The standardisation work performed by the ITU (the International Telecommunication Union within the UN) is structured into study groups, subdivided into working parties, which are then subdivided into questions or working groups. New study groups are launched periodically and last for several years. Now, in 2025, a new period has begun, and the group SG21 (‘Study Group 21’) has been created based on two study groups from the previous period.

Standardisation is performed through contributions. Before a meeting, a period of time is established to submit contributions, whether to propose a new working document or to modify an existing one. These documents may be recommendations (policy documents) or technical papers/reports (informative documents).

During the meetings, all the contributions received are discussed by experts. The points in favour and against them are discussed, and changes and improvements are suggested. The final objective is to develop a consensus document that will be approved at several instances.

TransMedia Catalonia, a research group within the AccessCat Network, has ample experience in the field of standardisation with many entities, including the ITU. On our website, you may see some of the standardisation activities that have been performed in recent years.

Their latest contribution to standardisation was in the framework of SG21: Technologies for multimedia, content delivery and cable television, which was held in Geneva from 13 to 24 January, a hybrid event with in-person events as well as online attendance.

During those days, researchers Anna Matamala, Estel·la Oncins, and Pilar Orero attended the Q1/21 (the SG21’s ‘Question 1’) and the plenary sessions. Matamala was named associate rapporteur, so she will lead Q1/21 together with Avinash Agarwal, the main rapporteur. Moreover, Oncins and Orero led some of the discussions in the Q8/20 (the SG20’s ‘Question 8’). 

The TransMedia researchers proposed several technical reports and recommendations during these meetings. They also participated in the IRG-AVA (Intersector Rapporteur Group on AV Media Accessibility) meeting, during which two contributions were presented, as well as participating in the existing debates related to the ENACT, WEL, IMMERSE, and INCLUSIVRITY. 

The event ended with excellent results in the field of standardisation. To sum up:

• Three proposals for New Work Items (NWI) that emerge from the group’s research and prior work in the Focus Group on Metaverse.
• For contributions in IRG-AVA. TransMedia Catalonia stands out as one of the most active partners.
• Anna Matamala was appointed associate rapporteur, which will grant more visibility to the UAB and the AccessCat Network in the leadership sphere of the ITU.