ITU-MUST IPv6 and IoT Centre of Expertise

About Us

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU; French: Union Internationale des Télécommunications (ITU)), originally the International Telegraph Union (French: Union Télégraphique Internationale), is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that is responsible for issues that concern information and communication technologies. It is the oldest among all the 15 specialised agencies of UN. The ITU coordinates the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promotes international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and assists in the development and coordination of worldwide technical standards.

Figure 1 shows The ITU is active in areas including broadband Internet, latest-generation wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, satellite-based meteorology, convergence in fixed-mobile phone, Internet access, data, voice, TV broadcasting, and next-generation networks. The agency also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums, such as ITU Telecom World, bringing together representatives of government and the telecommunications and ICT industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology.

ITU, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is a member of the United Nations Development Group, and has 12 regional and area offices in the world. ITU has been an intergovernmental public–private partnership organization since its inception. Its membership includes 193 Member States and around 800 public and private sector companies, and academic institutions as well as international and regional telecommunication entities, known as Sector Members and Associates, which undertake most of the work of each Sector.

In 2018, the ITU Center of Expertise for IPv6 and IOT is officially established in the Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST). The center will be the first of its kind in the world.

Below is role of the centre

• To help member countries plan, coordinate and strategize a smooth transition to IPV6 and help create expertise in IOT.
• To assist to setup Regional Centers around the world to share expertise, resources and capacity-building know-how in IPV6, IOT and NGI research, training and education.
• To strengthen capacity building to deliver advance and specialized telecommunication & ICT training in IPv6 and IOT via these regional centers.
• To offer continuous education to ICT managers (public & private spheres) through face-to-face or distance learning programmes.
• Serve as regional focal points for professional development, research, and knowledge sharing, as well as providing specialist training services to external clients.
• Help the expansion of the Internet by promoting IPv6 and IOT and to bridge the digital divide by reaching the bottom billions.