Terrestrial services keep us connected and help sustain our lives

Mario Maniewicz, Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a framework for each one of us to find and implement practical solutions to attain a viable future for all. It addresses challenges on a global scale, such as how to tackle climate change, how to ensure access to quality education and health for all, and how to address societal challenges such as attaining gender equality.

At the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), our principal focus in today’s world is on how to address the digital challenge. How do we ensure the digital economy will benefit people everywhere regardless of their socio-economic status? How do we bridge the digital divides that exist between women and men, among countries, and within countries?

Terrestrial radiocommunication services encompass many of the world’s most vital communication systems.

They keep us connected and ensure the safety of life-sustaining global transport systems.

Wireless communication

Today, terrestrial radio technologies support a myriad of wireless communication services and devices. Every time you make a call, catch a flight, browse the Internet on your smartphone, listen to the radio in your car, or check the weather forecast, you benefit from advances in the corresponding terrestrial services.

But those services are not yet available to everyone. Expanding the reach and the affordability of broadband mobile systems is crucial to overcome the global digital challenge, establish connectivity for all, and ultimately achieve sustainable development.

Terrestrial radio technologies have evolved considerably to meet consumer demand, with new applications emerging continually over the past few decades.

Examples include advanced mobile broadband, intelligent transport systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Radio frequencies and regulations for these technologies are on the agenda of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC‑23) to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between 20 November and 15 December.

Building on the vision of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems, industry and government stakeholders have worked to build successive generations of mobile broadband connectivity. To date, three IMT generations — IMT‑2000, IMT‑Advanced, and IMT‑2020, more commonly referred to as 3G, 4G and 5G — were standardized through ITU.

Mobile Internet has provided the basis for many app-based businesses supporting mobile learning, health, and money services. They have become a powerful and reliable platform for broadband connectivity — especially in developing countries — to bridge the digital divide.

We are now focusing on “IMT‑2030 and Beyond”. This next iteration is expected to give technology users immersive communication, including near-real-life interactions with machine-driven interfaces. Data and algorithms enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to become increasingly abundant.

Maritime and aviation services

ITU’s maritime and aviation experts continue leveraging their regulatory and scientific expertise to lay the foundation for greater maritime and aviation connectivity, improve the safety of transport by sea and air, and ensure a sustainable future for the entire maritime and aeronautical industries.

ITU works to support and improve the services provided by these industries through the allocation and protection of frequency spectrum for maritime and aviation communications, as well as by developing standards for maritime and aeronautical radio systems. In addition, ITU publishes and regularly updates maritime service publications containing information on coast and ship stations worldwide and on the rules for establishing communications at sea.

When ITU Member States update the Radio Regulations treaty at WRC‑23, they are expected to consider the modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the introduction of e-navigation systems, and other maritime communication issues. These changes should enable the industry to respond to emerging trends in maritime communications, including the transition to digital technologies and wireless applications.

WRC‑23 will also consider new spectrum to enhance aeronautical mobile radiocommunications, including command-and-control links for non-safety communications with unmanned aircraft, relaying very-high-frequency (VHF) terrestrial communications with pilots via satellites, and a regulatory framework for introducing new digital technologies in high-frequency (HF) aeronautical bands.

Along with improved safety and efficiency at sea and in the air, decisions to be taken at the conference will shape future digital infrastructure to ensure better environmental protection.

Broadcasting

Ensuring the smooth operation of broadcasting systems across a growing array of platforms relies on consensus-based technical standardization, and the resulting standards must be continually updated with input from industry and policymakers worldwide.

Frequency bands — ranging from low-frequency (LF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) — are assigned and used worldwide for radio, television, and multimedia terrestrial broadcasting. Although broadcasting has received no new spectrum allocation for years, the demand for more and better services continues to grow.

Yet for parts of the bands currently allocated, future access for broadcasting has come under threat from competing uses. Several agenda items for the upcoming WRC‑23 are highly relevant to future terrestrial broadcasting services in the UHF and HF bands.

The conference will also consider the future of the UHF broadcasting band, with implications for television broadcasts and programming, and also for public protection and disaster relief.

Countdown to WRC‑23

ITU’s Member States in April approved the Report of the Conference Preparatory Meeting to WRC‑23, which summarizes and analyses the results of extensive technical studies conducted by the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU–R) and possible solutions to satisfy WRC‑23 agenda items. The report is now available in all six ITU official languages.

The third and final Inter-regional Workshop on WRC‑23 Preparations, taking place 27–29 September, will give participants another opportunity to consider proposed solutions to the issues identified.

The latest ITU News Magazine captures industry perspectives, as well as the views of specialized international and regional organizations, on key issues related to terrestrial radiocommunication services ahead of WRC‑23.

These include:

• The continued development of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems (agenda items 1.2 and 1.5). The article focuses on reaching digital equality, harmonization, and expansion of mobile broadband services via potential new spectrum allocations and identifications for IMT in the UHF and mid-bands from 3.3 gigahertz (GHz) to 10.5 GHz.
• Unlicensed usage of mid-bands (linked to agenda item 1.2), which considers the 6 GHz Wi-Fi applications, their importance for worldwide connectivity, spectrum needs and co-existence with other services.
• Balancing UHF broadcasting and mobile spectrum needs (agenda item 1.5). The article explores the frequency requirements of different radiocommunication services in the lower part of the UHF band and possible solutions to satisfy those requirements.
• Future sub-orbital flights (agenda item 1.6). The article explains the concept of sub-orbital vehicles and highlights the regulatory challenges these future flying vehicles are facing.
• Satellite links to support communications with pilots (agenda item 1.7). The article speaks about the expansion of voice and data communications with aircraft to oceanic and remote areas by relaying these terrestrial communications via satellites.
• Modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (agenda item 1.11). The article explains how the maritime communication and navigation applications are governed by ITU documents and how the latest GMDSS improvements could be introduced in the Radio Regulations at WRC‑23.
• The amateur use of the 1.2 GHz spectrum (agenda item 9.1 (b)) explores potential ways of preserving the 1.2 GHz band for amateur usage while ensuring additional protection for the radionavigation-satellite service.

The outcomes of WRC‑23 will be pivotal in shaping the future framework for radiocommunication services in all countries. I thank all experts who contributed to this edition for bringing their perspectives to the table.

I am confident that these articles offer a well-informed overview and look forward to welcoming our delegates from around the world to WRC‑23.

Download your copy of the ITU News Magazine: Land, sea and airwaves.

Header image credit: Adobe Stock
Photo: ITU/D. Woldu