The biennial ITU World Radiocommunication Seminar (WRS) returned to Geneva from 24-28 October for an in-person capacity building programme. At the event, participants received hands-on training on the application of Radio Regulations and the equitable access to the radio-frequency spectrum and associated satellite orbits for space services.
For the second time, the WRS Plenary Sessions were open to everyone, including entities that are not members of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). Overall, 427 individuals from 92 countries took part in activities offered during the week-long event.
Together with Regional Radiocommunication Seminars, World Radiocommunication Seminars provide an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the Radio Regulations as revised by the last World Radiocommunication Conference in 2019. These seminars, held every two years for ITU members worldwide, also aim to provide participants with essential technical and regulatory background information to assist them as they prepare for the next ITU World Radiocommunication Conference, to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 20 November to 15 December 2023.
"The World Radiocommunication Seminar is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the procedures that regulate and govern the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits," said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. "Capacity building remains a key component of ITU's engagement with all our members so that they can leverage the benefits of information and communication technology and advance digital transformation for all."
The seminar covered topics related to spectrum management at global, regional, and national levels. Participants were presented with an overview of the ITU Radio Regulations (2020 Version), to help them better understand the regulatory framework for terrestrial and space radiocommunication services including frequency allocations, the filing process for obtaining new frequency assignments, along with related software and tools. Participants were also updated on the current activities and hot topics being undertaken by the ITU Radiocommunication Study Groups.
Regarding the importance of World and Regional Radiocommunication Seminars, Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, explained: "The Radio Regulations provide an international regulatory framework for the introduction of new, innovative technologies while simultaneously ensuring that all radio systems can coexist without receiving harmful interference. It is therefore critical that countries understand how to apply these regulations to build robust digital systems that benefit people everywhere."
The WRS-22 Plenary sessions covered radiocommunication-related matters, application of ITU Radio Regulations and trends in various radiocommunication services. Participants were also introduced to the activities and work of the ITU-R Study Groups, the Radio Regulations Board, the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA) and the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC).
During the WRS-22 space and terrestrial workshops held over four days, participants received hands-on experience with ITU notification procedures as well as with the software, databases and electronic publications made available by the Radiocommunication Bureau to the ITU membership. Tailored sessions were also available for both beginners and advanced users of BR software tools.
Resources:
Backgrounder on ITU-R Study Groups
About the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
