Today we will talk about ITU, its History and its full form? And will give complete information about what its functions are. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the UN specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs. Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, they allocate global spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies interconnect, and strive to develop access to ICTs in underserved communities.
What is ITU?
ITU stands for International Telecommunication Union and is a specialized agency of the international organization answerable for all matters associated with information and communication technologies. The ITU was initially aimed toward helping connect telegraphic networks between countries, with its mandate consistently broadening with the arrival of recent communications technologies; it adopted its current name in 1934 to reflect its expanded responsibilities over the radio and, therefore, the telephone and is based in Geneva, Switzerland, the ITU’s global membership includes 193 countries and around 900 business, academic institutions, and international and regional organizations.
ITU Overview
| ITU | International Telecommunication Union |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Formation | 17 May 1865; 156 years ago |
| Parent organization | United Nations Economic and Social Council |
| Type | United Nations specialized agency |
| Website | https://www.itu.int/ |
| Member | 193 countries |
History
ITU was founded in Paris in 1865 because of the International Telegraph Union. It took its present name in 1932 and 1947 and became a specialized agency of the UN. Although its first area of experience was the telegraph, the work of ITU now covers the entire ICT sector, from digital broadcasting to the web and from mobile technologies to 3D TV., a company of public-private partnership since its inception, ITU currently encompasses a membership of 193 countries and a few 700 private-sector entities. ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has twelve regional and area offices worldwide.
ITU Membership
ITU has three Sectors: Radiocommunication (ITU-R); Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T); and Telecommunication Development (ITU-D). Each sector has its unique characteristics and activities. Companies or organizations may become members of one or more Sectors of ITU and may join as a Sector Member or Associate.
Strategic goal
- The strategic goal of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is threefold and includes:
- To develop interoperable, non-discriminatory international standards (ITU-T Recommendations)
- To assist in bridging the standardization gap between developed and developing countries
- To extend and facilitate international cooperation among international and regional standardization bodies
Objectives
- Coordinating/International cooperation
- Producing global standards
- Bridging the standardization gap
- Informing/Disseminating information
ITU Sectors
Governance
ITU members are as follows:
| Region A (Americas) 9 Seats | Region B (Western Europe) 8 Seats | Region C (Eastern Europe and Northern Asia) 5 Seats | Region D (Africa) 13 Seats | Region E (Asia and Australasia) 13 Seats |
| Argentina | France | Azerbaijan | Algeria | Australia |
| Bahamas | Italy | Czech Republic | Burkina Faso | China |
| Brazil | Germany | Poland | Egypt | India |
| Canada | Greece | Romania | Ghana | Indonesia |
| Cuba | Hungary | Russia | Ivory Coast | Iran |
| El Salvador | Spain | – | Kenya | Japan |
| Mexico | Switzerland | Morocco | Kuwait | |
| United States | Turkey | Nigeria | Pakistan | |
| Paraguay | Rwanda | Philippines | ||
| Senegal | Saudi Arabia | |||
| South Africa | South Korea | |||
| Tunisia | Thailand | |||
| Uganda | United Arab Emirates |
Administrative regions
Region A – The Americas (35 Member States)
Region B – Western Europe (33 Member States)
Region C – Eastern Europe and Northern Asia (21 Member States)
Region D – Africa (54 Member States)
Region E – Asia and Australasia (50 Member States)
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Q. What does ITU stand for?
A. International Telecommunication Union
Q. What is the purpose or Objective of ITU?
A. The overall objectives of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are: Coordinating/International cooperation
Producing global standards Bridging the standardization gap informing/Disseminating information.
Q. In which sector does ITU work?
A. The ITU is organized into three sectors – Radiocommunication, Telecommunication Standardisation and Telecommunication Development – known as ITU-R, ITU-T and ITU-D.