ITU‑T Study Group 21: Technologies for multimedia, content delivery and cable television (Study Period 2025 - 2028)
ITU‑T Study Group 21 is responsible for studies relating to multimedia technologies, capabilities, systems, applications and services for existing and future networks, including Internet Protocol (IP)-based and cable-based networks.
This encompasses studies relating to:
- ICTs for multimedia systems, applications, services, terminals and delivery platforms; accessibility for digital inclusion; ICTs for active assisted living; human interfaces; multimedia aspects of distributed ledger technologies (DLTs); media and signal coding and systems; digital multimedia services to support various verticals (e.g. digital health, digital culture and mobility); and multimedia aspects of metaverse-related issues;
- use of telecommunication systems for: a) contribution, primary distribution and secondary distribution of audiovisual content (including television programmes and related data services, and advanced capabilities, e.g. ultra-high definition, high-dynamic range); and b) multimedia applications providing immersive experiences, virtual reality, augmented reality and multiview, including 3D (stereoscopy type and holographic type);
- use of telecommunication networks, e.g. coaxial cable, optical fibre, hybrid fibre-coaxial cable and IP networks, to also provide integrated broadband services including interconnection with other types of networks such as fixed wireless access networks (e.g. radio local access network, private International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020) network and beyond);
NOTE 1 – Private IMT-2020 network is intended to refer to private wireless networks specifically designed for supplementing a cable television access network;
NOTE 2 – The cable network, primarily designed for audiovisual content delivery to the home, also carries time critical services, such as voice, gaming, video-on-demand, interactive and multiscreen services, to customer premises equipment in the home or enterprise;
- use of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to enhance multimedia applications and services and integrated broadband services over telecommunication networks.
NOTE 3 – When ITU‑T Study Group 16 was created in 1996, one of its mandates was to continue ITU‑T Study Group 1's studies on multimedia services. Accordingly, references to "services" in the context of ITU‑T Study Group 21's mandate are to be understood as "multimedia services".
Lead Study Group Roles
Recommendations under the SG21 responsibility
