The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is an independent, non-profit standardization organization of the European telecommunications industry (equipment manufacturers and network operators), with global reach. The ETSI has had great success in standardizing the GSM mobile telephone system, the TETRA professional mobile radio system and setting requirements for Short Range Devices, including the LPD radio.

Significant standardization bodies under ETSI are 3GPP (for UMTS networks), TISPAN (for fixed networks and convergence with the Internet) and M2M (for machine-to-machine communications). The ETSI inspired the creation of the 3GPP consortium of which it is a part.

ETSI was created by CEPT in 1988 and is officially recognized by the European Commission and the Secretariat of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Based in France's Sophia Antipolis Science Park, ETSI is officially responsible for the standardization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within Europe. These technologies include telecommunications, broadcasting and related areas such as intelligent transportation and medical electronics. ETSI has 755 members from various countries and provinces within and outside Europe,[1]​ and includes manufacturers, network operators, administrations, service providers, research organizations and user organizations.

In 2010, the ETSI budget exceeded 22 million euros, with contributions coming from members, commercial activities such as the sale of documents, hosting of forums and connection tests,[2]​ work contracts and partner financing.[3]​ About 40% is allocated to operating expenses and the remaining 60% towards work programs that include competence centers and special projects.

Current full members of the ETSI are the EU Member States, Albania, Germany, Andorra, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Ukraine, Turkey and Georgia. Current associate members are Australia, Canada, United States, Brazil, South Africa, Lesotho, Egypt, Israel, Yemen, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Uzbekistan, People's Republic of China (along with separate memberships for their special administrative regions such as Hong Kong and Macau), India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. 23 organizations appear as observer members.[1]​.

The ETSI produces various documents for different purposes. They are generally known as standards, each of which requires a different approval process.[4]​.