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THE ITU
(INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION)
 The ITU
(International Telecommunication Union)
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 Founded in 1865
 “… is an international organisation within which
governments and the private sector coordinate
global telecommunication networks and services”
 Foundation for today’s radiocommunications
services
 Roles of ITU
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 Regulation
 spectrum management and coordination
 Radio Regulations
 Standardisation
 ITU Recommendations
 seamless interworking of systems on a global basis
 technical characteristics/specifications, operational procedures, “best”
practices
 Development
 assistance to developing countries
 improving telecoms infrastructure in the developing world
 catalyst for forging development partnerships
 increasing awareness of today’s technologies
 ITU Membership
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 ITU founded on principle of cooperation between

governments and the private sector
 Membership encompasses:
 telecoms policy makers
 regulators
 network operators
 equipment manufacturers
 hardware and software developers
 regional standards-making organizations
 financial institutions
 ITU shaped by the industry it serves
 ITU
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MEMBERSHIP
 Member States (governments): 189
 Sector Members: 660
 Recognised Operating Agencies
 Scientific or Industrial Organisations
 Other entities dealing with telecom matters
 Regional or other International Organisations
 Region Telecommunication Organisations
 Intergovernmental Orgs. operating sat. systems

 Associates
 ITU
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Governing Bodies
 Plenipotentiary Conference
 Constitution and Convention of ITU
 Council
 policies and strategy
 coordination role

 World Conferences
 to negotiate agreements serving as basis for operation of
global telecoms services
 Radiocommunication Conferences, e.g. WRC-2000
 World Radiocommunication
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Conferences (WRC)
 Changes to the Radio Regulations
 accommodate new systems and services
 increased demands for spectrum

 Table of frequency allocations (Article 5)

 9 kHz – 275 GHz
 footnotes

 Frequency plans
 e.g. broadcasting satellite plan at ~ 12 GHz
 assignment plans
 allotment plans
 ITU
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ORGANISATION
 Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)
(secretariat BR)
 Telecommunication Standardisation Sector (ITU-T)
(secretariat TSB)
 Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)
(secretariat BDT)
 General Secretariat
 RADIOCOMMUNICATION SECTOR
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(ITU-R)
Aim:
“.. to ensure rational, equitable, efficient and
economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum
and satellite orbits”
“.. to carry out studies and adopt Recommendations
on radiocommunication matters”
 ITU-R objective
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Objective achieved through (inter alia):

 World (and Regional) Radiocommunication

Conferences
 Approval of Recommendations

Technical studies are required

which are conducted in Study Groups
 ITU-R Study Groups
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 Groups of experts from ITU membership

 Draft technical bases for WRCs (and RRCs)
 Draft Recommendations
 technicalcharacteristics
 operational procedures

 Compile Handbooks
 Radiocommunication Assembly
 Study Groups
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 SG 1: Spectrum management
 SG 3: Radiowave propagation
 SG 4: Fixed-satellite service
 SG 6: Broadcasting service
 SG 7: Science services
 SG 8: Mobile services
 SG 9: Fixed service
 ITU-R Study Groups
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 Currently 7 Study Groups

 Subordinate groups
 Working Party
 Task Group
 Rapporteur Group
 Joint …….

 Coordination Committee for Vocabulary

 Special Committee (regulatory/procedural)
 CPM - Conference Preparatory Meeting
 Scope of Study Group 1
(Spectrum management)
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 Principles and techniques for

 spectrum management
 sharing criteria and methods

 spectrum monitoring

 long-term strategies for spectrum utilization

 Inter-service sharing and compatibility

 Scope of Study Group 3
(Radiowave propagation)
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Propagation of radiowaves in ionized and non-

ionized media and the characteristics of radio noise,
for the purpose of improving radiocommunication
systems
 Scope of Study Group 4
(Fixed-satellite service)
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Systems and networks for the FSS and inter-satellite

links (in the FSS), including associated tracking,
telemetry and telecommand functions
 Scope of Study Group 6
(Broadcasting service)
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Radiocommunication broadcasting (terrestrial and

satellite) of vision, sound, multimedia and data
services primarily intended for delivery to the
general public
 Scope of Study Group 7
(Science services)
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 Systems for space operation, space research, Earth

exploration and meteorology
 Radio astronomy
 Standard frequency and time signals
 SG 7
- some key areas of study -
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 Allocations for space science services

 space operations and space research services
 precipitation radars (~ 35 GHz)

 Earth exploration satellite service (420-470

MHz)
 Radio astronomy
 protection criteria
 Scope of Study Group 8
(Mobile services)
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Systems and networks for the mobile,

radiodetermination and amateur services, including
related satellite services
 Scope of Study Group 9
(Fixed service)
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Systems and networks of the fixed service

operating via terrestrial stations
 Joint Studies
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 Joint Task Group (JTG) 4-7-8-9

5 GHz band allocations
 WRC-03 AI 1.5
 Resolution 736 (WRC-2000)

 JTG 4-7-8
Sharing in band 13.75-14 GHz
 WRC-03 AI 1.24
 Resolution 733 (WRC-2000)
 Study Group Products
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 Technical bases for WRC

 Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM)
 CPM report to WRC

 Draft ITU-R Recommendations

 Handbooks
 CPM Report to WRC-03
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1. Radionavigation, radnav-sat and radiolocation

services
2. Mobile, mob-satellite and space science services
3. Fixed-satellite and broadcast-sat services
4. Fixed and fixed-sat services and HAPS
5. Maritime-mobile, amateur and am-sat, and b’cast
services at MF and HF
6. Other matters
7. Future work programme
 ITU-R Recommendations
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 > 900 Recommendations in 16 series

 “Standards” in areas of spectrum management and
radio technology
 Result of consensus from meetings of world-wide
experts
 Some referred to in RR
 Used by spectrum planners and system designers
 ITU-R Handbooks
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 Over 30 published
 Tutorial in nature
 Emphasis on use by developing countries
 Liaison with ITU-D (and ITU-T)
 Continuing Handbook programme in ITU-R
 Concluding remarks
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 The Study Groups represent a major aspect of ITU-

R activities
 Technical forum for discussion amongst experts
 Technical bases for Radio Conferences
 Recommendations and Handbooks