If the spectrum is to be used efficiently, its use must be coordinated and regulated through both national regulations and the ITU Radio Regulations. The ability of each country to take full advantage of the spectrum resource depends heavily on spectrum management activities that facilitate the implementation of radio systems and ensure minimum interference.

By international spectrum regulations (the ITU "Radio Regulations"), each government has a certain degree of flexibility and autonomy in regulating its use of radio spectrum. Each administration is responsible for developing its laws and organizing itself to carry out the duties of spectrum management. Although no two administrations would manage the spectrum in exactly the same manner, the basic processes are common to all national approaches.

This ITU Seminar will give an overview of the ITU activities with respect to international and national spectrum management with a focus on the most recent developments, as well as a number of national experiences on effective and efficient management of the use of the radio spectrum. In particular the following items will be discussed:

• International and regional spectrum management systems;
• Efficient use of the spectrum/orbit resource;
• Spectrum management : main principles, legislation, structure and national experiences;
• Spectrum refarming and the digital dividend;
• Technical methods to improve spectrum efficiency, in particular cognitive radio and software defined radio;
• Optimizing spectrum use in border areas;
• Future of mobile broadband.