Why Standards?
Without standards, your phone couldn’t talk to a WiFi router from a different manufacturer. Standards ensure interoperability.
Three main organizations create wireless/networking standards:
| Organization | Focus |
|---|---|
| IETF | Internet protocols |
| ITU | Global telecom coordination |
| IEEE | Hardware/physical standards |
IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)
Function: Creates Internet protocols - the rules for how data moves across the Internet.
- Open organization, anyone can participate
- Publishes RFCs (Request for Comments) as standards
- Focused on how the Internet works
IETF Working Groups
| Working Group | What They Work On |
|---|---|
| MOBILEIP | Mobile IP protocols (MIPv4, MIPv6) |
| MANET | Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (AODV, OLSR) |
| HTTPbis | HTTP protocol updates |
“If it’s an Internet protocol, IETF probably made it.”
ITU (International Telecommunication Union)
Function: UN agency that coordinates global telecom standards and radio spectrum allocation.
When countries need to agree on which frequencies to use, ITU coordinates it.
ITU Sectors
| Sector | Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| ITU-R | Radiocommunication | Radio frequencies, satellite orbits, wireless standards |
| ITU-T | Telecommunication Standardization | Network protocols, codecs, quality standards |
| ITU-D | Development | Helps developing countries build telecom infrastructure |
ITU Examples
- ITU-R allocates which frequencies 5G/6G can use worldwide
- ITU-T defines video compression standards (H.264, H.265)
- ITU-D provides technical assistance to developing nations
“If countries need to agree on something telecom-related, ITU coordinates it.”
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Function: Professional organization that creates technical standards, especially for local networking and hardware.
IEEE 802 Standards
| Standard | Name | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| 802.3 | Ethernet | Wired LAN |
| 802.11 | WiFi | Wireless LAN |
| 802.15 | WPAN | Bluetooth, ZigBee |
| 802.16 | WiMAX | Wireless MAN |
| 802.21 | MIH | Media Independent Handover |
“If it starts with 802, IEEE made it.”
How They Work Together
Example flow:
- ITU-R says “5 GHz band is for unlicensed use”
- IEEE creates 802.11a/n/ac to use that band
- IETF creates protocols (IP, TCP) that run over WiFi
Summary
| Organization | Creates | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| IETF | Internet protocols | IP, TCP, Mobile IP, HTTP |
| ITU | Global coordination, spectrum | Frequency allocation, H.264 |
| IEEE | Hardware standards | 802.11 (WiFi), 802.3 (Ethernet) |