardization process;
	the strong influence of relevant regional standardization organizations and forums and consortia;
	an increased number of network operators and service providers due to deregulation and/or privatization;
	increasing privatization and heightened competition between and among network operators, service providers and equipment suppliers;
	increasing number of global telecommunication operators, systems and alliances;
	greatly increasing demand of developing countries for infrastructure development;
	potential changes to the financial resources available to support Sector activities.