WRC-23: Representing Asia and the Pacific
By Kyu-Jin Wee, Chairman of APG-23, Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
The Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1979 with the aim of promoting information and communication technology (ICT) development in the Asia‑Pacific region. It has 38 member administrations, four categorized as associate members, and 135 private companies and academic entities as affiliate members.
The Asia-Pacific Conference Preparatory Group, or “APG‑23”, was formed to prepare regional positions and to collaborate with other regional groups ahead of each World Radiocommunication Conference.
The region’s diversity
The preparatory group, like the Asia‑Pacific region, is highly diverse, reflecting the wide range of geographical circumstances and population sizes among its members.
When combined with different economic and industrial drivers, this means the international spectrum management interests of APT members are often widely varied. Nonetheless, APT members always show their utmost goodwill to cooperate and recognize the needs of other members, with the goal of strengthening the region’s collective voice at the forthcoming WRC‑23.
Mobile telecommunications
While the WRC-23 agenda is as extensive as ever, considerations about possible International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) identifications have been of great interest within the regional preparatory group. Even though most bands under consideration for IMT services would be for other regions of the world, APT members are looking to the outcomes of WRC‑23 as an indication of how to utilize those bands in some Asia-Pacific countries.
High-altitude platform stations
Given the region’s long interest in high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), members of the preparatory group have taken the view that a decision is needed at WRC‑23 on the proper technical and regulatory conditions for HAPS roll out and expansion. This would include modifying the definition in the Radio Regulations of “HIBS”, or “high‑altitude platform stations as IMT base stations”
Satellite agenda
WRC‑23’s extensive satellite agenda is another priority − particularly given the comparatively remote geographic positions of many countries and communities across the region.
APT members favour supporting new kinds of satellite services, such as earth stations in motion (ESIM), subject to protection of existing services.
One APT preliminary view specifies that the notification of any frequency assignment for ESIM be made by a single administration.
The importance of well-drafted agenda items
Studies on some WRC-23 agenda items have faced difficulties due to different understandings about the intended scope of certain agenda items. Recognizing the crucial need for well drafted texts, both for conference discussion and for subsequent resolutions, APT will likely propose a way forward through the modification of WRC Resolution 804: Principles for establishing agendas for world radiocommunication conferences.
Enhanced collaboration with other regional groups
The preparatory group recognizes the importance of collaboration with other regional groups for a successful WRC decision-making process. Accordingly, it has modified its working methods to enhance this collaboration.
I wish all regional groups and other WRC‑23 participants the best of luck in their preparations. On behalf of the Asia‑Pacific group, I look forward to working with everyone over the remainder of the current conference cycle.
This article first appeared in the ITU News Magazine, which outlines key technical and regional perspectives on topics to be discussed at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) taking place in Dubai, UAE, between 20 November and 15 December 2023.
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