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​The ITU Regional Radiocommunication Seminar 2019 for CIS and neighbouring countries (RRS-19-CIS) met in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 10-14 June 2019 at the kind invitation of the Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications (MITC) of Republic of Uzbekistan in collaboration with the Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC).

Participants discussed key issues for radio-frequency spectrum management for the region and considered future radio-frequency spectrum requirements for radiocommunication systems in the context of preparations for the upcoming ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) to be held later this year in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt from 28 October to 22 November 2019.

"ITU regional radiocommunication seminars, like this one organized in Tashkent, Uzbekistan are an important step in preparing national and international spectrum management decisions of the region for the efficient use of spectrum/orbit resources, which is a key enabler of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.

Training and capacity-building

The seminar covered the current regulatory framework for international frequency management and ITU Recommendations, as well as best practices regarding the use of spectrum for both terrestrial and space services. It also included basic training on tools developed by ITU for frequency notifications for those services and for the technical examinations. Various workshops also enabled participants to get hands-on experience with ITU notification procedures, as well as with the software and electronic publications made available by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau to the Administrations of Member States and to the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) Members.

“Regional Radiocommunication Seminars (RRS) like this one are organized by ITU to complement the larger, biennial World Radiocommunication Seminars (WRS) so that all ITU countries and regions have ample opportunity to prepare for WRC-19, which will update the Radio Regulations (RR), the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbital resources," said Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau.

The seminar covered concepts related to spectrum management procedures associated to the recording of frequency assignments in the Master International Frequency Register (MIFR) and concluded with a one day Forum on: “Trends in Spectrum Management and Emerging Radiocommunication Technologies," which contributed to the dialog of the stakeholders in the region.

An opportunity for delegates to engage

Seminar participants were welcomed by the Deputy Minister for the Development of Information Technologies and Communications of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Bakhromjon Adkhamovich Olmatov, who highlighted the increasing importance of radiocommunications for all the vital activities of society and the State. He said that the ITU Regional Radiocommunication Seminar and the Forum constituted a relevant and much-needed event that provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views on a wide range of issues regarding the use and regulation of the radio-frequency spectrum at national, regional and international levels. It also allowed participants to gain in-depth knowledge of the practical application of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector's software for notifying ITU of national frequency assignments and to discuss future trends in the development of radiocommunication technologies.

The seminar drew over 50 participants, including industry experts and stakeholders, ITU Member States and Sector Members, regulators, and representatives of the telecommunication industry, operators, international organizations, associations and academia from 7 countries from the CIS region and neighboring countries.