Technology Watch was created following a decision by the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-04) in October 2004.

Technology Watch identifies and surveys emerging technologies, as well as their likely impact on future standardization work for both developed and developing countries, with a view to identifying work items for possible new ITU-T Recommendations.

Further to Resolutions 22 i) and 22 resolves 1 g) of WTSA-04, a Technology Watch Correspondence Group was established to act as a mechanism to study emerging ICT technologies and to input its study results into corresponding ITU-T Study Groups as new work items for progression into international standards.

Technology Watch was formalized within the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau following Resolution 66 of WTSA-08 in October 2008.

Technology Watch works mainly through electronic means and publishes Technology Watch Reports. The output is provided to the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG), to related ITU-T Study Groups and to the Workshop and Seminar Coordination Group for their consideration and action in accordance with their mandates.