Overview
Satellite systems support a wide range of communications applications, including broadband Internet access, connectivity for remote and rural communities, and mobile services for ships and aircraft.
Satellite systems can provide extensive geographic coverage and support communications in locations where terrestrial networks are difficult, costly or impractical to deploy. They can also contribute to resilience during natural disasters and support applications including telemedicine, education, Earth observation and geospatial data collection.
Growing numbers of smaller and lower-cost satellites are used in constellations, alongside traditional geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO) systems. As satellite activity expands, demand for radio-frequency spectrum and associated orbital resources is also growing rapidly, underscoring the crucial need for international coordination and spectrum management.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) provides the international framework for the use of radio-frequency spectrum and associated satellite-orbit resources. Through the ITU Radio Regulations and related processes, the organization supports the introduction of new technologies while helping prevent harmful interference between satellite and terrestrial systems.
Opportunities
Satellite systems open substantial opportunities to expand digital communications and drive social and economic development around the globe.
For instance:
- Satellites extend broadband connectivity across large geographic areas, reaching remote and underserved communities around the globe.
- They maintain connectivity, enable emergency communications, and enhance resilience during natural disasters and other disruptions.
- They support maritime and aeronautical connectivity through Earth stations in motion (ESIM).
- They enable Earth observation, climate monitoring, weather forecasting and geospatial applications.
- They support a wide range of communications services through both traditional satellites and constellation-based systems.
Challenges
The Radio Regulations and ITU Constitution require radiocommunication systems to operate without causing harmful interference to other authorized services. As the number of satellite systems grows, maintaining this objective becomes increasingly complex.
Key challenges include:
- Increasing congestion in space, resulting in growing pressure on both geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO) resources and non-geostationary (non-GSO) networks.
- Preventing harmful interference between satellite systems and other radiocommunication services.
- Managing obsolete satellites and launch vehicles at the end of their operational lives.
- Ensuring efficient and equitable use of radio-frequency spectrum and associated orbital resources.
- Balancing regulatory certainty with the operational requirements of increasingly complex satellite systems and constellations.
Policy and regulatory considerations
Licensing of satellite systems remains the responsibility of national administrations. However, satellite systems operate within an international framework established by the Radio Regulations. Administrations are responsible for ensuring that operators under their jurisdiction comply with both international and national requirements.
The international framework seeks to prevent harmful interference, facilitate coordination among administrations, support efficient spectrum use and discourage the warehousing of spectrum and associated orbital resources.
ITU's contribution
International regulations and spectrum
ITU maintains the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and associated satellite-orbit resources.
The Regulations are updated through World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs), which review spectrum requirements and regulatory frameworks in response to technological developments.
World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) and World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) updated provisions governing satellite systems, including measures relating to Earth stations in motion, deployment milestones for specified non-geostationary satellite orbit (non-GSO) systems, orbital tolerances and interference management. These provisions now form part of the international regulatory framework.
International coordination and registration
ITU manages an international coordination and notification process designed to enable satellite systems to coexist without causing harmful interference.
Through this process, national administrations provide information on planned satellite networks, participate in coordination discussions and notify frequency assignments for recording in international databases.
Relevant frequency assignments and their regulatory status are recorded in the Master International Frequency Register (MIFR).
Regulatory measures for satellite deployment
To discourage radio-frequency spectrum warehousing, WRC-19 introduced deployment milestones for specified non-GSO systems. Under this framework, affected systems must achieve incremental deployment milestones and complete constellation deployment within defined timeframes.
ITU Member States have also adopted measures relating to orbital tolerances and transparency of actual satellite deployment, supporting greater regulatory certainty and more efficient use of spectrum and orbital resources.
Space sustainability
As space activities expand rapidly, ITU is bringing governments, space agencies, the satellite industry and other stakeholders together to support the sustainable use of spectrum and orbital resources and
keep space viable for future generations.
Cooperation and assistance
ITU supports Member States through technical studies, regulatory processes, coordination mechanisms, capacity development activities and information resources related to satellite regulation and spectrum management.
Last update: September 2026
