WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION (ITU)? What is ITU ? Founded in Paris in 1865 as the International Tele-graph a Radiocommunication Sector; a Telecommunication Standardization Sector; a Telecommunication Development Sector; a General Secretariat (including Telecom). Radiocommunication The role of the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and eco-nomical Union, the International Telecommunication Union took its present name in 1934 and became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1947. ITU is an intergovernmental organization, within which the public and private sectors cooperate for the development of telecommunications worldwide. In essence, the Union’s mission covers the follow-ing use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all domains: radiocommunication services, including those using the geostationary-satellite orbit, and to carry out studies on all frequency ranges without limitation on the basis of which recommendations are adopted. a technical domain – to promote the development, efficient operation, usefulness and general availability of telecommunication facilities and services; The decision-making functions of the Radiocom-munication a development domain – to promote the devel-opment Sector are performed by Radiocommu-nication of telecommunications in developing Conferences. World Radiocommunication countries and the extension of the benefits of telecommunications to people everywhere; Conferences are held every two to three years to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regula-tions, a policy domain – to promote the adoption of a the international treaty governing the use of broader approach to the issues of telecommu-nications the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary and non-geostationary satellite orbits. Radiocommu-nication in the global information economy and society. Assemblies (RA) are responsible for approv-ing the programme of technical work, for setting up ITU comprises 191 Member States, 558 Sector Members and 146 Associates (scientific or industrial organizations, public and private operators, broad-casters, the structures required to carry out this work, for making work assignments (including conference preparatory work and radiocommunication stud-ies), regional/international organizations). and for determining the priority, urgency and timeframe for completion of studies. The technical work is carried out by expert groups called “Study Groups”. Standardization The duties of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) are to study technical and operating questions and to issue recommendations (de facto standards) to foster seamless interconnection of the world’s telecommunication networks and sys-tems. What does ITU consist of ? The Union comprises: The Plenipotentiary Conference, the supreme authority of the Union composed of delega-tions from the Union’s Member States. Pleni-potentiary conferences are held every four years to adopt the underlying policies of the organization and determine its structure and activities; The Sector is also being called upon to forge the Council, composed of 46 Members of new standards for the interoperability of equipment from once-disparate realms (telecommunication broadcasting and computing) and facilitate the development of a new world of multimedia-based communications in a converged environment. the Union which acts on behalf of the Pleni-potentiary Conference and meets annually to consider broad telecommunication policy issues in order to ensure that the Union’s policies and strategies fully respond to today’s dynamic telecommunication environment. It also prepares a report on the policy and stra-tegic The Sector also adopts recommendations on tariff and accounting principles for international telecommunication planning of ITU. In addition, the Council services and considers policy is responsible for ensuring the efficient coor-dination issues related to carriage and content. (Technical or operating questions specifically related to radio-communications of the Union’s work (monitoring work programmes, approving budgets and control-ling come within the purview of the finances and expenditure); Radiocommunication Sector.) world conferences on international telecom-munications, The decision-making functions of the Telecommu-nication which meet according to needs, Standardization Sector fall within the man-date to establish the general principles which relate to the provision and operation of international telecommunication services offered to the public; of World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies which also adopt the work programme and determine the timeframe for completion of work relating to the preparation of standards.