December 04, 2007

In October, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority(TRA) became Lebanon's official representative as a Sector Member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The Switzerland-based organization is the United Nations agency tasked with shaping global policy on information and communication technologies. The TRA takes its place among 191 member states as well as more than 700 sector members and associates, all responsible for playing a role in the development of the global ICT industry.
The ITU focuses on three main sectors of standardization (ITU-T),development (ITU-D) and radiocommunication (ITU-R).

• ITU-T is responsible for formulating standards that constitute the basis for the uniform development of information and communication technologies. This creates an open standard industry, allowing manufacturers, vendors and suppliers to work to harmonized standards, creating handsets and networks that conform, thus bringing about benefits to end users.

• The ITU-D focuses on spurring and ensuring the right of all global citizens to access information and communication services. All regulatory bodies worldwide, such as the TRA, are responsible for ensuring there are sufficient provisions in their regulatory framework and that all industry members play a role in making access possible. This is important for the development of an information society.

• As radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits are limited resources witnessing increasing demand, the ITU-R plays a pivotal role in ensuring usage of these resources is managed according to global standards and recommendations. Through carrying out studies, it approves recommendations on radiocommunication matters with the aim of harmonizing development and increasing efficiency for all parties concerned.