ITU WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE (WRC-15) ALLOCATES SPECTRUM FOR FUTURE INNOVATION, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITY

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) holds World Radiocommunication conferences (WRC) every four years to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Revisions are made on the basis of an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which takes into account recommendations made by previous World Radiocommunication conferences. The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) concluded its deliberations on 27 November 2015 with the signature of the Final Acts that revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. Around 3300 participants, representing 162 out of ITU’s 193 Member States attended the four-week conference from 2 to 27 November. Some 500 participants representing 130 other entities, including industry, also attended the conference as observers. WRC-15 addressed over 40 topics related to frequency allocation and frequency sharing for the efficient use of spectrum and orbital resources. The outcomes ensure high quality radiocommunication services for mobile broadband and satellite communications, maritime and aeronautical transport, air and road safety as well as for scientific purposes related to the environment, meteorology and climatology, disaster prediction, mitigation and relief. The decisions of the ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences are aimed at maintaining a stable, predictable and universally applied regulatory environment that secures long-term investments for the multi-trillion-dollar ICT industry including outer space activities. WRC-15 is barely completed that preparatory work for WRC-19 is already shaping up.

The purposes of the presentation will be to analyze the main outcomes of WRC-15 and plans for the next conference that set new challenges as well as bring new opportunities for billions around the world. ITU is committed to connecting all the world’s people, whenever they live and whatever their means, and the WRC process is an essential element in that endeavor.

Speaker

Attila MATAS

Head of the Space Publications and Registration Division, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Switzerland