March 7, 2022
Brett Schaefer and Danielle Pletka
Summary
As Russia, China, Iran, and others seek to manipulate the international system to their advantage, the United States and others will need to be more proactive. While the work of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is complex and obscure, failure to protect the independence and integrity of the ITU will impact every American. It is not simply the phones used, or the satellites positioned, or the chips embedded. Rather, what is at stake is secure air travel, privacy in every sphere of modern life, and the ability of the U.S. military to protect the American people. The stakes could not be higher, and it is time for the U.S. government to step up.
Key Takeaways
The ITU affects Americans’ daily lives by recommending standards and practices for communications and digital technologies from cellular phones to satellite orbits.
The United States should not allow Beijing to dominate emerging technologies, including 5G, by setting rules, standards, and practices to be adopted globally.
The U.S. should support participation of U.S. companies in the ITU and work to ensure that it remains independent, eschews Internet governance, and adopts sound stan.
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