International Telecommunication Union Committed To Connect The World Syed Bilal Raza Tirmizi 06TL44

Introduction ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues ITU is committed to connecting the world ITU is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and its membership includes 191 Member States and more than 700 Sector Members and Associates

ITU’s History Founded in Paris in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union ITU took its present name — the International Telecommunication Union — in 1934 In 1947, became a specialized agency of the United Nations Nominated by leading international consultant Booz Allen Hamilton in 2002 as one of the world’s topmost enduring institutions

A New Industry Evolves 1903 Radio conference- to study the question of international regulations for radiotelegraph communications The first International Radiotelegraph Conference held in 1906 in Berlin signed the first International Radiotelegraph Convention International Telephone Consultative Committee (CCIF, set up in 1924) the International Telegraph Consultative Committee (CCIT, set up in 1925 )

A New Industry Evolves(2) In 1927, the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) was established at a conference held in Washington D.C At the 1932 Madrid Conference, the Union decided to combine the International Telegraph Convention of 1865 and the International Radiotelegraph Convention of 1906 to form the International Telecommunication Convention

A Modern Approach In 1947, after the Second World War, ITU held a conference in Atlantic City with the aim of developing and modernizing the organization. Under an agreement with the newly created United Nations 1948-the International Frequency Registration Board (IFRB) was established to coordinate the increasingly complicated task of managing the radio-frequency spectrum 1948-the Table of Frequency Allocations, introduced in 1912, was declared mandatory.

A Modern Approach(2) In 1956, the CCIT and the CCIF were merged to form the International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee (CCITT) 1959, CCIR set up a study group responsible for studying space radio communication Extraordinary Administrative Conference for space communications was held in 1963 in Geneva to allocate frequencies to the various space services

A Modern Approach(3) In 1992, allocations were made for the first time to serve the needs of a new kind of space service using non-geostationary satellites, known as Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) The same year, spectrum was identified for IMT-2000, the ITU-developed next-generation global standard for digital mobile telephony

ITU Mission Bringing the benefits of ICT to all the world’s inhabitants ITU’s mission is to enable the growth and sustained development of telecommunications and information networks ITU assists in mobilizing the technical, financial and human resources needed to make this vision a reality A key priority lies in bridging the so called Digital Divide by building information and communication infrastructure ITU also concentrates on strengthening emergency communications for disaster prevention and mitigation.

Role In Global Communication ITU successfully regulated worldwide use of the radio-frequency spectrum, ensuring all international wireless communications remain interference-free to ensure the relay of vital information and economic data around the world. ITU also fosters the deployment of telecommunications in developing countries by advising on development policies, regulatory frameworks and strategies

Role In Global Communication(2) The Union’s consensus-based approach gives a voice to all its members and its work helps deploy infrastructure, achieve connectivity, and provide efficient telecommunication services worldwide ITU's biggest achievement is undoubtedly the pivotal role it has played in the creation of the international telecommunications network

ITU Regional Presence ITU currently manages a network of eleven field offices. These include regional offices in Addis Ababa (for Africa), Brasilia (for Americas), Cairo (for the Arab States), Bangkok (for Asia and Pacific) and Moscow (for Europe and CIS countries) and a number of area offices in each of these regions ITU field offices provide support for all Union activities, helping implement its strategic and policy objectives through direct, sustained contact with national authorities, regional telecommunication organizations and other relevant bodies

ITU Regional Presence(2) They also assist developing and least developed countries to meet their development goals In addition to providing technical and logistical support to development activities, field offices fulfill the basic functions of the development sector as a specialized and executing agency, resource mobilizer and information centre

ITU Regional Presence(3) ITU's regional presence serves also to assist the ITU General Secretariat, the ITU-R and the ITU-T in fulfilling their missions by: promoting their work, representing them at regional and national events representing ITU's elected officials at regional events expressing the visions and the needs of the countries in the different domains of activities and proposing actions for responding to their needs

ITU’s Membership Membership of ITU is open to governments, which may join the Union as Member States as well as to private organizations Membership of ITU gives governments and private organizations the opportunity to play an active role in the organization, which can boast more than 140 years’ experience in building the world’s communications networks.

ITU’s Membership(2) Direct involvement in the work of ITU gives all members a chance to influence, learn and play a part in forging a new world for a new millennium ITU Sector Members also develop the technical standards which will underpin future telecommunication systems and shape tomorrow’s networks and services Because of its unique role and track record in worldwide telecommunications, ITU provides the ideal forum for governments and the private sector to come together to set agendas and policy frameworks that will have tremendous impact on the future of global business.

Finances The Union’s main source of financing is the contributions of its Member States, which account for 67.3% of the overall budget income from cost recovery for services like the sale of publications, project execution, satellite notifications (15.1% ) other income, such as withdrawals from the Reserve Account and income from interest (5.3% of total funding)

Development Sector The ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) was established to help spread equitable, sustainable and affordable access to information and communication technologies (ICT) Acting as a promoter and catalyst for ICT development, ITU-D engages with government leaders and the international donor community to find the right balance between public and private investment ITU-D assists Member States in elaborating targeted national e-strategies, including in the areas of e-government and e-learning

Development Sector(2) ITU-D offers widely referenced, reliable statistics on trends and developments in the ICT field and organizes study groups on key questions facing governments and industry ITU-D provides a unique one-stop service for governments and private sector companies interested in forging new development partnerships, by identifying “win-win” opportunities for collaboration, and linking external partners with experienced ITU project specialists to ensure successful project implementation

Development Sector(3) ITU-D’s activities, policies and strategic direction are determined by governments and shaped by the industry its serves The Development Sector’s diverse membership includes telecommunication policy-makers and regulators, network operators, equipment manufacturers, hardware and software developers, regional standards development organizations and financing institutions

Radio Communications Sector Managing the international radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources is at the heart of the work of the ITU Radio communication Sector (ITU-R) Major tasks of ITU-R also include developing standards for radio communication systems, ensuring the effective use of the radio-frequency spectrum and studies concerning the development of radio communication systems ITU-R further carries out studies for the development of radio communication systems used in disaster mitigation and relief operations

Radio Communications Sector(2) The ITU Radio Regulations, and particularly its Table of Frequency Allocations, have been revised and updated almost regularly in view of the enormous demand for spectrum utilization Through its various activities covering the implementation of Radio Regulations to the establishment of recommendations and guidelines on the usage of radio systems and spectrum/orbit resources, ITU-R plays a vital role in the global management of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits

Standardization Sector ITU-T standards (known as Recommendations) are the bedrock underpinning the modern information and communication networks that serve as the lifeblood of virtually every economic activity For manufacturers, they facilitate access to global markets and allow for economies of scale in production and distribution ITU-T has adopted a very proactive stance when it comes to working with other standards organizations, from large industry entities to smaller single-technology groups

Standardization Sector(2) ITU-T plays a central and critical role in ushering in the new converged environment ITU-T coordinates global efforts, promotes technical excellence and impartiality in standards development, and builds the consensus needed to ensure that new technologies and equipment are embraced worldwide 

ITU Telecom ITU TELECOM began life in 1971 when the first event was held in Geneva, Switzerland ITU TELECOM brings together the top names from across the ICT industry as well as ministers and regulators and many more for a major exhibition, a high-level forum and a host of other opportunities ITU TELECOM offers a number of other services such as sponsorship and visibility packages to help companies maximize their event participation

ITU Telecom(2) It also includes the Telecommunication Development Symposium, a special convention aimed at boosting ICT capacity in least-developed and low-income ITU Member States ITU TELECOM also features an extensive presence of government ministers and regulators, as well as a significant number of global and regional media organizations

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