 Logo of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation | |
| Abbreviation | CTO |
|---|---|
| Formation | 11 May 1948 |
| Type | International organization |
| Purpose | Telecommunications |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°29′40″N 0°13′53″W / 51.4945173°N 0.2314831°W |
Area served | Commonwealth of Nations |
Membership | 33 full state members |
Secretary-General | Bernadette Lewis |
| Website | www |
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.[1]
The CTO connects government and non-government entities to enhance cooperation in information and communication technology (ICT).[2]
History
To oversee the completion of the All Red Line telegraph system interlinking the British Empire, the Pacific Cable Board was formed in 1901.[3]
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.[3]
Members
The government members of the CTO are:[4]
 Bangladesh |  Barbados |  Botswana |
 Cameroon |  Eswatini |  Fiji |
 Ghana |  Grenada |  Guyana |
 India |  Jamaica |  Kenya |
 Lesotho |  Malawi |  Mauritius |
 Mozambique |  Nigeria |  Pakistan |
 Rwanda |  Saint Kitts and Nevis |  Samoa |
 Seychelles |  Sierra Leone |  South Africa |
 Sri Lanka |  Tanzania |  Tonga |
 Trinidad and Tobago |  Tuvalu |  Uganda |
 United Kingdom |  Vanuatu |  Zambia |
 Bermuda (Affiliate) |  Gibraltar (Affiliate) |
 Montserrat (Affiliate) |
 Saint Helena (Affiliate) | ||
 The Bahamas (ICT Sector) |  Namibia (ICT Sector) |  Zimbabwe (ICT sector) |
ICT sector members include Avanti Communications, British Telecom, Facebook, Huawei, Intelsat, PwC London, Safaricom, and Vodafone.[5]
References
- ↑ "Commonwealth Telegraphs Agreement, and Protocol [1957] ATS 21". www3.austlii.edu.au. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
- ↑ "About - CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation". www.cto.int. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- 1 2 "The CTO – a brief history | CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation". www.cto.int. Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ↑ "Our members - CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation". www.cto.int. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
- ↑ "ICT Sector Members - CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation". www.cto.int. Retrieved 19 June 2017.