ITU in a Nutshell
Bilel Jamoussi
Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
International Telecommunication Union
ITU: Telecoms and ICT since 1865
• Founded in 1865, it is
oldest specialized agency
of the UN system
• Standards making one of
the ITU’s first activities
• HQ Geneva, 5 regional
offices and 8 area offices,
750 staff / 80 nationalities
• Named as one of the
world’s ten most enduring
institutions by Booz Allen
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
2
ITU and its Membership
• 192 Member States
• 700 private sector
entities:
– Sector Members
– Associates
• 22 universities
• Learn more at
www.itu.int/members
• Companies from LDCs
can join ITU-T and ITU-R
sectors at a reduced fee
(LDC Sector Membership:
CHF 3,975)
• Academia, universities
and research labs can
join ITU sectors at a
reduced fee
(CHF 3,975 / Developing
Countries: CHF 1,987.50)
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
3
ITU Core Activities: Development,
Radiocommunication, Standardization
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
4
Structure
Plenipotentiary
Conference
General
Secretariat
Coordinates
work of ITU
ITU Council
ITU TELECOM
ITU-T
Standardization
Develops ICT and
telecommunication
standards
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU-R Radiocommunication
ITU-D
Development
Manages radio
spectrum and
satellite orbits
Assists
developing
countries
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
5
ITU Telecom World 2011: Talk, take
action. Collaborate, connect
• Geneva, 24-27 October 2011
• Forum, workshops, technical symposium,
showfloor
• See http://world2011.itu.int
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
6
Key Issues in ITU-T:
The Standardization Sector
• Produce ICT and telecommunication standards on
globally used technologies
• Define tariff and accounting principles for
international telecommunication services
• Coordinate with other standards bodies to avoid
overlap
• Fast, transparent procedures and a globally
trusted brand name
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
7
ITU-T: One-Stop Shop for Global ICT
Standards
• Study Groups cover
wide area of topics:
– Operational aspects of
service provisioning
– Tariff and accounting
– ICT, environment and
climate change
– Test specifications
– Performance, QoS and
QoE
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
8
ITU-T: One-Stop Shop for Global ICT
Standards
• Study Groups cover
wide area of topics:
– Future networks
– Access network
infrastructures
– Multimedia systems and
applications
– Security
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
9
Recent ITU-T Success Stories
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
10
Internet Broadband Access &
Transports
• Access:
– ADSL: ITU-T G.992
– PLT: ITU-T G.9960 (G.hn)
– FTTX:
• GPON
• Bendable fibers: ITU-T
G.657
• Optical transport:
– SDH: ITU-T G.707
– Carrier Ethernet: ITU-T
Y.1731
– Synchronization: Mobile
Backhaul
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
11
Smart Grid
• Electric Grid Transport &
Distribution
Communication
Standards
• Optimization of facility
usage
• Integration of renewable
energy sources, which are
distributed and less stable
• Integration of electric
vehicles
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
12
Cloud Computing
• From own to lease
• Growth opportunity for
Telcos
• Security, Audit, and
Privacy
• Inter-Cloud
• Load sharing
• Disaster recovery
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
13
Intelligent Transportation Systems
• In-vehicle multimedia
applications and
services
• Climate change and
electric vehicles
• Road safety and driver
distraction
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
14
ICT and Climate Change
• New standard for
universal charging
solution approved
• Standardize a
methodology to measure
the footprint of ICTs
(positive and negative)
• Increase information on
the role of ICTs in
combating climate
change
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
15
Multimedia
• Advanced video coding:
ITU-T H.264
– Used to compress
billions of clips on
YouTube, but also highdefinition content on
Blu-ray Discs
• New work on the way:
– Joint Collaborative Team
on Video Coding (ITU-T,
ISO/IEC) to reduce H.264
data rate by 50%
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
16
Cybersecurity
• Strengthen the
confidence and security
in the use of ICTs
• Strengthen
cybersecurity and
combat cyber threats
• Identity management
• Child online protection
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
17
Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA)
•
GCA is designed for cooperation and
efficiency, encouraging collaboration
with and between all relevant
partners, and building on existing
initiatives to avoid duplicating efforts
•
GCA builds upon five pillars:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
•
Legal Measures
Technical and Procedural Measures
Organizational Structures
Capacity Building
International Cooperation
Since its launch, GCA has attracted
the support and recognition of
leaders and cybersecurity experts
around the world
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
18
Accessibility for Persons with
Disabilities
• Enhance ICT
accessibility for persons
with disabilities,
including age-related
disabilities
• Provide accessibility to
ICTs, and to ITU facilities
and services, for
participants with visual,
hearing or physical
disabilities
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
19
Emergency Communications
• Consistent approach for
the transmission of
warning or alerting
messages
• Call prioritization for
emergency calls in a
disaster area
• Emergency call numbers
• Common alerting
protocol (CAP)
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
20
Technology Watch
• Surveys the ICT landscape
to capture new topics for
standardization
• Previous topics include
– Smart Water Management
– Cloud Computing
– Intelligent Transport
Systems
– Biometrics
– eHealth
• Expert authors wanted,
see http://itu.int/techwatch
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
21
Key Issues in ITU-R:
The Radiocommunication Sector
• Management of limited natural resources:
Radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
22
Key Issues in ITU-R:
The Radiocommunication Sector
• Management of limited natural resources:
Radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits
– Allocation of spectrum for communications (including
mobile and broadcasting)
– Satellite communications
– Spectrum for advanced aeronautical communications
– Global Maritime issues
– Protect frequencies for Earth-exploration satellites to
monitor resources, emergencies, meteorology and climate
change
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
23
Key areas of
ITU-R standardization
• Spectrum Monitoring
• Broadband wireless access
(terrestrial and satellite)
• IMT - International Mobile Telecommunications
– IMT-2000
– IMT-Advanced
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
24
Key areas of
ITU-R standardization
• Broadcasting technologies
– Digital TV, 3D TV, etc.
• Emergency communications
• Environmental monitoring
– Weather, water and climate
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
25
ITU-R Recommendations
• > 900 ITU-R Recommendations
• “Standards” in areas of spectrum management and
radio technology
• Used by spectrum planners and system designers
• Other publications include:
– Reports and Handbooks
– Technical bases for radio conferences
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
26
Key Issues in ITU-D:
The Development Sector
• Assisting developing countries in putting into
practice competitive ICT markets
• Building capacity in developing and least developed
countries
• Measuring the advance of the Information Society
(ICT Development Index)
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
27
Key Issues in ITU-D:
The Development Sector
• Executing agency of UN for ICT projects, working
with governments and industry partners
• Mobilizing resources and partners for project
implementation
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
28
Bridging the Digital Divide and
Connecting the Unconnected
• Spread equitable,
sustainable and
affordable access to
ICTs
• Mobilize technical,
human, financial
resources needed for
the implementation of
ICTs in developing
countries
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
29
Some ITU-D Initiatives
• Rural connectivity no
longer a dream in
Samoa
• Restoring Afghanistan’s
telecommunication and
broadcasting
infrastructures
• Delivering VoIP for egovernment
convergence in
Mauritania
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
30
In Summary…
In ITU-R we coordinate global
wireless communication
(which uses limited resources)
In ITU-D we
provide
assistance to
the unconnected
In ITU-T we
produce
interoperable
technical ICT
standards
In the GS we provide intersectoral coordination
for the whole organization and represent ITU
externally
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
31
Bilel Jamoussi
Deputy to the Director
ITU Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau
Bilel Jamoussi (ITU/TSB),
Algiers, Sep. 2011
Please feel free to contact me!
E-Mail: bilel.jamoussi@itu.int
ITU: Committed to Connecting the World
32