Annex 1

RESOLUTION 80 CONSIDERATION

Although Resolution 80 does not say it 'expressis verbis', the main problem to which it refers is the use of geostationary orbit and associated radio spectrum. In the initial period of this orbit exploitation, and with the principle of first-come-first-served in force, it began to be extensively used by few developed countries having suitable technology at hand. That may be considered a natural process of development but the world evolves, situation changes, and a number of other countries now want to join the “club”. So the problem arose as to how in practice could the principle of equitable right to use and equitable access be realized. In answer to this new situation, WRC-97, under the pressure of those other countries, adopted Res. 80 (see Annex 1 in [1]) which was maintained and revised by WRC-2000 and WRC-07. These moves, however, did not mean that any real progress in resolving the problem was made. RRB was requested to propose solutions, but such a task for the RRB alone constitutes, in my view, mission impossible.

The ITU, as other international organizations, can work effectively only when good will towards cooperation exists and spirit of compromise among its members prevails. This may take place only when all of players see in this approach the only sensible way ahead. But in this case unfortunately, it looks like that up to the present time the above condition has not been fulfilled. Those occupying the geostationary orbit simply have not been responsive (one should remember that big economic and strategic interests are at stake, and people are reluctant to resign from profits and privileged position, if the situation does not force them to make concessions). So it is not a surprise that the Circular-letters CR/88 [1] and CR/101 [2] from 1998 remained without any serious responses, and no real progress was made at WRC-2000 [3], WRC-2003 [4, 5, 6] and WRC-2007 [7, point 5.7].

Only recently, when it became evident that the situation in the geo-stationary orbit is becoming critical and the pressure from “other countries” is steadily mounting [8, 9], it became possible to expect some change. In response to this, the BR, at the request of the RRB, distributed in April 2009 Circular-letter CR/300 [10] through which RRB once more asked for contributions from Administrations which would help the Board in its studies. The BR also distributed Circular-letter CR/301 [11] in which Bureau urges Administrations to remove unused assignments and networks from the MIFR.

But most important is another action which the BR started, and for which it should be appreciated very much. They initiated exchange of views and open discussion of this delicate problem which began in the session organized by them at the International Wroclaw Symposium on EMC in Poland, in June 2008 [12]. It was continued at the BR Workshop in Geneva, in May 2009 [13, 14], and which hopefully will continue in 2010. Additionally, ITU-R Study Groups began serious consideration of possible technical and regulatory solutions [15].

One may hope that having such a combined “think tank” and effort behind them, the RRB will be able to present meaningful preliminary proposals, but a workable solution would be possible only with the cooperative and responsive stance of Administrations.

The problem is very difficult and delicate, and it should be repeated: big economic and strategic interests are at stake, and people are reluctant to resign from profits and privileged position, if the situation does not force them to make concessions. Those occupying the geostationary orbit are simply not responsive yet.

REFERENCES

1. Circular Letter CR/88, 11 February 1998, Resolution 80(WRC-97)/PLEN-6(WRC-97, www.itu.int/md/R00-CR-CIR-0088/en

2. Circular Letter CR/101, 13 July 1998, Resolution 80 (WRC-97), www.itu.int/md/R00-CR-CIR-0101/en

3. WRC-2000, Doc. 29, 27 January 2000, Resolution 80 (WRC-97) – Report by the RRB, www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-r/archives/wrc/wrc-2000/docs/1-99/29.html

4. RAG-2002, Doc. 1/14, 16 January 2002, Rep. of Colombia – Proposals for the work relating to Res. 80 (Rev. WRC-2000), www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-r/archives/rag/rag2002/14.html

5. RAG-2002, Doc. 1/20, 13 February 2002, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden – Comments on doc. RAG2002-1/14 (on Res. 80 (Rev. WRC2000)), www.itu.int/itudoc/itu-r/archives/rag/rag2002/20.html

6. WRC-03, Doc. 4-Add. 5, 20 February 2003, Report of the BR Director on the activities of the Radiocommunication Sector, Part 5: Implementation of Resolution 80 (Rec.WRC-2000), www.itu.int/md/R03-WRC03-C-0004/en

7. WRC-07, Doc. 4-Add. 3, 19 June 2007, Report of the BR Director to WRC-07, Part 3: Activities of the Radio Regulations board, www.itu.int/md/meetingdoc.asp?lang=en&parent=R07-WRC-07-C&PageLB=425

8. RAG-08, Doc. 1/11, 12 February 2008, Colombia – Proposals of questions to implement Resolution 80 (Rev.WRC-07), www.itu.int/md/R08-RAG-C-0011/en

9. Radiocommunication Study Groups, Doc. 4A/110, 1 October 2008, Colombia – Implementation of the modifications on the Res. 80 (Rev.WRC-07) for WRC-11, agenda item 8.1.3, www.itu.int/md/R07-WP4A-C-0110/en

10. Circular Letter CR/300, 22 April 2009, Resolution 80 (Rev.WRC-07) www.itu.int/md/R00-CR-CIR-0300/en

11. Circular Letter CR/301, 1 May 2009, Removal of unused frequency assignments (Space Services) from the Master Register, www.itu.int/md/R00-CR-CIR-0301/en

12. Session on Efficient use of orbit/spectrum by satellite systems, organized by ITU-BR at the 19th Wroclaw Symposium and Exhibition on EMC, Wroclaw, Poland, June 2008, www.itu.int/ITU-R/space/support/symposium/index.html

13. ITU-BR Workshop on The Efficient Use of the Spectrum/Orbit Resource, 6 May 2009, Opening address by the Director of BR, www.itu.int/ITU-R/space/support/workshop-spectrum-009/doc/Opening_Speech_VT.pdf

14. Radiocommunication Study Groups, Doc. 1/56, 1B/100, 1C/54, 3 July 2009, Summary notes on the BR Workshop on the efficient use of the spectrum/orbit resource, www.itu.int/md/R07-SG01-C-0056/en

15. Radiocommunication Study Groups, Doc. 4A/278, 15 October 2009, Annex 18 to Working Party 4A Chairman’s Report, Preliminary working document towards implementation of Resolution 80 (Rev.WRC-07),
Stage 1 of the Working Party 4A work plan, www.itu.int/md/R07-WP4A-C-0278/en

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