International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

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Photo: ITU

ITU logo blueAbout ITU

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs. Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, it allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strives to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide. ITU is committed to connecting all the world’s people – wherever they live and whatever their means. Through its work, it protects and supports everyone’s right to communicate and witness the infinite potential of an increasingly digitalized world.​
 

The ITU Office for Europe provides assistance to the 46 Member States of the Europe Region. The Office also acts as the main focal point for the ITU Sector Members, Associates, Academia and other stakeholders headquartered in the Region.​

Today, there are billions of mobile phone subscribers, close to five billion people with access to television, and tens of millions of new Internet users every year. Hundreds of millions of people around the world use satellite services – whether getting directions from a satellite navigation system, checking the weather forecast or watching television from isolated areas. Confronting with an increasingly interconnected world, ITU is at the very heart of the ICT sector, brokering agreement on technologies, services, allocation of resources like radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbital positions in order to create a seamless global communications system that’s robust, reliable, and constantly evolving.

The work of ITU is organized around three main areas of activity identified as “Sectors”. ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) provides global solutions to address the need for radio spectrum allocations and harmonized standards to improve interoperability. It coordinates a vast and growing range of radiocommunication services as well as the international management of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) defines fundamental standards (called Recommendations) to facilitate the operation of today’s ICT networks. In a typical year, ITU will produce or revise upwards of 150 standards covering everything from core network functionality to next-generation services such as IPTV. ITU’s Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) fosters international cooperation and solidarity in the delivery of technical assistance and in the creation, development and improvement of telecommunication and ICT equipment and networks in developing countries. It further champions a number of major initiatives which encompass ITU’s internationally accorded mandate to “bridge the digital divide”, such as GIGA, iCoDI, Connect2Recover, others. ITU also regularly publishes the industry’s most comprehensive and reliable ICT statistics.

Contact information:

ITU OFFICE FOR EUROPE at HEADQUARTERS

International Telecommunication Union
Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)
ITU Office for Europe
Place des Nations 1211
Geneva 20 Switzerland

Phone: +41 22 730 5111
Fax: +41 22 730 5484
Email: [email protected]

REGIONAL OFFICES

 

 

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