The International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU https://www.itu.int/en/Pages/default.aspx) World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23
https://www.itu.int/wrc-23/) will be held in the United Arab Emirates from 20 November to 15 December 2023.
ANACOM, representing Portugal, participated in the second session of the WRC-23 Preparatory Meeting, held in Geneva (Switzerland) from 27 March to 6 April. Nearly 2000 delegates attended this meeting, representing 125 ITU Member States, members of the ITU Radio Sector, several United Nations agencies and other organisations.
Some of the issues discussed at this meeting are highlighted below:
- Identification of additional frequency bands for the further development of mobile communications services (IMT, in ITU terminology);
- Improvements in the international regulatory framework for geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellites, promoting equitable access for all countries;
- Use of satellite technologies for broadband services to improve connectivity, especially in remote areas;
- New spectrum allocations to enhance radio communications in the aeronautical mobile service, including by satellite, and facilitate the use of Space Research and Earth Exploration satellite services for climate monitoring, weather forecasting and other scientific missions;
- Modernisation of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS);
- Establishment of a regulatory framework for the use of earth stations on board aircraft and vessels to communicate with geostationary orbiting (GSO) and non-geostationary orbiting (NGSO) satellites;
- The future of the UHF band, which has implications for television broadcasting, programme production and special events, as well as communications for public protection and disaster relief.
The report resulting from the work of this preparatory meeting, which will be published shortly, will be the basic document for the discussions that will take place at WRC-23 https://www.itu.int/wrc-23/, as it will reflect the results of the extensive technical preparatory studies, namely relevant technical, operational and regulatory aspects, as well as possible solutions for the various agenda items of the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2023.
