cially if the standard is made mandatory? 22.3.1.1 ITU aims International standards organisations Today the ITU has three major functions: 1. To encourage the interconnectivity of telecommunication The structure of standard making bodies and the relationship be- equipment and services by promoting and establishing techni- tween the international, regional and national bodies is shown in cal standards in these areas. Figure 22.3. Trade associations and user groups can operate inter- To promote the best use of scarce telecommunication resources, nationally, by geographical region, or nationally. The foremost by the implementation of international regulations. This is international standard making body for telecommunications is the especially important in the use of the radio frequency spectrum, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and for information which the ITU controls via the CCITT, CCIR and the Interna- technology standards it is the International Standards Organisation tional Frequency Registration Board (IFRB). (ISO), although with the blurring of lines between telecommunica- 3. To encourage the growth of telecommunications in less de- tions and information technology their activities often overlap. veloped countries. This is done via the Technical Co-operation Department (TCD) and the Telecommunications Development 22.3.1 The International Telecommunications Bureau (TDB). Union In addition the ITU carries out other ancillary tasks for its mem- The ITU was founded in 1865 as the Union Telegraphique, with the bers, such as organising telecommunication exhibitions to keep prime aim of developing standards in telecommunications. In 1947 members informed of the latest advances in telecommunication it became an specialised agency for telecommunications, of the techniques. The best known is the Telecom exhibitions which are United Nations, under the UN Charter Articles 57 to 63, when it held every four years, Telecom 91 having been held in October 1991 was also renamed the International Telecommunications 