On May 17, 1865, International Telegraph Union, which is the mother of current International Telecommunications Union (ITU), was established in Paris by the 20 founding members to facilitate international telegraph interconnection, adopted uniform telegraph operating instructions which would apply to all countries, and laid down common international tariff and accounting rules [1]. The name of the Union was changed to International Telecommunication Union at the 1932 Madrid Conference, and today, the new name reflects the overall scope of the Union’s responsibilities from all forms of wireline and wireless communications [2].
According to ITU, its central role can be defined as the promotion and co-ordination of programmes to accelerate the transfer of appropriate technologies to developing countries and to stimulate co-operation between the public and private sectors to create technologies suited to the needs of developing countries [3].
The overall structure of ITU can be divided into three main sectors including Telecommunication Development (ITU-D), Radiocommunication (ITU-R), and Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T). Each sectors of the union can be distinguished by their unique activities. The activities of the three sectors are as follows:
· ITU-D: The activities include “the preparation of recommendations, opinions, guidelines, handbooks, manuals and reports, which provide decision-makers in developing countries with best business practices relating to a host of issues ranging from development strategies and policies to network management [4].”
· ITU-R: The activities include reporting of the technical characteristics of communication services and systems with developing of operational procedures. According to ITU, ITU-R also undertakes the important technical studies which serve as a basis for the regulatory decisions made at radiocommunication conference [5].
· ITU-T: The activities include the preparation of the technical specifications for telecommunication systems such as their performance and maintenance. In addition, “the activities cover the tariff principles and accounting methods used to provide international service. [6]”
According to ITU, its central role can be defined as the promotion and co-ordination of programmes to accelerate the transfer of appropriate technologies to developing countries and to stimulate co-operation between the public and private sectors to create technologies suited to the needs of developing countries [3].
The overall structure of ITU can be divided into three main sectors including Telecommunication Development (ITU-D), Radiocommunication (ITU-R), and Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T). Each sectors of the union can be distinguished by their unique activities. The activities of the three sectors are as follows:
· ITU-D: The activities include “the preparation of recommendations, opinions, guidelines, handbooks, manuals and reports, which provide decision-makers in developing countries with best business practices relating to a host of issues ranging from development strategies and policies to network management [4].”
· ITU-R: The activities include reporting of the technical characteristics of communication services and systems with developing of operational procedures. According to ITU, ITU-R also undertakes the important technical studies which serve as a basis for the regulatory decisions made at radiocommunication conference [5].
· ITU-T: The activities include the preparation of the technical specifications for telecommunication systems such as their performance and maintenance. In addition, “the activities cover the tariff principles and accounting methods used to provide international service. [6]”
Structure of ITU
Each sectors of ITU has their own mission. The missions of the three sectors are as follows:
• ITU-D: The mission of ITU-D is to achieve the situation that everyone of the world can communicate each other through access to infrastructure and information and communication services [7].
• ITU-R: The mission of the ITU-R is to ensure rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, and to carry out studies and adopt recommendations on radiocommunication matters [8].
• ITU-T: The mission of the ITU-T is to be the unique worldwide venue for industry and government to work together in developing, adopting, providing and promoting global consensus-based telecommunication recommendations (standards) for the information society [9].
Reference
[1] International Telecommunication Union. “History”
Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/overview/history.html , Jan. 11, 2007 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[2] International Telecommunication Union. “History”
Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/overview/history.html , Jan. 11, 2007 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[3] International Telecommunication Union. “Role of ITU”
Internet: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ecdc/role.html , Aug. 28, 2001 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[4] International Telecommunication Union. “Role and Work of the Union- (ITU-D)”
Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/overview/role-work.html , Nov. 15, 2004 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[5] International Telecommunication Union. “Role and Work of the Union- (ITU-R)”
Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/overview/role-work.html , Nov. 15, 2004 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[6] International Telecommunication Union. “Role and Work of the Union- (ITU-T)”
Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/overview/role-work.html , Nov. 15, 2004 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[7] International Telecommunication Union. “The Telecom. Development Sector Mission-(ITU-D)” Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/strategic_plans/04-07/d_mission.html , Jan. 14, 2004 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[8] International Telecommunication Union. “The Telecom. Development Sector Mission-(ITU-R)” Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/strategic_plans/04-07/r_mission.html , Jan. 14, 2004 [Jan. 25, 2007]
[9] International Telecommunication Union. “The Telecom. Development Sector Mission-(ITU-T)” Internet: http://www.itu.int/aboutitu/strategic_plans/04-07/t_mission.html , Jan. 14, 2004 [Jan. 25, 2007]
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