Recognising that without a strong coordination effort there is the danger of duplication of work as well as the development of incompatible and non-interoperable standards, the WTSA 2000 designated Study Group 15 as Lead Study Group on Optical Technology, with the mandate to:

• study the appropriate core Questions (Question 9, 11, 12, 14, and 16/15),
• define and maintain overall (standards) framework, in collaboration with other SGs and standards bodies), 
• coordinate, assign and prioritise the studies done by the Study Groups (recognising their mandates) to ensure the development of consistent, complete and timely Recommendations,

Study Group 15 entrusted WP 5/15, under Question 19/15, with the task to manage and carry out the Lead Study Group activities on Optical Technology. To maintain differentiation from the standardized Optical Transport Network (OTN) based on Recommendation G.872, this Lead Study Group Activity is titled Optical Transport Networks & Technologies (OTNT).

Scope
As the mandate of this Lead Study Group role implies, the standards area covered relates to optical transport networks and technologies. The optical transport functions include:

• multiplexing function
• cross connect function, including grooming and configuration
• management functions
• physical media functions.

The outcome of the Lead Study Group activities is twofold, consisting of a:

• standardization plan
• work plan,

written as a single document until such time as the distinct pieces warrant splitting it into two.

Apart from taking the Lead Study Group role within the ITU-T, Study Group 15 will also endeavour to cooperate with other relevant organizations, such as ETSI, Committee T1, ISO/IEC etc.

Abbreviations