Summary about ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

ITU

Goal

The goals of the ITU are as follows:To maintain and promote international cooperation among member countries for the improvement and rational use of telecommunication;

• To encourage and provide technical support in telecommunication field to developing countries;

• To enhance information access;

• To enhance material, human and financial resources;

• To enhance the efficiency of telecommunication work;

• To increase usefulness, to develop technology facilities;

• To expand new telecommunication technology benefits to the public around the world; and

• To promote peaceful relations.

 

Work

ITU is responsible for developing and distributing rules and standards on wired and wireless communications, radio waves, broadcasting, satellite frequencies, etc., and for international coordination and cooperation. In addition, the main sectors of business are:

• Technical Assistance to Developing Countries

• Promoting Global Telecommunication Standardization

• To prevent harmful confusion among radio stations in each country, the efficient management and utilization of spectrum is enhanced.

 

Organization System (Department)

• Plenipotentiary Conference (PP)
  The ITU's highest decision-making meeting is held every four years to review and approve the ITU's accounting reports, determine the units to be shared by member countries, revise the ITU charter and agreements, general rules, resolutions and recommendations, etc. In addition, elected positions and board members, such as the Secretary-General, are elected through elections, and the overall activities of the ITU and the direction of policy and strategic planning are determined.

• World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT)
  WCIT is held irregularly according to the PP's decision, and is responsible for establishing general principles for international telecommunication services and means of international communication and amending the International Telecommunication Rules (ITRs) established to promote efficient operation.

• Council
  As a governing body within the authority delegated by the PP, it oversees overall management and administration and is held every year. The Council has four working division:

• General Secretariat of ITU
  The mission of the General Secretariat is to provide high-quality and efficient services to the membership of the Union. The General Secretariat manages the administrative and financial aspects of the Union’s activities, including the provision of conference services, planning and organization of major meetings, information services, security, strategic planning, and corporate functions such as: communications, legal advice, finance, personnel, procurement, internal audit, etc.​

• ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)
  ITU-R performs tasks to ensure the reasonable use of radio frequency spectra in radio communication tasks. The World Radio Communication Conference (WRC) for the expansion and adoption of radio frequency spectra and regional consensus is held every three to four years, and six research teams (SGs) are responsible for standardization activities for radio communication services and systems within the framework of Radio Wave Communication Conference (RA).

• ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)
  ITU-T is responsible for researching telecommunication-related technology, operation and fare problems, and adopting recommendations for global standardization. It consists of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), the Telecommunication Standards Advisory Group (TSAG), the Review Committee (RC), the Study Group (SG), and the Telecommunication Standards Bureau (TSB).

• ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)The goal is to guarantee the right to communicate to the world human through the spread of information and communication services and infrastructure, and to support technical, human, and financial needs for the implementation of ICT, expand the spread of ICT, promote and participate in various activities to narrow the digital divide, and manage policies and programs suitable for developing countries. Currently, two research teams are working on major issues for developing countries, and five regional offices in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, and eight area offices, including CIS, help build direct and sustainable relationships between government agencies, regional communication organizations and other stakeholders.