Introduction to International Radio Regulations Ryszard Struzak∗ Information and Communication Technologies Consultant Lectures given at the School on Radio Use for Information And Communication Technology Trieste, 2-22 February 2003 LNS0316001 ∗
[email protected] 2 R. Struzak Abstract These notes introduce the ITU Radio Regulations and related UN and WTO agreements that specify how terrestrial and satellite radio should be used in all countries over the planet. Access to the existing information infrastructure, and to that of the future Information Society, depends critically on these regulations. The paper also discusses few problems related to the use of the radio frequencies and satellite orbits. The notes are extracted from a book under preparation, in which these issues are discussed in more detail. Introduction to International Radio Regulations 3 Contents 1. Background 5 2. ITU Agreements 25 3. UN Space Agreements 34 4. WTO Trade Agreements 41 5. Topics for Discussion 42 6. Concluding Remarks 65 References 67 List of Abbreviations 70 ANNEX: Table of Frequency Allocations (RR51-RR5-126) 73 Introduction to International Radio Regulations 5 1 Background After a hundred years of extraordinary development, radio is entering a new era. The converging computer and communications technologies add “intelligence” to old applications and generate new ones. The enormous impact of radio on the society continues to increase although we still do not fully understand all consequences of that process. There are numerous areas in which the radio frequency spectrum is vital. National defence, public safety, weather forecasts, disaster warning, air-traffic control, and air navigation are a few examples only.