An Introduction to the ITU
Kevin A. Hughes
Radiocommunication Bureau
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The ITU
(International Telecommunication Union)
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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:
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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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ITU
MEMBERSHIP
• Member States (governments): 189
• Sector Members: 660
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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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ITU
Governing 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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ITU
ORGANISATION
• 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):
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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
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SG 1:
SG 3:
SG 4:
SG 6:
SG 7:
SG 8:
SG 9:
Spectrum management
Radiowave propagation
Fixed-satellite service
Broadcasting service
Science services
Mobile services
Fixed service
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ITU-R Study Groups
• Currently 7 Study Groups
• Subordinate groups
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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
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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) 4-7-8-9
5 GHz band allocations
– WRC-03 AI 1.5
– Resolution 736 (WRC-2000)
• JTG 4-7-8
Sharing 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 services
3. Fixed-satellite and broadcast-sat services
4. Fixed and fixed-sat services and HAPS
5. Maritime-mobile, amateur and am-sat, and
b’cast services at MF and HF
6. Other matters
7. 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
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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
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