The Study Groups of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) assemble
experts from around the world to develop international standards known as
ITU-T Recommendations which act as defining elements in the
global infrastructure of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Standards
are critical to the interoperability of ICTs and whether we exchange
voice, video or data messages, standards enable global communications by
ensuring that countries’ ICT networks and devices are speaking the same
language.
International
ICT standards avoid costly market battles over preferred technologies, and for
companies from emerging markets, they create a level playing field which
provides access to new markets. They are an essential aid to developing
countries in building their infrastructure and encouraging economic
development, and through economies of scale, they can reduce costs for all:
manufacturers, operators and consumers.
From its
inception in 1865, ITU-T has driven a contribution-led, consensus-based approach
to standards development in which all countries and companies, no matter how
large or small, are afforded equal rights to influence the development of ITU-T
Recommendations. From its beginnings as a body standardizing international telegraph
exchange, through its formative role in telecommunications, and in today’s
converged ICT ecosystem, ITU-T has provided the world’s best facilities to the
global standardization community and remains the world’s only truly global ICT standards
body.
Based at ITU’s
headquarters in Geneva, the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) provides secretariat support to ITU-T
Study Groups through sophisticated electronic working methods and
state-of-the-art facilities in Geneva accommodating the six official languages
of the Union – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Headed by
an elected official with the title Director, it is the body responsible for providing
cohesion to ITU-T’s standards development process.