jr2804 ITU-T Basics
Overview
ITU-T (ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector) is a permanent organ of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is responsible for studying technical, operating and tariff questions and issuing Recommendations to standardize telecommunications worldwide.
Organizational structure
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| WTSA (World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly) | Meets every 4 years; establishes study topics and mandates |
| TSAG (Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group) | Advises on priorities, coordination, work programme between WTSAs |
| TSB (Telecommunication Standardization Bureau) | Secretariat: circulates documents, organizes meetings, publishes Recommendations |
| Study Groups (SG) | Core technical bodies; approve Recommendations; manage work programmes |
| Working Parties (WP) | Subsets of study groups handling specific Questions or spec maintenance |
| Rapporteur Groups | Appointed experts coordinating detailed study of individual Questions |
| Focus Groups (FG) | Forward-looking; non-member participation; do not write Recommendations |
| Joint Coordination Activities (JCA) | Cross-study-group coordination; do not perform technical studies |
| Intersector Rapporteur Groups (IRG) | Coordinate between ITU sectors (ITU-T, ITU-R, ITU-D) |
Key terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Question | Description of an area of work to be studied, normally leading to new or revised Recommendations |
| Work item | Assigned piece of work identifiable with a Question |
| Work programme | List of work items owned by a study group |
| Recommendation | The normative output; approved via TAP or AAP |
| Amendment | Changes or additions to an already published Recommendation |
| Corrigendum | Corrections to a published Recommendation (same approval as amendment) |
| Erratum | Correction of publication/editorial errors; published by TSB with Chairman concurrence |
| Annex | Integral material necessary for completeness; same approval as the Recommendation |
| Appendix | Supplementary material not essential for completeness; agreed by study group only |
| Normative reference | External document whose provisions, through reference, become provisions of the referring document |
| Clause | Single-digit or multiple-digit numbered text passages |
Roles
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Study Group Chairman | Establishes work structure, selects WP chairmen, directs meetings, promotion |
| Rapporteur | Coordinates detailed study of a Question; holds rapporteur group meetings; submits progress reports and draft Recommendations as TDs |
| Editor | Assists rapporteur in preparing text of draft Recommendations |
| Associate Rapporteur | Assists rapporteur generally or with a particular study area |
| Liaison Rapporteur | Ensures liaison with other groups by attending meetings or correspondence |
Meeting procedures (summary)
- Meetings require TSB Director approval
- Timetable published at least 1 year in advance
- Collective letter (agenda + work plan) sent ~2 months before meeting
- Participants register at least 1 month before
- Meeting may be cancelled if insufficient contributions received
- IPR declaration is requested at each meeting
- Rapporteur meetings: convening letter >= 2 months before; report as TD to parent group
References
- references/a1-working-methods.md -- detailed extract from Rec. ITU-T A.1
Cross-references
itut-contributions-- contribution submission, TDocs, liaison statementsitut-recommendations-- Recommendation structure, approval, amendmentsitut-drafting-- ITU-T contribution .docx template and formattingitut-patents-- patent policy, IPR disclosure, licensing declarationssdo-docx-formatting-- formatting rules (delegated)sdo-project-setup-- project bootstrap workflow