Shaping future telecommunications: the challenge of global standardization

Rapid changes in telecommunication technologies and the telecommunications environment are presenting new opportunities and challenges to global telecommunication standardization. This article begins with a short introduction of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), its structure and main responsibilities, before focusing on global standardization at ITU. But first one must take note of one important point: on March 1, 1993 a major structural reform of the ITU was implemented. Among other important changes, CCITT ceased to exist, and was resurrected as the new ´´ITU Standardization Sector.´´ It is for this reason that the readers will find the term ´´CCITT´´ used for the standardization activities up to February 28, 1993; after this date, the new term ´´ITU Standardization Sector´´ (ITU-T) will be applied. The same situation exists for many other terms as well. It is hoped that the explanations provided in the text are clear enough to assist readers in understanding which new terms have come into use to replace the traditional terms that have been in use for so many years.<>