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Foundations for international cooperation and communications
The establishment of the International Telegraph Union marked a turning point in global communication. For the first time, countries came together to coordinate and regulate a rapidly evolving technology—not for war or political alliances, but for the benefit of society.
1865
The International Telegraph Union is born
From 1 March to 17 May 1865, representatives from 20 sovereign states gathered in Paris, France, at the first International Telegraph Conference to address the challenges of cross-border telegraphic communication. The result was the creation of the International Telegraph Union, the first international organization dedicated to regulating and improving technology on a global scale —and the beginning of today’s ITU. This moment signalled a new era of cooperation, demonstrating that technological progress required shared standards and joint efforts.
Another significant outcome of the 1865 conference was the adoption of a unified set of international telegraph regulations, which harmonized tariffs, procedures, and technology across Europe and as far as its borders with Asia and Africa. This early experience in managing cross-border communications by telegraph laid the foundation for the regulation of future technologies all over the world.ITU conferences remain a forum where all member countries (now 194 worldwide) meet on an equal footing and have a voice in shaping the future of telecommunications and digital technologies.
A selection of signed pages from the first International Telegraph Convention, 1865. After two and a half months of negotiations, the first International Telegraph Convention was approved and signed by the 20 participating states, marking the birth of ITU.
Delegates discuss the future siting of transmitters at the first ITU conference on radio and television planning in Africa, held in 1963. For 160 years, ITU has brought together member countries and experts to find equitable solutions for access to telecommunications systems and technologies.
A delegate casts her vote during the 2018 Plenipotentiary Conference. Amid conflicts, pandemics, humanitarian crises, and economic uncertainties, ITU has continued shaping the future of telecommunications technologies, bridging divides and reducing inequalities through multilateral cooperation and consensus.
1869
Creating a permanent hub for technological cooperation
Recognizing the need for continuous coordination, the newly formed organization established its International Bureau in Bern, Switzerland, in 1869. This central secretariat played a crucial role in collecting, organizing, and distributing data, information and insights among member states and beyond, ensuring that telecommunication policies and innovations were widely available and understood.
The ITU secretariat relocated from Bern to Geneva in 1948. Gathering and sharing information continues to be a core responsibility of the secretariat, which helps support the development and adoption of communications technologies worldwide.
A sketch of the monument erected in Bern, Switzerland, for the 50th anniversary of the International Telegraph Union and a photograph of the present-day monument Connecting the world has been at the heart of ITU’s work from the start. The secretariat shares updates on telecommunication policies and innovations, as well as about ITU’s work.
Two radiocommunication engineers admire their article in an issue of the Telecommunication Journal. A monthly ITU journal provided news, statistics and ITU updates, along with articles contributed by members.
You may visit ITU Hub at itu.int/hub The former ITU journal has evolved into a news blog. Today’s ITU also shares regular updates through social media.
1885
Enabling real-time communications
Beyond ensuring the smooth operation of the telegraph across national borders, the 1865 convention influenced how new communication technologies, such as the telephone and radio, would be handled.
Another milestone ITU conference in 1885 established the first international telephone regulations, which were eventually followed by the first regulations for wireless telegraphy (i.e., radio communications) in 1906.
These early regulatory frameworks provided a durable model for managing cross-border communication, a principle still crucial for today’s digital networks.
Today, ITU is the key organization overseeing telecommunications regulation at the global level. As technology evolves, international regulation must keep pace for telecommunications systems to operate seamlessly across borders, maximize their reach and efficiency, and benefit the most users.
ITU strives to ensure that regulations create an enabling environment for the development of telecommunications in the public interest and ensure equitable resource management.
A German telegraph operator (left) sends a message to a French operator (right) who receives it. Their work is facilitated by harmonized language and equipment courtesy of international regulations. Ever since the first telegraph and telephone regulations, ITU has helped ensure that everyone benefits from access to global networks, technologies, and services.
ITU staff assembling the 1982 edition of the Radio Regulations. With the advent of wireless telegraphy, also known as “radiocommunication,” ITU established the world’s first set of regulations on the use of radio. This key treaty, subsequently expanded and updated by numerous ITU radio conferences, remains in effect as today’s Radio Regulations.
Delegates at a brainstorming session during GSR-24 in Kampala, Uganda. ITU continues to support policymakers and regulators across the globe, facilitating dialogue and cooperation through events like the annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) and promoting knowledge exchange with tools like the Digital Regulation Platform.