International Telecommunication Union-ITU

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was established in 1865 as the “International Telegraph Union” with 20 founding members, including our country. On October 15, 1947, it became a specialized agency with international legal personality, operating under the United Nations.

The primary aim of the Union is to promote cooperation among its members for the rational use of all kinds of telecommunication means, to provide technical assistance in the field of telecommunications to developing countries, and to facilitate the mobility of human resources, financial resources, and other materials to support participation in telecommunication services in these countries; to develop technical facilities and effective practices to enhance the efficiency of telecommunication services and make them available to the general public as much as possible; and to ensure the worldwide dissemination of the benefits of ICTs.

As of 2018, the Union has 193 member country administrations and more than approximately 800 members from the private sector and academia.

The basic documents of the ITU are:

• ITU Constitution
• ITU Convention
• Radio Regulations
• International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR)

These documents are updated through World Conferences and are of a binding nature subject to approval processes in accordance with the domestic legal procedures of countries.

The decision-making mechanisms forming the structure of the Union, as outlined in the ITU Constitution, are as follows:

• Plenipotentiary Conference
• Council
• General Secretariat
• ITU Sectors:

1. Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)

2. Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)

3. Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)

Conference of Plenipotentiaries (PP)

• The Plenipotentiary Conferences (PPs), which possess the distinction of being ITU's highest-level and most authoritative conference, are held ordinarily every 4 years with the participation of the Union's member states. During the PPs;
• Reports presented by the Council on the Union's strategic planning and policy, as well as developments in Union activities, are reviewed,
• The main elements of the Union's budget are determined, and general principles regarding member states' contributions and Union staff salaries are established,
• ITU's fundamental policies and the 4-year Strategic Plan are adopted,
• Election is held for member states to serve on the Council, as well as the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Directors of the Bureaux of the ITU-R, ITU-D, and ITU-T Sectors, and members of the Radio Regulations Board,
• Amendments proposed by member states to the ITU Constitution and Convention are accepted if consensus is reached.

Council

The ITU Council is the decision-making body that carries out its duties within the framework of the authority and responsibilities granted to it between two ordinary Plenipotentiary Conferences.

Its duties include managing the ITU, establishing general telecommunications policies to ensure that the Union's activities, policies, and strategies align with today's dynamic and rapidly changing telecommunications environment, preparing ITU's policy and strategy plans to achieve this, coordinating work programs, approving budgets and expenditures, and additionally, monitoring the implementation of the ITU's Constitution, Convention, Administrative Regulations, and decisions taken at Plenipotentiary Conferences and the Union's other conferences and meetings.

Turkey has been serving as a Council member from the “B: Western European Region” for four consecutive terms since 2002.

ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)

The ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) plays a vital role in the global management of the frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, which are naturally scarce resources. This is because numerous systems, such as fixed and mobile communication services, space research, global navigation systems, and communication systems related to safety of life in air, sea, and on land, require this scarce resource.

The mission of ITU-R is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient, and effective use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits for all radiocommunication services. One of the main objectives is to ensure that radiocommunication systems do not cause interference to each other while operating. In doing so, the Radio Regulations and Regional Agreements are taken as basis, and these instruments are reviewed at World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences. In addition, radio standards (recommendations) determining the performance and quality standards of radio systems are established as a result of ITU-R studies.

ITU-R manages the detailed coordination and registration processes of space systems and earth stations. In this context, its primary role is to officially coordinate administrations' frequency assignment notifications and ensure their registration in the Master International Frequency Register. Since these registrations are reference records, it is of utmost importance to maintain them as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

ITU-R also develops allocation and allotment plans related to space, and determines orbital slots for new satellite services. ITU-R conducts studies for the launch of new satellites and to ensure the safe continuity of satellite services. 

The Sector operates through;

• World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC/RRC)
• Radiocommunication Assemblies (RA)
• Radio Regulations Board (RRB)
• ITU-R Study Groups (SG)
• Radiocommunication Bureau (ITU-BR)

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World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC)

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is held every 3-4 years. The task of the WRC is to review and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the use of the frequency spectrum, international agreements, low Earth orbit satellites, and orbital satellites. These revision processes are carried out based on the agenda determined by the ITU Council and taking into account the recommendations of the previous world radiocommunication conference. The general scope of the conference is determined 4-6 years in advance. The final agenda is determined by the ITU Council by majority decision of the members 2 years before the conference. According to the ITU Constitution; the powers of the WRC are: 

• Revision of the Radio Regulations with frequency allocations and planning,
• Addressing radiocommunication matters of worldwide character
• Assigning tasks to the Radio Regulations Board and Radiocommunication Bureau and reviewing their activities
• Determining the questions to be studied by the Radiocommunication Assembly and study groups in preparation for future Radiocommunication Conferences

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Telecommunications Standardization Sector (ITU-T)

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), held every four years, convenes to discuss matters related to telecommunications standardization, and also undertakes important functions such as determining the working groups under ITU-T and approving ITU-T Recommendations. The recommendations adopted by WTSA, which serves as the highest decision-making body within ITU on standardization issues, such as E.164, are implemented with the utmost care by all stakeholders, even though they are not legally binding. Therefore, it is of great importance that our country is represented at WTSAs and participates in the relevant discussions in light of detailed preparatory studies to be conducted beforehand.

Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)

For the purpose of preparing all kinds of technical assistance programs aimed at developing telecommunications services in least developed and developing countries, and providing the necessary organization and technical cooperation;

• World and Regional Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDC/RTDC)
• Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG)
• Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)
• Working Groups

it carries out its activities through these.

Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDC)

During these conferences, objectives and strategies are established for the development of telecommunications on a global and regional basis, the modernization and expansion of networks, and support for the dissemination and increased impact of telecommunications activities in the world's least developed countries.

The WTDC meets every four years to review the operation of telecommunications development activities in developing countries and international cooperation to support the development of communication infrastructure in these countries.

At WTDCs, the priorities of development activities and thus the Bureau's work program are determined, and working groups are established to carry out studies on policies to be implemented for the dissemination of ICTs in developing countries, financial matters, network plans, and the provision of new services; the reports of these groups are considered.