These are the commitments of WRC-2023

The Member States of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreed during the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (CMR-23), held in recent weeks in Dubai (UAE) to allocate the upper 6 GHz band and harmonize the 3.5 GHz band for international mobile telecommunications (IMT) services and allocate the UHF band (470 to 694 MHz) to mobile services while approving new studies on other possible bands.

Overall, WRC-23 approved 43 new resolutions, reviewed 56 existing y suppressed 33 resolutions. The agreement on updates to the Radio Regulations identifies new spectrum resources to support technological innovation, deepen global connectivity, increase access and equitable use of space-based radio resources and improve security at sea, in the air and on land.

Doreen Bogdan-MartinITU Secretary-General, stated that "WRC-23 puts the world on a solid path towards a more connected, sustainable, equitable and inclusive digital future for all. Key regulatory achievements on spectrum for space, science and terrestrial radiocommunication services build on the momentum of ITU's ongoing work to achieve universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation."

A total of 151 Member States signed the Final Acts of WRC-23 which constitute a record of the decisions taken at the conference, including new and revised provisions of the Radio Regulations, all Appendices and new and revised ITU-R Resolutions and Recommendations incorporated by reference into the treaty by the conference.

“The agreements reached at WRC-23 are testament to the unbreakable spirit of cooperation and commitment among all our members,” he said. Mario Maniewicz, director of the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau. “Navigating the complexities of spectrum sharing to update the Radio Regulations has helped us forge a path that provides a stable and predictable regulatory environment, essential for the development of innovative radiocommunications services for all.”

Revisions to the ITU Regulations

Among the decisions, WRC-23 identified spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), which will be crucial to expanding broadband connectivity and developing IMT mobile services, also known as 4G, 5G and, in the future, 6G. This new spectrum includes the frequency bands of 3,300-3,400 megahertz (MHz), 3,600-3,800 MHz, 4,800-4,990 MHz and 6,425-7,125 MHz in several countries and regions.

WRC-23 also identified the 2 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands for use high altitude platform stations as IMT base stations (HIBS) and established standards for their operation. This technology offers a new platform to provide mobile broadband with minimal infrastructure using the same frequencies and devices as mobile IMT networks. HIBS can help bridge the digital divide in remote and rural areas and maintain connectivity during disasters.

Regarding the non-geostationary fixed satellite service Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM), the conference identified new frequencies to deliver high-speed broadband on board planes, ships, trains and vehicles. These satellite services are also essential in the event of a disaster, when local communication infrastructures are damaged or destroyed.

Provisions were included to protect ship and aircraft mobile service stations located in international airspace and waters from other stations located in national territories.

To support the modernization of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), WRC-23 adopted regulatory measures that include the implementation of electronic navigation systems to improve distress and safety communications at sea.

The conference provisionally recognized the BeiDou Satellite Messaging Service System for use in the GMDSS, provided coordination with existing networks is successfully completed and interference is eliminated. The allocation of additional frequencies for passive Earth exploration satellite services that allow advanced measurements of ice clouds to improve weather forecasting and climate monitoring was also approved, as well as new frequencies to the aeronautical industry for aeronautical mobile satellite services (117.975-137 MHz).

Another aspect worth highlighting is the approval of a recommendation from the Radio Regulations Board to allow 41 countries to acquire new orbital resources usable for satellite broadcasting. These countries have not been able to use the orbital slots assigned to them in recent years due to factors such as lack of coordination and interference from other satellite networks. The decision aims to allow countries to implement subregional satellite systems.

EBU response

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has highlighted that the final agreement of WRC-23 maintains the primary allocation to broadcasting services in the 470-694 MHz band in Region 1 (CIS, Africa and the Middle East west of Iran) and offers an opportunity for nationwide mobile services.

On the other hand, he also stressed that the regulatory situation for PMSE (program creation and special events) applications, such as wireless microphones, remains unchanged.

In Regions 2 and 3 (respectively the Americas and East Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, Iran, the Indian subcontinent and Oceania), broadcasting will share this UHF spectrum with other applications. In Region 2 (Americas), broadcasting will be the only primary service in the 512-609 MHz band, while no spectrum in the 608-614 MHz band will be used for broadcasting. In Region 3, broadcasting will share spectrum with mobile and fixed wireless applications.

Antonio Arcidiacono, Director of Technology and Innovation at the EBU, acknowledges that "this is a positive outcome for EBU members as it takes into account key elements of the EBU's position. Most EBU members use DTT (digital terrestrial television) and all of them use PMSE, and the UHF band is the only spectrum available globally for these services. The WRC-23 decision ensures continued spectrum access and stable regulatory conditions, which are essential for “investments and the evolution of DTT and PMSE, including the introduction of new technologies such as UHDTV, 5G Broadcast and WMAS (wireless multichannel audio systems).”