Extract:

4       Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)

4.1    Situational analysis

4.1.1  In order to establish a sound foundation upon which to base ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) strategies for the forthcoming years, an analysis of ITU-R and its environment, both now and in the future, is of primary importance. Such an analysis requires a clear vision of those influential factors, both internal and external to ITU, that will allow ITU-R to take advantage of opportunities that arise to meet its objectives.

4.1.2  The biggest challenge for ITU-R is to remain abreast of the rapid and complex changes occurring in the world of international radiocommunications, coupled with a timely response to the needs of the radiocommunication and broadcasting industry in particular and to the membership as a whole. In an environment undergoing constant change and with ever greater demands from its members for products and services, the Sector should ensure that it remains as adaptable and responsive as possible to meet these challenges.

4.1.3  Pursuant to Article 1 of the ITU Constitution, ITU-R is committed to building an enabling environment through management of the international radio-frequency spectrum and satellite-orbit resources. Since the global management of frequencies and orbit resources requires a high level of international cooperation, one of our principal tasks in ITU-R is to facilitate the complex intergovernmental negotiations needed to develop legally binding agreements between sovereign states. These agreements are embodied in the Radio Regulations and in world and regional plans adopted for different space and terrestrial services.

4.1.4  The field of radiocommunications addresses terrestrial and space services that are critical and increasingly important for the development of the global economy in the twenty-first century. The world is witnessing a phenomenal increase in the use of wireless systems in a myriad of applications. International radiocommunication standards (such as those contained in ITU-R Recommendations) underpin the entire global communications framework – and will continue to serve as the platform for a whole range of new wireless applications.

4.1.5  The domain of radiocommunications also includes aeronautical telemetry and telecommand systems, satellite services, mobile communications, maritime distress and safety signals, digital broadcasting, satellites for meteorology, and the prediction and detection of natural disasters.

4.1.6  In line with Radio Regulations, the recording of space and terrestrial notices and their associated publications are central to ITU-R's mission.

4.1.7  The need for continuing development of radiocommunication systems used in disaster mitigation and relief operations has increased and will be a key challenge for the future. Telecommunications are critical at all phases of disaster management. Aspects of emergency radiocommunication services associated with disasters include, inter alia, disaster prediction, detection, alerting and relief.

4.1.8  In the area of climate change, the work of ITU-R focuses on the use of ICT (different radio and telecommunication technologies and equipment) for weather and climate-change monitoring and for prediction, detection and mitigation of hurricanes, typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes, tsunamis, man-made disasters, etc.

4.1.9  Our stakeholders, such as government agencies, public and private telecommunication operators, manufacturers, scientific or industrial bodies, international organizations, consultancies, universities, technical institutions, etc., through the processes linked with world radiocommunication conferences and study groups, will need to continue to make decisions on the most profitable and efficient ways to exploit the limited resource of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, which will be critical and of increasing economic value for the development of the global economy in the twenty-first century.

4.2    Vision

The ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) will remain the unique and universal convergence and regulatory centre for worldwide radiocommunication matters.

4.3    Mission

The mission of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is, inter alia, to ensure rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including those using satellite orbits, and to carry out studies and adopt Recommendations on radiocommunication matters.

4.4    Strategic goal

The strategic goal of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is threefold, and includes:

•        To ensure interference-free operations of radiocommunication systems by implementing the Radio Regulations and regional agreements, as well as updating these instruments in an efficient and timely manner through the processes of world and regional radiocommunication conferences

•        To establish Recommendations intended to assure the necessary performance and quality in operating radiocommunication systems

•        To seek ways and means to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite-orbit resources and to promote flexibility for future expansion and new technological developments.

4.5    Objectives

The objectives of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) are:

4.5.1    Objective 1 - Coordinating:

          To promote, foster and ensure cooperation and coordination among all Member States in decision-making on radiocommunication issues, with the participation of Sector Members and Associates, as appropriate.

4.5.2    Objective 2 - Processing:

          To meet the requirements of the membership for spectrum, orbit access and operations in application of the Constitution, Convention and Radio Regulations, in the light, inter alia, of the accelerating convergence of radiocommunication services.

4.5.3    Objective 3 - Producing:

          To produce Recommendations on radiocommunication services in order to achieve connectivity and interoperability in applying modern telecommunications/ICTs, as well as to provide for the most efficient use of spectrum and orbit resources.

4.5.4    Objective 4 - Informing:

          To respond to the needs of the membership by disseminating information and know-how on radiocommunication issues, by publishing and distributing relevant materials (e.g. service publications, reports and handbooks), in coordination and collaboration, as appropriate, with the other Bureaux and the General Secretariat.

4.5.5    Objective 5 - Assisting:

          To provide support and assistance to the membership, mainly to developing countries, in relation to radiocommunication matters, information and communication network infrastructure and applications, and in particular with respect to a) bridging the digital divide; b) gaining equitable access to the radio-frequency spectrum and to satellite orbits; and c) providing training and producing relevant training materials for capacity building.