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Our strategy

Our strategy

Designing tomorrow's world

ETSI strategy in brief (leaflet)

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ETSI's Strategic Position Worldwide Community Innovative and market driven Recognized European Standardization Organization with global impact

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Our mission ETSI's mission is to provide platforms where interested parties come together and collaborate on the development and promotion of standards for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and services, used globally for the benefit of all.

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Our vision Designing tomorrow's world, ETSI is at the forefront of new Information and Communication Technology, leading the development of standards that enable a sustainable and securely connected society.

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ETSI's Five Strategic Directions ETSI aims to maintain and strengthen its strategic position through a number of Key Strategic Directions, each defining a major area of development for ETSI. Together, they define ETSI's journey to achieve its ambitions and some of the expected major stages of that journey.

Being at the Heart of Digital Being an Enabler of Standards Being Global Being Versatile Being Inclusive

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Titled Designing tomorrow’s world, our strategy develops from our mission and values, and defines our strategic directions to fulfil an ambitious vision of ETSI’s future.

To develop our strategy, we have taken a high-level view of the main socioeconomic, policy-making and technology trends characterizing the ecosystem where ETSI operates and that may impact our activities.

We have considered a wide range of factors, including climate change, the circular economy, energy efficiency and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the role of SMEs, European policy initiatives and the EC’s industrial strategy. From a more technology-driven perspective, we have also considered cutting-edge innovation in ICT, ranging from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to developments in cloud, photonics and quantum computing.

In addition, we have re-examined the changing role of ICT in society manifested through digital transformation and the evolution to a data-driven society, the increasing roles of virtualization and cloud computing as well as issues related to security and privacy. Finally, we have explored the roles of the main players in the ICT ecosystem, the importance of standardization in different industry sectors, and the importance of learning, education and skills.

The successful development of Designing tomorrow’s world has been a collective exercise, depending on the contribution and consensus of all our members. 

ETSI's Strategic Position

ETSI operations are underpinned by a number of basic principles that constitute its core and from which its strategy and activities stem. These principles are:

Worldwide community ETSI is inclusive with a global membership representing a wide range of stakeholders, a global network of partnerships ETSI works across all sectors of industry and society that make, use or rely on ICT ETSI favours partnering, promoting global collaboration ETSI activities are driven by its members ETSI promotes the knowledge and benefits of standards Innovative and market driven ETSI works at the forefront of emerging and developing technologies ETSI’s work is based on timeliness, quality and responsiveness for the benefit of the market, consumers and society at large ETSI delivers an extensive portfolio of ICT standards with an end-to-end perspective ETSI produces standards aimed at being adopted by all markets, even the most competitive ETSI welcomes and encourages innovation contributed to all its activities, including standards, methodologies, rules and processes ETSI enables the availability of world class technologies for all through standardization ETSI promotes the visibility and availability of its standards  Recognized European Standardization Organization with global impact ETSI is fully compliant with WTO TBT provisions and EU Regulations ETSI adopts a consensus approach in its decision making ETSI supports EU strategic objectives, regulatory requirements and policies ETSI in its standardization work strives for a sustainable future ETSI supports and promotes the EU Industrial Strategy objectives of becoming more green, digital and resilient 

Our mission

ETSI’s mission is to provide platforms where interested parties come together and collaborate on the development and promotion of standards  for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and services, used globally for the benefit of all.

Our vision

Designing tomorrow’s world, ETSI is at the forefront of new Information and Communication Technology, leading the development of standards that enable a sustainable and securely connected society.

ETSI's Five Strategic Directions                                                                         

ETSI aims to maintain and strengthen its strategic position through a number of Key Strategic Directions, each defining a major area of development for ETSI. Together, they define ETSI’s journey to achieve its ambitions and some of the expected major stages of that journey.

      1. Being at the Heart of Digital

ETSI is at the forefront of the standardization of new and existing digital technologies and the preferred point of call for ICT related standardization. ETSI enables comprehensive end-to-end ICT architectures and technologies, including device, network and cloud.

      2. Being an Enabler of Standards

ETSI provides support and a range of tools to enable the identification of the needs and requirements for standards and their production and adoption. ETSI is the enabler of standards in response to regulatory, legislative, policy and market needs

     3. Being Global

ETSI creates standards intended for global use, with a membership from across the world and partnerships covering all regions and relevant sectors for ICT. ETSI tailors its processes to influence worldwide standards. ETSI builds on its ESO status to contribute to the European economy.

    4. Being Versatile

ETSI innovates in its working methods, creating room for wide participation, innovation, time to deployment, and the global acceptance of its standards. ETSI may work with developer communities to support the creation and maintenance of test suites and tools and additional standard-related software material.

   5. Being Inclusive

ETSI’s membership represents real market and societal needs, from local to global, leveraging the digitization of business and industry, circular economy and the sustainable development of modern society. ETSI comprises large and small companies and research organizations, as well as other business, consumer, societal and environmental stakeholders. 

To learn more, read our full Strategy brochure in eBook or Download the PDF.

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Statement regarding IPR

We issue the following public statement to clarify that ETSI does not take any position regarding the correct interpretation of its IPR policy and its IPR Guide:

The ETSI IPR Policy and the IPR Guide texts stand as independent documents in their own right.

It is reiterated that specific licensing terms and negotiations are commercial matters between the companies and shall not be addressed within ETSI. The basic principle of the ETSI IPR regime remains FRAND with no specific preference for any licensing model.

See more information related to IPR on our dedicated webpage.

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Global Standards Collaboration (GSC)

We also collaborate at the global level. We are a founding partner of the Global Standards Collaboration (GSC) and cooperate with various global organizations including:

the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

We provide technical advice to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) through our participation in its Technical Liaison Group (TLG).

GSC promotes global standards collaboration in areas of common interest by:

enhancing cooperation facilitating the exchange of information on standards development building synergies reducing duplication Membership

The following organizations collaborate in the GSC:

ARIB – Association of Radio Industries and Business – Japan ATIS – Alliance for Telecommunications Industry – USA CCSA – China Communications Standards Association – China ETSI – European Telecommunications Standards Institute – Europe IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission IEEE-SA – IEEE Standards Association ISO – International Organization for Standardization ITU – International Telecommunication Union TTC – Telecommunication Technology Committee – Japan TIA – Telecommunications Industry Association – USA TSDSI – Telecommunications Standards Development Society – India TTA – Telecommunication Technology Association – Korea

ETSI in China - SESEC

Major economic, political and social changes around the world are shaping new markets. This creates new opportunities for trade and investment for Europe.

The three European Standards Organizations (ESOs: CEN, CENELEC and ETSI) have therefore appointed a Seconded European Standardization Expert in China (SESEC).

This project was created in 2006 and is co-financed by the European Commission, the European Free Trade Association and the ESOs.

The overall objective of the project is to represent the interests of the European standardization community in China. SESEC aims to increase cooperation between Europe and China in standardization-related matters. The project focuses mainly on standardization developments in China at the provincial level.

Specific objectives include:

Promoting European and international standards in China Improving contacts with different levels of Chinese administration, industry and standardization bodies Improving the visibility and understanding of the European standardization system in China Gathering regulatory and standardization intelligence

The current Expert, Dr Betty Xu, is based in Beijing.

For more information about the project, please see the SESEC website or contact our External Relations Officer.

ETSI in India - SESEI

India is another major economic interest for shaping new markets and creating new opportunities for trade and investment for Europe.

The three European Standards Organizations (ESOs: CEN, CENELEC and ETSI) have therefore appointed a Seconded European Standardization Expert in India (SESEI).

This project was launched in 2013 and is co-financed by the European Commission, the European Free Trade Association and the ESOs.

The SESEI project promotes EU-India cooperation on standards and related policies and regulation. The objective is to:

enhance the visibility of European standardization activities increase cooperation between Indian and European standardization bodies support European companies facing standardization-related issues which hamper market access to India

The current expert, Dinesh Chand Sharma, is based in the European Business and Technology Centre in New Delhi. He acts as a bridge-builder between the European and Indian standardization communities.

We assisted with the establishment of the new Indian Telecom Standards Development Organization, the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).

For more information about the project, please see the SESEI website or contact our External Relations Officer.

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History of ETSI

ETSI was set up in 1988 by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in response to proposals from the European Commission.

There have been many significant events and achievements since ETSI was created – and many of them have had a global impact.

The list below highlights some of the landmarks in our history.

2019: Re-election of Luis Jorge Romero as Director-General (2019 to 2024) 2019: First Releases of 5G ready for implementation 2018: Number of standards published passes 40 000 mark 2017: The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) completed its transition period supported by Harmonised Standards from ETSI 2016: oneM2M release 2 specifications published 2015: oneM2M release 1 specifications published 2013: Regulation 1025/2012 replaced Directive 98/34/EC. ETSI is officially confirmed as a European Standards Organization, ETSI can be mandated by EC to produce standards and specifications to meet policy needs, esp. legislative needs (e.g. Harmonised Standards), ICT standardization distinctly recognized, ETSI direct participation model recognized 2012: Number of standards published passes 30 000 mark 2012: ETSI launches Cloud Standards Co-ordination at request of the EC 2012: ETSI is a founding partner in the launch of the oneM2M partnership initiative for the global deployment of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications systems 2011: Election of Luis Jorge Romero as Director-General (2011 to 2016 - 1st term of 5 years & 2016 to 2019 - prolongation until next election) 2009: First LTE Release completed 2008: Number of standards produced passes 20 000 mark 2006: Introduction of Industry Specification Groups (ISGs) 2006: Election of Walter Weigel as Director-General (2006 to 2011) 2002: First releases of UMTS ready for implementation 2002: Number of standards produced passes 10 000 mark 2001: The ETSI Bake-Off service is re-branded as ETSI  PlugtestsTM 2000: ETSI introduces Testing and Test Control Notation version 3 (TTCN-3), which has gone on to become a globally successful test specification language 2000: Launch of ‘eEurope’ by the European Union – ETSI participates to provide standards for ‘An Information Society for All’ 2000: Number of standards produced passes 5 000 mark 1999: The ETSI Bake-Off service (later to become Plugtests™) is created 1999: ETSI introduces paperless meetings 1999: ETSI makes all standards freely available on the web 1998: ETSI is a founding partner in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP™) 1998: Directive 98/34/EC: Replaces Directive 83/189/EEC, ETSI officially recognised as a European Standards Organization 1997: Creation of the ETSI PAS process that enables an ETSI partner to submit Publicly Available Specifications for adoption by ETSI 1997: ETSI starts to create European Standards (ENs), replacing European Telecommunications Standards (ETSs) 1996: ETSI Board created to replace the Technical Assembly 1995: Number of standards produced passes 1 000 mark 1995: ETSI publishes the Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) standard for use by emergency services and others 1993: ETSI establishes its Intellectual Property Rights policy 1993: ETSI officially confirmed as a European Standards Organization under directive 83/189/EEC 1992: ETSI introduces distribution of standards documents to National Standards Organizations via satellite 1990: Global Standards Collaboration process launched, to enhance co-operation between standards organisations around the world 1990: ETSI establishes Joint Technical Committee with the European Broadcasting Union to produce broadcast-related standards (CENELEC joined in 1995) 1990: ETSI, CEN and CENELEC sign joint co-operation agreement 1990: Election of Karl-Heinz Rosenbrock as Director-General (1990 to 2006) 1989: GSM committee transferred from CEPT to ETSI 1988: First GSM specs ready for implementation July 1988: First ETSI Technical Assembly Mid-1988: Secretariat begins work May 1988: Professor Diodato Gagliardi appointed as Director-General of ETSI (1988 to 1990) April 1988: The first stone of ETSI’s new purpose-built headquarters laid March 1988: First ETSI General Assembly January 1988: Creation of ETSI 1987: GSM Memorandum of Understanding signed 1987: The Directors-General of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) take a decision in principle to found ETSI 1987: The EC publishes a Green Paper which first floated the idea of a European Telecommunications Standards Institute 1986: The European Commission (EC) leads a fact-finding mission on telecommunications to the US

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The role we have in Europe

ETSI plays a key role in supporting regulation and legislation with technical standards and specifications. To do this we co-operate with other organizations including:

the European Commission (EC) the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) Supporting European regulation & legislation

We are recognized by the European Union (EU) as one of the three official European Standards Organizations (ESO) under Regulation 1025/2012. Our work supports the policies of the EU and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In particular we produce standards to support European regulation and legislation. These are defined in Regulations, Directives and Decisions developed by the EU.

Specifically, we produce Harmonised Standards (European Standards (ENs) with a special status). By adhering to these standards, manufacturers and service providers can claim ‘presumption of conformity’ with the essential requirements of a directive (by self-declaration). This saves them from having to go through costly type approval processes in different member states. Manufacturers can also then use the well-recognized CE marking for their products. This helps ensure the free movement of goods within the Single European Market. It also enables enterprises in the EU to be more competitive.

Standardization for EU competitiveness

Beginning of 2019 we have commissioned a report Calling the Shots: Standardization for EU Competitiveness in a Digital Era that calls on the EU to retake the global leadership in digital standard setting.

The report was drawn up by an independent panel of experts brought together by Kreab and led by Carl Bildt, the former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sweden. The panel gathered insights and experience from industry, politics and academia.

It is important that EU lawmakers put standardization at the centre of EU digital and industrial strategy. The release of the report is timed to coincide with the new five-year mandates of the European Commission and the European Parliament. It is designed to provide policy makers with essential information as they develop a new industrial strategy for the EU. 

The report reflects neither the official policy of ETSI, nor its governing bodies and members. It represents a realization by ETSI that the questions addressed in the report need to be considered as a matter of political priority, at a time of leadership transition in the European institutions.

Please see the report Calling the shots.

The release of the Bildt report “Calling the shots” drew strong interest from the standardization community, and it was agreed to launch a Task Force to operationalize the recommendations of the report. The Task Force was hosted by ETSI and was open to all members and non-members interested in working collaboratively on turning the recommendations into concrete measures and actions. The Task Force worked at speed to deliver its proposals and credit for this should go to all participants, including CEN and CENELEC and their members who were, as ETSI, very keen to contribute to the debate on standardization for the digital era.

Please see the report of the task force.

Cooperation between the European Standards Organizations

We work in close cooperation with CEN and CENELEC, the other two European Standards Organizations (ESOs). Our work particularly focuses on matters that are the subject of an EC standardization request. Although the three ESOs deal with different sectors, we have common interests. Information Technology and telecommunications are converging. We need to coordinate our policies and our work programmes to avoid overlapping activities and to increase efficiency.

ETSI, CEN and CENELEC have had a joint cooperation agreement in place since 1990. This enables us to create joint technical committees to produce joint standards. These standards are then published by all three bodies.

We manage our coordination in the ‘Joint Presidents’ Group’. This is a forum for top-level agreements between the ESOs on matters of common policy.

Informal exchanges also take place between our technical committees through common members and experts. There are joint groups to coordinate activities.

In addition, the ESOs have Seconded European Standardization Experts working in India (the SESEI project) and China (the SESEC project). The aim is to promote cooperation with these countries on standards, related policies and regulation.

In December 2022, the three ESOs jointly with the EC and EFTA published the outcome of a joint Task Force. This TF was created to work together on short, medium and long term solutions to address strategic and operational matters that enables the European standardization system to deliver a green, digital and resilient Single Market.

Read the flyer here

Work with our National Standards Organizations

We work closely with the National Standards Organizations (NSOs) in the European countries.

In particular, all our ENs become the national standards of the different EU/EFTA member states. The NSOs are responsible for organizing the Public Enquiry in their respective country as part of the EN approval process. They also submit the national position (the ‘vote’) on the standard.

  1. Our partnerships
  2. Our operations
  3. Our expertise
  4. Our structure

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