You are here ITU > Home > ITU-R > Terrestrial Services > Terrestrial Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Browse by categories
Share
The Radio Regulations (RR) are one of the instruments of the ITU, which contains a set of international rules on the use of spectrum and orbit for radiocommunications. The RR are ratified by governments and mandatory for application by all administrations.
The Radio Regulations are the principal instrument of the international radio-regulatory arrangement, annexed to the ITU Convention. They define the rules to be applied in using the spectrum, as well as the rights and obligations resulting from this use. The international Radio Regulations are based on the use of two main concepts: • Allocations of frequency blocks to defined radio services through the Table of Frequency Allocations, as contained in Article 5 of the RR. This concept generally provides common frequency allocations to mutually compatible services operating with similar technical characteristics in specific parts of the spectrum. It also provides stable planning environment for administrations, for equipment manufacturers and for users.• The concept of voluntary or obligatory regulatory procedures (for coordination, notification and recording in the Master Register, resolving cases of harmful interference) those are adapted to the allocation structure.
Ratification of the ITU Convention by the governments of the ITU Member-States implies acceptance of the Radio Regulations.
Only a World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) can amend the Radio Regulations.
The Rules of procedure (RoPs) is a regulatory document which incorporates the results of meetings of the Radio Regulations Board (12 elected officials meeting 3 times per year). The RoPs complement the Radio Regulations providing clarification of particular provisions, which are difficult for practical application or may be interpreted differently. There are 3 main types of RoPs: rules on Radio Regulations and Regional Agreements, rules standardizing practices of the BR and rules defining RRB working methods. Draft RoPs are prepared by the BR, circulated through ITU administrations for comments and approved by the RRB. Some RoPs are transferred to the Radio Regulations at world radiocommunication conferences. RoP can be purchased or downloaded through the ITU web page (https://www.itu.int/pub/R-REG-ROP/en).
