Union. in Geneva. In its early years the ITU carried out its task of standard making very effectively, since the pace of technology was more leisurely than it is today. Telegraphy was invented in 1837, telephony in 1876, 22.3.1.2 ITU membership automatic switching in 1889 and telex in 1917. In fact up to 1960 the rate of change in telecommunications was manageable. At the end of 1991 the ITU had 165 countries as its members, who The discovery of the integrated circuit and its penetration into had equal voting rights. Lithuania was the last to join and the first telecommunications changed that. The ITU found it difficult to keep of the Baltic States to do so. Only Administrations, i.e. government up with the standards making requirements placed on it. Standards departments concerned with telecommunications, can be ITU mem- CCITT EUROPEAN STANDARDS BODIES CENELEC NATIONAL NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARDS ADMINISTRATIONS BODIES TRADE ASSOCIATIONS PROFESSIONAL AND USER ASSOCIATIONS GOVERNMENT Figure 22.3 Organisations involved in the standards making process 22/6 Telecommunication standards bers. Therefore the UK is represented by the Department of Trade 1. A permanent organisation based in Geneva and consisting of a and Industry. Most other countries are represented by their Postal, General Secretariat; the Administrative Council; the CCITT Telegraph and Telephony (PTT) Administrations, which are State and the CCIR; the IFRB; and the TCD and BDT. owned. For the USA the representation is by a complex mix of A series of conferences, which are held at various intervals. government, agencies and suppliers. These are the Plenipotentiary; the WARC; the WATTC; the In addition other organisation groupings are recognised, who can World and Regional Development Conferences; and the Ple- attend meetings of the ITU and its other organisations but cannot nary Assembly meetings of the CCITT and the CCIR. generally vote. These organisations are: Each ITU organ has its own elected head and there is not necess- 1. Recognised Pri