As a result of the rapid rise of radio-based services over the last decade, ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) faces an onerous and growing number of responsibilities. In addition to coordinating the development of timely standards for new and evolving wireless communications systems, the Sector also establishes the global framework for management of the radio frequency spectrum and the procedures for coordinating the use of frequencies and the orbits used by communications satellites.

The Radiocommunication Assembly oversees eight Study Groups and a Special Committee on Regulatory and Procedural Matters. The World Radiocommunication Conference is the international treaty-making conference held every two to three years that prescribes the use of frequency spectrum for radio-based services around the world.

Preparations for WRC-2000

During 1999 preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference (Istanbul 8 May – 2 June 2000), continued apace, involving all Study Groups and the Special Committee on Regulatory and Procedural Matters of the Radiocommunication Sector.

Areas of particular focus included the finalization of studies on sharing between the non-geostationary fixed satellite service (non-GSO FSS) and other services such as the geostationary (GSO) FSS and GSO Broadcast Satellite Service and Fixed Service (FS). The studies covered sharing criteria, power limits, the methodology for calculating the power levels produced by non-GSO FSS systems and a review of the regulatory conditions for sharing.

In addition, the Sector devoted much effort to examining future requirements for additional spectrum for IMT-2000 systems, for both its terrestrial and satellite components. Recommendations outlining methodologies for spectrum estimation were prepared, and sharing studies were conducted in several candidate bands.

The ITU-R also organized the all-important WRC-2000 Conference Preparatory Meeting in Geneva in December, producing a report containing concise, accurate information on technical, operational and regulatory issues which will form the basis of the month-long discussions at WRC-2000.

Study Group Activities

During 1999, the Sector’s Study Groups concentrated on the preparation of new and updated Recommendations on spectrum issues and system characteristics, including standards for a wide range of systems such as third generation cellular mobile and high definition television.

Work on the IMT-2000 standard for next-generation cellular mobile systems focused on finalizing the 1999 release of the radio interface specifications. These are expected to be formally approved at the Radiocommunication Assembly in May 2000, immediately prior to WRC-2000 whose decisions on the identification of appropriate frequency bands will have an impact on the successful deployment of IMT-2000 third generation networks and the worldwide availability of services.

In the field of high definition television (HDTV), the ITU-R oversaw the adoption of a new, global electronic production standard that provides, for the first time, a harmonized worldwide production format. The new HDTV Recommendation centres around a common image format which dispenses with today’s fragmented regional specifications, delivering a crystal-clear picture which can be screened at both cinemas and on television without the need for expensive conversions, which often degrade image quality.

Satellite Network Filings

In line with trends over the last few years, the number of requests for new or modified satellite network filings continued to grow, as did the backlog of coordination requests. At the end of 1999, the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) reported 1,352 coordination requests outstanding, compared with 1,126 at the end of 1998 and 711 at the end of 1997. While some of this growth is due to increased operational requirements, much is believed to result from the long-standing but increasing problem of over-filing by national administrations.

This situation was exacerbated by the need to conduct a review as a result of the Broadcasting Satellite Service (BSS) Plan for Regions 1 and 3, adopted by WRC-97, which effectively prevented the Bureau from processing any new BSS submissions for modification or notification. The Bureau also had to develop a detailed programme of planning exercises arising from the possibility of increasing the capacity of the 1997 BSS Plan.

While efforts during the course of the year to improve processing efficiency through new software, increased use of computing resources and reallocation of responsibilities and staff among Divisions of the Space Services Department went some way towards improving output rates, this improvement was not sufficient to keep pace with the growing backlog.

Terrestrial Systems Notifications

During 1999, the Bureau was required to examine and process notifications for frequency assignments to new or modified terrestrial systems using two different formats – the old Frequency Management System (FMS) format, phased out because of Y2K non-compliance, and the new TerRaSys system – as well as under two different sets of procedures (Article 12 of the 1994 edition of the Radio Regulations and Article S11 of the 1998 edition of the Radio Regulations). While the different procedures and formats made the processing and examination of notices complex, most notices were processed according to schedule (55,288 notices for new or modified assignments under Articles 12/S11, 4,250 notices for plan modifications under various Regional Agreements, and 17,586 notices covering other regulatory provisions). The relevant information was provided on a weekly basis, through the Weekly Circular and various Special Sections, in accordance with the time limits specified in the Radio Regulations.

At the same time, the Bureau continued to meet the increasing demand for assistance from administrations, international organizations, private companies and other entities in the application of regulatory, administrative and operational procedures, including detailed calculation results and test calculations. Reports of harmful interference were accorded the highest priority, as were reports of unauthorized emissions in frequency bands reserved for safety services.

The Bureau also continued to manage the scarce resource of the international means of identifications, including call sign series, selective call numbers and maritime identification digits.

ITU-R Information Dissemination

In order to ensure that ITU-R reports are released in a timely fashion and are readily accessible to a growing user base, the BR focused on reducing delays in the preparation of hard copy texts while at the same time cutting the average cost per page of Recommendations and increasing the amount of information available online.

The average delay between the approval of an ITU-R Recommendation and its availability in paper form has been cut by 64%, from 154 days in 1998 to just 55 days in 1999. In addition, while reducing the average price per page for radiocommunication Recommendations by 31%, from CHF0.35 to CHF0.24, the revenue from sales of ITU-R Recommendations increased by 10%.

Moreover, all ITU-R Recommendations are now available online within one month of their formal approval. Pre-published and superseded Recommendations have been bundled into the annual online subscription package.

The Bureau provided up-to-date information on recorded radio frequency assignments, issuing two editions of the International Frequency List in March and December, which also included updated findings of the recorded assignments in conformity with the new numbering scheme of the Radio Regulations. These data are now integrated into a new publication, the International Frequency Information Circular, which conveys a fully updated situation for terrestrial and space services every two weeks.

CD-ROMs containing high-frequency broadcasting schedules, the results of compatibility analyses and up-to-date software were also published every month.

In addition, the Bureau continued to provide updated information in various service documents dealing with ship stations, coast stations, radiodetermination and special service stations, and call signs. It also extended the online availability of new databases in response to favourable feedback on the online availability of the Maritime Access and Retrieval ship station database (MARS) now used by Search and Rescue operations around the world.

Finally, CD-ROMs of the Radio Regulations and the Maritime Manual with advanced search facilities were also published for the first time in 1999, providing benefits for users in terms of ease of use and navigability.