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Call for papers for Feature Topic on

ITU-T International Standards in Information and Communications Technologies

IEEE Communications Magazine

Background
Standards play a strategic role in fostering innovation and competitive markets. Business, governments and academia use ITU-developed standards to bring products and services to market rapidly, build order in the marketplace, generate trust and enhance safety. Manufacturers, network operators and consumers benefit in terms of lower prices and increased availability by reducing technical barriers and promoting compatibility between systems.

ITU is justly proud to be the world's leading developer of standards for information and communication technologies (ICT). It is the oldest activity of the Union, dating back to its establishment in 1865. ITU provides its members with excellent state-of-the-art technical support and meeting facilities that can cater to groups from 50 to 2000. ITU standards are developed in a unique contribution-driven and consensus-based environment by industry and government members. Over 3000 ITU-T standards underpin most of today's telecommunications/ICT applications, and over 250 new or revised standards are approved each year. More than 90 per cent of these are in effect approved by the industry participants, and the average time for approval is now only nine weeks.

Participation in the ITU standards process gives direct influence over the technological forces that are shaping the ICT industry. It allows early access to many technical resources and standards in development. Taking part helps to ensure that products are safe, reliable and compatible on a global scale.

Membership enjoys unparalleled networking opportunities with the best talent in the industry and representatives of over 700 private sector entities as well as 191 governments and their regulators. ITU-T's flexible approach to making standards addresses large, small and medium businesses in both mature and fledgling markets.

Scope of contributions
We solicit contributions for a Feature Topic issue that focuses on ITU-T's role in developing global standards for ICTs. Contributions should include but not limited to the following areas:

Overview of the ITU-T standardization mechanisms and process: Building consensus, alternative approval process (AAP), WTSA, TSAG, Study Groups, Focus Groups, IPR policy, the role of TSB etc.
ITU-T Strategy
Bridging the standardization gap
Hot standardization topics in ITU-T including standards coordination aspects
- Access technologies
- Transport technologies
- Advanced Multimedia System (AMS)
- ICTs for climate change

Contributions should provide a tutorial style technology overview, offer insight into emerging standards, and address their features and challenges. For manuscript submission, the authors should follow the IEEE Communications Magazine guidelines under "Information for Authors" at http://www.comsoc.org/pubs/commag/sub_guidelines.html. Manuscripts should be submitted through Manuscript Central at http://commag-ieee.manuscriptcentral.com/. On the Manuscript Details page please click the drop-down menu to select "October 2008/ ITU-T International Standards in Information and Communications Technologies." All submissions will be peer reviewed at least by three experts.

Important Dates
Manuscript submission: April 15, 2008
Notification of acceptance: July 1, 2008
Final manuscripts due: August 1, 2008
Publication date: October 1, 2008

Guest Editors
Yoichi Maeda, NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, Chairman ITU-T Study Group 15 yoichi.maeda@ntt-at.co.jp

Koichi Asatani, Professor, Kogakuin University asatanik@cc.kogakuin.ac.jp