CITEL was founded as the Inter-American Electrical Communication Commission in May 1923. It serves as the Organization of American States’ (OAS) advisory body on telecommunications and information and communication technology (ICT) matters. CITEL coordinates OAS mandates related to telecommunications and ICT, including those from the Summits of the Americas. The commission supports member initiatives to expand ICT in rural, unserved, and underserved areas.
OAS Mandates
CITEL coordinates telecommunications and ICT mandates from the OAS General Assembly and the Summits of the Americas. These mandates guide the commission’s work in promoting telecom policy and ICT expansion in the Americas.
ICT Expansion
CITEL supports initiatives to expand telecommunications and ICT in rural, unserved, and underserved areas. This includes promoting policies and technologies that improve connectivity and access to ICT services.
10GHz Band Proposal
In May 2023, CITEL was scheduled to discuss a proposal to repurpose the 10GHz band for 5G. This proposal aims to meet the growing demand for 5G services and improve connectivity in the Americas.