The ITU's role in the restructuring revolution

The ITU recognizes a twofold mission: to monitor regulatory policy changes and technological developments to be in a position to advise members; and to link restructuring changes to overall basic telecommunication development needs. The fundamental goal of the international community in this sector is to achieve universal access to basic telecommunications services. In this context, restructuring is but one component, although the global challenge is to work together to ensure that the restructuring revolution paves the way to filling the development gap. It is readily admitted that new technologies such as mobile satellite systems enable developing countries to leapfrog their infrastructure problems, and that governments recognize the potential benefits of these new technologies and the need to reform regulations in order to facilitate the introduction of these services. >