Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request From: hayes!tnixon@uunet.uu.net (Toby Nixon) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: The Correct Way to Write Your Phone Number Message-ID: Date: 3 Mar 91 02:42:21 GMT Sender: news@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Mr. News) Organization: Hayes Microcomputer Products, Norcross, GA Lines: 84 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 173, Message 8 of 9 Originator: telecom@delta.eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: hub.eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu In article , K_MULLHOLAND@unhh.unh.edu (KATH MULLHOLAND) writes: > What is CCITT? CCITT is the abbreviation for Comite Consultatif International Telegraphique et Telephonique, or, in English, International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee. It is a part of the International Telecommunications Union, which is part of the United Nations. CCITT is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The members of the CCITT are the "Administrations" -- the Postal, Telegraph, and Telephone (PTT) systems in each country. In the USA, we don't have a nationalized system, so the US Department of State is the official US representative (and there are communities in the State Dept. to formulate US positions on CCITT issues; I serve on one of these committees). Also members of CCITT are "Recognized Private Operating Agencies" (RPOAs), such as AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc.; "Scientific and Industrial Organizations" (SIOs) such as modem manufacturers, telephone equipment manufacturers, fax machine manufacturers, etc.; and "Liaison Organizations", which are other parts of the UN and other international organizations such as ISO (International Standards Organization) which have an interest in the work of the CCITT. Only the Administrations and RPOAs have a VOTE on CCITT issues, but all four membership classes can participate in meetings and make contributions -- and pay dues (a modem manufacturer's dues run about $15,000). CCITT is organized as fifteen "Study Groups", each on a particular area of telecommunications: SG I Definition, operation, and quality of service aspects of telegraph, data transmission and telematic services (facsimile, Teletex, Videotex, etc.) SG II Operation of telephone network and ISDN SG III General tariff principles including accounting SG IV Transmission maintenance of international lines, circuits, and chains of circuits; maintenance of automatic and semi-automatic networks SG V Protection against dangers and disturbances of electromagnetic origin SG VI Outside plant SG VII Data communication networks SG VIII Terminal equipment for telematic services (facsimile, Teletex, videotex, etc.) SG IX Telegraph networks and terminal equipment SG X Languages and methods for telecommunications applications SG XI ISDN and telephone network switching and signalling SG XII Transmission performance of telephone networks and terminals SG XV Transmission systems SG XVII Data transmission over the telephone network SG XVIII Digital networks including ISDN CCITT is, therefore, the focus for agreements between countries on how international telephone, telegraph, and data networks are to be interconnected, how accounts are settled, how modems and facsimile work, and a lot of other subjects. Toby Nixon, Principal Engineer | Voice +1-404-840-9200 Telex 151243420 Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. | Fax +1-404-447-0178 CIS 70271,404 P.O. Box 105203 | UUCP uunet!hayes!tnixon AT&T !tnixon Atlanta, Georgia 30348 USA | Internet hayes!tnixon@uunet.uu.net