Changes

The '''World Conference on International Telecommunications, or WCIT''', is a conference held by the [[ITU|International Telecommunication Union]] (ITU) in Dubai from December 3rd to December 14th, 2012. Government representatives from 178 nations around the world will be working to renegotiate the ''[[ITR|International Telecommunications Regulations]]'' (ITR), an information and communications treaty that outlines rules for how traffic should flow between telecom networks and how to calculate charges for traffic between different international carriers interfacing with one another. The treaty has not been updated since its signing in 1988.<ref name="bbcnews-3">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20429625 Google attacks UN's internet treaty conference], BBCNews.com. Published 22 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.</ref> Of the goals of the updated treaty, the ITU has said that it hopes to ensure "the free flow of information around the world, promoting affordable and equitable access for all and laying the foundation for ongoing innovation and market growth".<ref name="bbcnews-1">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20445637 European Parliament warns against UN internet control], BBCNews.com. Published 22 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.</ref>

The '''World Conference on International Telecommunications, or WCIT''', is a conference held by the United Nations' [[ITU|International Telecommunication Union]] (ITU)  

 

The most recent WCIT is the 18th conference, held in Dubai from December 3rd to December 14th, 2012. Government representatives from 178 nations around the world will be working to renegotiate the ''[[ITR|International Telecommunications Regulations]]'' (ITR), an information and communications treaty that outlines rules for how traffic should flow between telecom networks and how to calculate charges for traffic between different international carriers interfacing with one another. The treaty has not been updated since its signing in 1988.<ref name="bbcnews-3">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20429625 Google attacks UN's internet treaty conference], BBCNews.com. Published 22 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.</ref> Of the goals of the updated treaty, the ITU has said that it hopes to ensure "the free flow of information around the world, promoting affordable and equitable access for all and laying the foundation for ongoing innovation and market growth".<ref name="bbcnews-1">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20445637 European Parliament warns against UN internet control], BBCNews.com. Published 22 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.</ref>

Any changes to the treaty must have unanimous support, as the ITU does not traditionally use a voting system. However, the ITU's Secretary-General [[Hamadoun Toure]] noted to the BBC that if there were serious disagreements to drafting a new treaty, a majority vote may be required.<ref name="bbcnews-3"></ref>

Any changes to the treaty must have unanimous support, as the ITU does not traditionally use a voting system. However, the ITU's Secretary-General [[Hamadoun Toure]] noted to the BBC that if there were serious disagreements to drafting a new treaty, a majority vote may be required.<ref name="bbcnews-3"></ref>