International Telecommunication Union

Running head: International Telecommunication Union

International Telecommunication Union

University of Phoenix

Network and Telecommunications concepts

NTC360

With all the information and communications technologies out there, there needs to be some sort of regulation so that all different types of technology can communicate with each other. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the appointed agency that takes care of such actions. The ITU make sure there is a standard between all the different types of communications whether it is radio, television or telecom. The ITU was founded in Paris on May 17, 1865 and it was known then as the International Telegraph Union. Today the ITU is a government agency of the United Nations which has it headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Today the ITU holds one of the world’s largest exhibitions of telecommunications equipment. This exhibition happens every four years and it is held in Geneva. The exhibition brings together government and private sectors so that these can work together in ensuring that international networks function smoothly. ITU not only encompasses the task of managing global telecommunications but also deals health and education, banking, transportation, tourism and electronic commerce.

The ITU is made up of 191 Member States and more than 700 Sector Members and Associates. A Member State is any country that is part of the United Nations structure. Companies and other such organizations wanting to be part of the ITU members are considered the Sector Members and Associates.

The ITU is made up of three sectors, Telecommunications Standardization Sector (ITU-T), Radio Communication Sector (ITU-R), and Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D). Each of these sectors is vital to the field of communications.

- ITU-R: regulates the use of radio-frequency spectrum for both terrestrial and space (satellite) radio communication.

- ITU-T: studies technical, operation and tariff questions and issues (i.e. voluntary standards) aimed at fostering the inter connectivity and interoperability of telecommunication systems worldwide.

- ITU-D: responsible for creating policies, regulation and providing training programs and financial strategies in developing countries.

Funding the ITU is a very big task. Contributions come from both member states and sector members each of which may freely choose their classes of contribution. Most the contribution the Union receives comes from their member states while only 12 percent of the contribution comes from sector members. This is not the only way the ITU makes money. The ITU has other income sources from which include the sale of publications and fees from satellite notifications which account for about 17 percent of their total funding. Contributions range from 1/6 of a unit to 40 units. Members select what they would like to contribute for the next four years. Sector members are not expected to pay as much as member states and only contribute 1/5 of what member states contribute. The amount of the contribution is set depending on the budget approved. To date the U.S. government’s contribution to ITU is 30 units, or approximately six percent.

The ITU also does more than take in contributions. One of the major goals of the ITU is to make sure there is a healthy spread of equitable, sustainable and affordable access to information and communication technologies (ICT). This is possible due to the ITU-D sector. The sector comes up with ways, through programs and activities,