Archived Newsroom

Standardization, spectrum and beyond

Whether shaping its networks, standards and technologies, or managing the spectrum on which wireless technologies depend, ITU has been a key figure in the development of mobile. From the days of the earliest NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephony) networks to the latest advanced wireless technology, ITU has operated effectively centre stage as well as behind the scenes to help bring the social and economic benefits of mobile connectivity to millions of people around the world.

And this is just the beginning. Whether it’s in the form of one of ITU’s many Study Groups, helping broker ground-breaking agreements on next-generation mobile or set standards for fixed mobile convergence, or through one of its major events such as the WTDC (World Telecommunication Development Conference, taking place in Hyderabad in May 2010), the WSIS Forum (10-14 May, Geneva) or ITU Telecom World, held last year and coming up next in 2011, ITU brings together the people that matter to shape the ICT landscape.

In today’s economic climate, staying ahead of change is critical, and ITU is spearheading work on many major issues facing the mobile industry. From the need to reach out to new users, to the next generation of seamless wireless services, or the importance of building a safe and sustainable world for future generations, ITU remains at the cutting edge of innovation. ITU continues to press the ICT industry to continue to invest in infrastructure and the roll out of cost-effective services, such as next-generation networks.

Empowering Users Worldwide

Mobile is already firmly entrenched as the predominant mode of telephony in many developing countries, where its benefits are manifold. It can be used to power applications such as SMS, providing simple and innovative solutions for making payments or cash transfers, receiving commodity prices and enabling more efficient distribution for local producers. ITU is working in the field to promote access in many ways, in partnership with key stakeholders such as the African Development Bank, European Commission or Nokia Siemens Networks.

Emergency or Disaster Situations

Mobile technology has a crucial role to play within the field of emergency telecommunications, where it can be used or quickly deployed in the immediate aftermath of disasters to provide a timely flow of critical information, particularly for those living in remote or isolated areas. Immediately after the recent earthquake in Haiti, ITU moved to deploy satellite terminals to re-establish basic communications links, plus further units with broadband facility, while developing long term plans to re-build a state of the art communications network. ITU works with key industry partners such as Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, ICO Global Communications, Vizada, TerreStar Global, FedEx and Qualcomm to deploy emergency telecommunications in the parts of the world where they are needed most.

Driving New Applications

Easy to use and available to provide immediate ICT access, it is no wonder that mobile has become the technology of choice for many. Its rapid uptake paves the way for a wealth of increasingly sophisticated mobile applications, from M-payments to M-health and M-banking. As the recognized leader in new digital authentication systems that will be essential to building trust and confidence in online transactions, ITU has launched a Global Standards Initiative designed to develop a global digital identity management framework to assure worldwide interoperability.

Networks of Tomorrow

It is not just today’s technology that ITU is focusing on. Shaping the future of mobile telephony is also high on ITU’s agenda, and the concept of mobility has been a key focus of the global study of next-generation networks (NGN) by ITU and others in the last few years, with ITU approving key standards on the topic of fixed mobile convergence. Central to NGN is the concept of ‘nomadicity’, which will give fixed line and mobile users completely seamless communication. Invisible to the end user, the underlying technology would function in a multi-service, multi-protocol, multi-vendor environment and will merge the previously distinct worlds of fixed and mobile telecommunications.

Delivering such a powerful vision in a simple and reliable way to the end user requires a body which can facilitate agreements across multiple technologies, companies, regulatory and geographic boundaries. ITU is the international organization with the track record and access to deliver such a vision.

Systems Beyond 3G

To pave the way to a truly wireless world, ITU has been leading efforts across governments and industry to define the requirements and specifications for the cutting-edge systems known as IMT-Advanced, which will take the world beyond 3G. These systems will enable a raft of different wireless access technologies to be used alongside and to complement each other, helping achieve a universal, streamlined connectivity and a common and flexible service platform for different services and applications. Watch this space for content-rich, higher-mobility applications and an Internet that’s well and truly mobile.

ITU’s Strategic Commitment: Promoting a Cleaner, Greener Environment

Helping the world benefit from mobile services in an environmentally responsible way is one of ITU’s major goals. ITU is actively promoting energy-efficient devices and networks, as well as supporting the development of corresponding technical standards to limit and reduce the power requirements of ICT equipment and services.

But ITU isn’t just interested in reducing the environmental impact of mobile devices. It is also helping find ways to use mobile technologies to help people live more environmentally friendly lives — through, for example, remote collaboration, monitoring and sensing. In 2009, ITU gave its stamp of approval to an energy-efficient one-charger-fits-all new mobile phone solution. Based on input from the GSMA, the new UCS standard offers a 50 per cent reduction in standby energy consumption, the elimination of 51,000 tonnes of redundant chargers, and a subsequent reduction of 13.6 million tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year. ICTs clearly have a vital role to play in tackling climate change, a message that ITU was successful in delivering to delegates at the COP15 climate change talks in Copenhagen.