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An Introduction to the ITU

Kevin A. Hughes

Radiocommunication Bureau

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The ITU(International Telecommunication Union)

• Founded in 1865

• “… is an international organisation within which governments and the private sector coordinate global telecommunication networks and services”

• Foundation for today’s radiocommunications services

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Roles of ITU• Regulation

– spectrum management and coordination» Radio Regulations

• Standardisation– ITU Recommendations

» seamless interworking of systems on a global basis» technical characteristics/specifications, operational procedures, “best”

practices

• Development– assistance to developing countries

» improving telecoms infrastructure in the developing world» catalyst for forging development partnerships» increasing awareness of today’s technologies

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ITU Membership

• ITU founded on principle of cooperation between governments and the private sector

• Membership encompasses:– telecoms policy makers– regulators– network operators– equipment manufacturers– hardware and software developers– regional standards-making organizations– financial institutions

• ITU shaped by the industry it serves

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ITUMEMBERSHIP

• Member States (governments): 189• Sector Members: 660

– Recognised Operating Agencies– Scientific or Industrial Organisations– Other entities dealing with telecom matters– Regional or other International Organisations– Region Telecommunication Organisations– Intergovernmental Orgs. operating sat. systems

• Associates

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ITUGoverning Bodies

• Plenipotentiary Conference– Constitution and Convention of ITU

• Council– policies and strategy

– coordination role

• World Conferences– to negotiate agreements serving as basis for operation

of global telecoms services

– Radiocommunication Conferences, e.g. WRC-2000

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World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC)

• Changes to the Radio Regulations– accommodate new systems and services– increased demands for spectrum

• Table of frequency allocations (Article 5)– 9 kHz – 275 GHz– footnotes

• Frequency plans– e.g. broadcasting satellite plan at ~ 12 GHz– assignment plans– allotment plans

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ITUORGANISATION

• Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)(secretariat BR)

• Telecommunication Standardisation Sector (ITU-T)(secretariat TSB)

• Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)(secretariat BDT)

• General Secretariat

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RADIOCOMMUNICATION SECTOR (ITU-R)

Aim:

“.. to ensure rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits”

“.. to carry out studies and adopt Recommendations on radiocommunication matters”

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ITU-R objective

Objective achieved through (inter alia):

• World (and Regional) Radiocommunication Conferences

• Approval of Recommendations

Technical studies are required

which are conducted in Study Groups

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ITU-R Study Groups

• Groups of experts from ITU membership• Draft technical bases for WRCs (and

RRCs)• Draft Recommendations

– technical characteristics– operational procedures

• Compile Handbooks• Radiocommunication Assembly

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Study Groups

• SG 1: Spectrum management

• SG 3: Radiowave propagation

• SG 4: Fixed-satellite service

• SG 6: Broadcasting service

• SG 7: Science services

• SG 8: Mobile services

• SG 9: Fixed service

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ITU-R Study Groups

• Currently 7 Study Groups• Subordinate groups

– Working Party– Task Group– Rapporteur Group– Joint …….

• Coordination Committee for Vocabulary• Special Committee (regulatory/procedural)• CPM - Conference Preparatory Meeting

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Scope of Study Group 1(Spectrum management)

• Principles and techniques for– spectrum management– sharing criteria and methods– spectrum monitoring– long-term strategies for spectrum utilization

• Inter-service sharing and compatibility

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Scope of Study Group 3(Radiowave propagation)

Propagation of radiowaves in ionized and non-ionized media and the characteristics of radio noise, for the purpose of improving radiocommunication systems

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Scope of Study Group 4(Fixed-satellite service)

Systems and networks for the FSS and inter-satellite links (in the FSS), including associated tracking, telemetry and telecommand functions

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Scope of Study Group 6(Broadcasting service)

Radiocommunication broadcasting (terrestrial and satellite) of vision, sound, multimedia and data services primarily intended for delivery to the general public

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Scope of Study Group 7(Science services)

• Systems for space operation, space research, Earth exploration and meteorology

• Radio astronomy

• Standard frequency and time signals

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SG 7- some key areas of study -

• Allocations for space science services– space operations and space research services– precipitation radars (~ 35 GHz)– Earth exploration satellite service

(420-470 MHz)

• Radio astronomy– protection criteria

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Scope of Study Group 8(Mobile services)

Systems and networks for the mobile, radiodetermination and amateur services, including related satellite services

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Scope of Study Group 9(Fixed service)

Systems and networks of the fixed service operating via terrestrial stations

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Joint Studies

• Joint Task Group (JTG) 4-7-8-95 GHz band allocations– WRC-03 AI 1.5– Resolution 736 (WRC-2000)

• JTG 4-7-8Sharing in band 13.75-14 GHz– WRC-03 AI 1.24– Resolution 733 (WRC-2000)

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Study Group Products

• Technical bases for WRC– Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM)– CPM report to WRC

• Draft ITU-R Recommendations

• Handbooks

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CPM Report to WRC-03

1. Radionavigation, radnav-sat and radiolocation services

2. Mobile, mob-satellite and space science services3. Fixed-satellite and broadcast-sat services4. Fixed and fixed-sat services and HAPS5. Maritime-mobile, amateur and am-sat, and

b’cast services at MF and HF6. Other matters7. Future work programme

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ITU-R Recommendations

• > 900 Recommendations in 16 series• “Standards” in areas of spectrum

management and radio technology• Result of consensus from meetings of

world-wide experts• Some referred to in RR• Used by spectrum planners and system

designers

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ITU-R Handbooks

• Over 30 published

• Tutorial in nature

• Emphasis on use by developing countries

• Liaison with ITU-D (and ITU-T)

• Continuing Handbook programme in ITU-R

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Concluding remarks

• The Study Groups represent a major aspect of ITU-R activities

• Technical forum for discussion amongst experts

• Technical bases for Radio Conferences

• Recommendations and Handbooks