Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

{{Infobox organisation

|name = Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

|former name =

|image = Commonwealth_Telecommunications_Organisation.jpg

|image_size =

|alt =

|caption = Logo of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

|map =

|map_size =

|map_caption =

|abbreviation = CTO

|motto =

|formation = {{Start date and age|1948|05|11|df=yes|p=y}}

|type = International organization

|status =

|purpose = Telecommunications

|headquarters = London, United Kingdom

|membership = 33 full state members

|coords = {{coord|51.4945173|N|0.2314831|W|display=inline,title}}

|area_served = Commonwealth of Nations

|founder =

|leader_title = Secretary-General

|leader_name = Bernadette Lewis

|website = {{URL|http://www.cto.int}}

}}

File:All_Red_Line.jpg drawn in 1902 or 1903}}]]

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) traces to the British Empire's Pacific Cable Board in 1901, though in its current form, was created by international treaty, the Commonwealth Telegraphs Agreement between Commonwealth nations signed in London on 11 May 1948.{{cite web|title=Commonwealth Telegraphs Agreement, and Protocol [1957] ATS 21|url=http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1957/21.html|website=www3.austlii.edu.au|publisher=Australasian Legal Information Institute|accessdate=18 June 2017}}

The CTO connects government and non-government entities to enhance cooperation in information and communication technology (ICT).{{cite web|title=About - CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation|url=http://www.cto.int/about-the-cto/|website=www.cto.int|accessdate=19 June 2017}}

History

To oversee the completion of the All Red Line telegraph system interlinking the British Empire, the Pacific Cable Board was formed in 1901.{{cite web |title=The CTO – a brief history {{!}} CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation |url=http://www.cto.int/about-the-cto/the-cto-a-brief-history/ |accessdate=19 June 2017 |website=www.cto.int |publisher=Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation}}

In the final years of the British Empire, with a number of states federated or close to independence, a treaty with clearer financial divisions, responsibilities, and governance was established that would eventually replace the Pacific Cable Board. The Commonwealth Telegraph Agreement was signed between Commonwealth nations in London, 1948 that formed the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation.

Members

The government members of the CTO are:{{cite web|title=Our members - CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation|url=http://www.cto.int/membership/our-members/|website=www.cto.int|accessdate=18 June 2017}}

class="wikitable"
{{BGD}}	{{BRB}}	{{BWA}}
{{CMR}}	{{SWZ}}	{{FJI}}
{{GHA}}	{{GRD}}	{{GUY}}
{{IND}}	{{JAM}}	{{KEN}}
{{LSO}}	{{MWI}}	{{MUS}}
{{MOZ}}	{{NGA}}	{{PAK}}
{{RWA}}	{{Flag\|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}	{{Flag\|Samoa}}
{{SYC}}	{{SLE}}	{{ZAF}}
{{LKA}}	{{TZA}}	{{Flag\|Tonga}}
{{TTO}}	{{TUV}}	{{UGA}}
{{GBR}}	{{VUT}}	{{ZMB}}
{{BMU}} (Affiliate)	{{GIB}} (Affiliate) \| {{MSR}} (Affiliate)
{{Flag\|Saint Helena}} (Affiliate)
{{Flag\|The Bahamas}} (ICT Sector)	{{Flag\|Namibia}} (ICT Sector)	{{ZWE}} (ICT sector)

ICT sector members include Avanti Communications, British Telecom, Facebook, Huawei, Intelsat, PwC London, Safaricom, and Vodafone.{{cite web|title=ICT Sector Members - CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation|url=http://www.cto.int/membership/our-members/ict-sector-members/|website=www.cto.int|accessdate=19 June 2017}}

Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

History

Members

References

See also