Page 94 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ITU Updates Global Treaty Which Enables Better Access to Affordable

Broadband Technologies

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) published the research and Earth exploration, as well as amateur radio services.
2020 ITU Radio Regulations — the international treaty governing It also prescribes how radio equipment and systems must operate
the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite to ensure efficient and effective coexistence and utilization of
orbits — which enables innovative ways to promote access to today's increasingly crowded airwaves. The first International
affordable broadband technologies. The publication contains Radio Telegraph Convention was signed in Berlin on 3 November
the complete texts of the Radio Regulations adopted during the 1906, bringing together 30 maritime states. Since then, the
World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19), held last Radio Regulations have evolved with 114 years of revisions and
year in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The 2020 ITU Radio Regulations innovations into the 4-volume treaty of more than 2000 pages.
will come into force for all signatory parties on 1 January 2021. They now cover more than 40 different radiocommunication
“The publication of the Radio Regulations is the culmination of services and frequencies ranging from 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz,
the hard work and intense deliberations that took place during with internationally agreed governing principles and regulations
WRC-19," said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “Efficient and on which the rights and obligations of ITU's 193 Member States
economical use of the naturally limited radio-frequency spectrum to use the spectrum and satellite orbit resources are based.
is key to ensuring we bring the benefits of connectivity and digital The 2020 Radio Regulations are available in all six of ITU's
transformation to people everywhere. The ITU Radio Regulations official languages. Electronic versions of the Regulations can be
are a vital vehicle for this endeavor." The ITU Radio Regulations downloaded free of charge. The traditional four-volume boxed set,
facilitate equitable access to and rational use of the natural as well as a multi-lingual DVD will be available for purchase in the
resources of the radio-frequency spectrum and geostationary coming weeks.
satellite orbits. They also ensure the availability of the
frequencies provided for distress and safety purposes and assist
in the prevention and resolution of cases of harmful interference
between the radio services of different administrations. Further,
the regulations facilitate the efficient and effective operation of
all radiocommunication services and, where necessary, regulate
new applications of radiocommunication technology. Mario
Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau,
said: “In a rapidly evolving digital wireless world, the Radio
Regulations provide an opportunity for all countries to develop
innovative ways to promote access to affordable universal
next -generation broadband technologies." He added, “we have
published the 2020 ITU Radio Regulations within the agreed
timeframe, despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19
pandemic. My heartfelt congratulations to all those that have
contributed to this great success." The Radio Regulations cover
fixed and mobile radio services, satellite systems, radio and TV
broadcasting, radionavigation, meteorological monitoring, space

ITU Virtual Digital World 2020 Focuses on “Building the Digital World.

Together.”

ITU Digital World 2020 is going online public-private sector collaboration in the and explore the importance of digital
with a three-day programme of virtual COVID-19 era. Highlights will include: connectivity in national strategies for
exhibitions and debates at the very highest • Ministerial Roundtables: Join the economic recovery. Key discussion
level, taking place from 20 to 22 October Prime Minister of Viet Nam along areas include the policy changes that
2020. This influential global event will bring with ministers from around the world, have or are being pursued as a result
together government and industry leaders, regulators and top-level representatives of the COVID-19 pandemic; if and how
including the Prime Minister of Viet Nam, from key industry players as they debate national digital strategies need to be
H.E Nguyen Xuan Phuc, to explore the "The role of digital technologies during adapted going forward as a result of
critical role of digital technologies and and after the COVID-19 pandemic" – the pandemic; how the pandemic has

94 SEP-OCT 2020