The OpenID Foundation is pleased to announce a liaison partnership with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

ETSI provides members with an open and inclusive environment to support the development, ratification and testing of globally applicable standards for ICT systems and services across all sectors of industry and society. ETSI is a not-for-profit body with over 900 member organizations worldwide, drawn from 65 countries and five continents. Members comprise a diversified pool of large and small private companies, research entities, academia, government, and public organizations. The EU officially recognizes ETSI as a European Standards Organization (ESO).

The Foundation and ETSI established the liaison as both organizations have the common objective to perform and promote, directly or indirectly regional, and international standardization to contribute to the establishment of a global information infrastructure. Furthermore, the Foundation and ETSI will collaborate in the ICT standardization and interoperability areas and work together for mutual benefit. Both organizations may seek to encourage and develop collaborative activities, including exchanging ideas and expertise about the European Union’s policy towards standardization in general.

OpenID Foundation Vice Chairman, Bjorn Hjelm with Verizon Wireless, represents the Foundation in the liaison partnership with ETSI.