Project activities of the ITU consist of, primarily, World Radio Conferences, Study Groups and Development Conferences. The general purpose and scope of each of these activities is described here in this section. A more detailed description of WRC 2003 and 2007 along with the agenda for WRC 2011 can be found in the next section, Recent World Radio Conferences.
ITU radiocommunication conferences are held every two to three years. One of the main jobs done at the radio conferences is the review, and, if necessary, revisions to the Radio Regulations (See Section 2.3.4 Radio Regulations), the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits.
ITU-R World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences establish treaty level regulations, agreements and plans for the global use of the radio frequency spectrum. Revisions to treaties 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 general scope of the agenda of world radiocommunication conferences is established four to six years in advance, with the final agenda set by the ITU Council two years before the conference, with the concurrence of a majority of Member States.
Under the terms of the ITU Constitution, a WRC can:
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revise the Radio Regulations and any associated frequency assignment and allotment plans;
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address any radiocommunication matter of worldwide character;
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instruct the Radio Regulations Board and the Radiocommunication Bureau, and review their activities;
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determine the questions to be studied by the Radiocommunication Assembly and related Study Groups in preparation for future Radiocommunication Conferences.
On the basis of contributions from administrations, the Special Committee, the Radiocommunication Study Groups, and other sources (see Article 19 of the Convention (Geneva, 1992)) concerning the regulatory, technical, operational and procedural matters to be considered by World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences, the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) shall prepare a consolidated report to be used in support of the work of such conferences.
ITU-R Study Groups, in addition to advancing radiocommunication science, prepare the technical, regulatory and operational basis for the treaty level Radiocommunication Conferences. The work of the Study Groups is overseen by the Radiocommunication Assembly which normally takes place in association with a World Radiocommunication Conference. While other ITU-R Study Groups deal with specific radio services, ITU-R Study Group 1 focuses specifically on Spectrum Management and Study Group 3 addresses radiowave propagation. As part of its work, Study Group 1 has produced handbooks on national spectrum management, on spectrum monitoring and on computer-aided techniques for spectrum management.
Project activities include preparing for and participating in these ITU conferences, assemblies and meetings. It is important for all spectrum regulators to keep abreast of the activities undertaken within the ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) since many of these activities have a direct impact on the national regulation of the radio frequency spectrum. For more information on the broad scope of the ITU-R’s activities, see (www.itu.int/ITU-R/ ).
In addition to ITU-R activities, the ITU’s Development Sector (ITU-D) is committed, among other things, to assisting spectrum regulators in carrying out their responsibilities. This occurs through workshops and other training opportunities, publications, virtual conferences, the Global Symposium for Regulators, regional meetings of regulators, sharing of legislation and country experiences, etc. For more information, see www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/ .
ITU-D Study Group 2 on the development and management of telecommunication services and networks also addresses several topics related to spectrum management including the development of a software based Spectrum Management System for Developing Countries (SMS4DC), information on the calculation of spectrum fees, etc.
The ITU Development Conference adopted Resolution 9 (Rev. Doha, 2006) on the participation of countries, particularly developing countries, in spectrum management. Cooperative work has been performed pursuant to this Resolution by experts participating in a joint group between ITU-R and ITU-D. The text of this resolution is available at: www.itu.int/ITU-D/conferences/wtdc/2006/pdf/dohaactionplan.pdf
To follow all ITU activities related to spectrum management is very resource intensive and priorities must be established so that the most critical activities are closely monitored. A cost effective way of involvement in ITU work is to participate in the ITU related activities of regional and sub-regional telecom organizations. These organizations can be an efficient and effective way by which countries can influence global decisions. A brief description of these organizations is given below along with their web sites where more information may be found.
A compilation of the legislation of different countries may be found at: www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/profiles/LegislationSelect.asp?lang=en
A database related to the establishment of spectrum fees is available at: www.itu.int/ITU-D/study_groups/SGP_2002-2006/SF-Database/index.asp
A set of Best Practice Guidelines for Spectrum Management to Promote Broadband Access adopted at the Global Symposium for Regulators 2005 is available at: www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/bestpractices.html