It's that time again, where large numbers of telecoms and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) companies are faced with the un-nerving prospect of a United Nations agency regulating fundamentally important aspects of the internet, as well as significantly increasing its jurisdiction over the ICT and telecoms industries.
And it seems that they now have their eyes set on the ICT and telecommunications sector, with the intent of introducing much more stringent guidelines in order to keep pace with the ever changing face of internet and computer based technology and communications.
The ITU has a wide array of responsibilities and performs all manner of tasks, from working to improve the conditions for telecoms accessibility in under-privileged communities through to allocating global satellite orbits and radio spectrum.
It seems, however, that over the years the balance has shifted considerably in favour of the latest technologies, with updates to regulations being made only very intermittently. Although the ITU has a vast range of responsibilities and tasks to perform, their regulations do not carry the weight of the law, even though many of their guidelines are adopted by most national level authorities.
At the forthcoming conference - which will take place in Dubai later this year - a significant treaty made in 1988 known as the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) will be renegotiated.
The ITRs established fundamental general principles concerning international telecommunication services and transport, as well as interconnection of telecommunications facilities, and accounting and settlement of international voice traffic between administrations. As well as providing a general framework for mutual agreements between countries, the ITRs also allow for private agreements for non-governmental organisations.
An overhaul of the ITRs has long been on the cards, and although any alterations made will not become law, it is widely acknowledged that any decisions made at the conference will play a big part in the way internet and telecommunications are regulated internationally over the coming years.
Whatever changes are deemed fit to be introduced, and however much opposition there may be towards them, the telecoms industry can count itself lucky that it has been able to avoid a re-assessment of its' guidelines for so long. And maybe there can be some comfort taken from the fact that whatever guidelines are introduced, the future of Voip is incredibly bright and will only continue to grow for the foreseeable future, meaning there will be no lack of new customers any time soon.
And it seems that they now have their eyes set on the ICT and telecommunications sector, with the intent of introducing much more stringent guidelines in order to keep pace with the ever changing face of internet and computer based technology and communications.
The ITU has a wide array of responsibilities and performs all manner of tasks, from working to improve the conditions for telecoms accessibility in under-privileged communities through to allocating global satellite orbits and radio spectrum.
It seems, however, that over the years the balance has shifted considerably in favour of the latest technologies, with updates to regulations being made only very intermittently. Although the ITU has a vast range of responsibilities and tasks to perform, their regulations do not carry the weight of the law, even though many of their guidelines are adopted by most national level authorities.
At the forthcoming conference - which will take place in Dubai later this year - a significant treaty made in 1988 known as the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) will be renegotiated.
The ITRs established fundamental general principles concerning international telecommunication services and transport, as well as interconnection of telecommunications facilities, and accounting and settlement of international voice traffic between administrations. As well as providing a general framework for mutual agreements between countries, the ITRs also allow for private agreements for non-governmental organisations.
An overhaul of the ITRs has long been on the cards, and although any alterations made will not become law, it is widely acknowledged that any decisions made at the conference will play a big part in the way internet and telecommunications are regulated internationally over the coming years.
Whatever changes are deemed fit to be introduced, and however much opposition there may be towards them, the telecoms industry can count itself lucky that it has been able to avoid a re-assessment of its' guidelines for so long. And maybe there can be some comfort taken from the fact that whatever guidelines are introduced, the future of Voip is incredibly bright and will only continue to grow for the foreseeable future, meaning there will be no lack of new customers any time soon.
About the Author:
Saul Saresi writes regularly about Voip communications and technologies for his site which can be found here voip systems previous examples of his work can be found here voip for business