Yoichi Morishita

The last few years have witnessed amazing technical innovations in ICT. We can see the results in the astonishing rate where broadband communications, the spread of utilization of the Internet and mobile terminals have brought us evolution into global and ubiquitous society. Furthermore, markets and customers are demanding larger capacities, higher speeds, and more diversified means of communication. This is expected to lead to the creation of new industries, in bridging the digital divide, and in improving the quality of the environment in which we live.

Under these circumstances, the fierce competition to develop new technologies among companies, and even among nations, can have the unfortunate side-effect of confusion towards consumers when the resulting products are commercialized, and may even hinder the healthy growth of the market. To prevent this, "standards" play an important role. Accordingly, international standardization organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union, or ITU, and other non-governmental bodies are constantly striving to set appropriate standards. The fruits of research and development should be protected as intellectual properties, at the same time, the conditions that allow both consumers and companies enjoy the fruits of standardized new technologies, as public properties should be established.

In 1985, the Telecommunication Technology Committee, or TTC, was founded. As a non-governmental organization dedicated to standardization activities, it aims at liberalization of market of the telecommunication industry and sophistication of the telecommunications infrastructure. By the end of last fiscal year, a total of 585 standards have been set as well as many deliverables such as specifications, thus making a considerable contribution to the growth of the economy and society. To keep in step with changing environment, last June, the structure of organization including Japanese title for the TTC was changed.

At the TTC, from a global, national, and social point of view; taking into account of needs from users and the market as well as from telecommunication carriers and manufacturers; and working closely together with international standardization organizations and other non-governmental bodies sharing the same goals, I would like to affirm further growth by conducting standardization activities, i.e. establishment of standards, relevant study and research, and dissemination of use of standards, in a timely manner and on well planned schedule, considering domestic and international development.