Conferences International Telecommunication Union

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency specializing in information and communication technologies (ICT). ITU attributes radio spectrum to different satellite orbits and services globally, develops technical standards to ensure network interconnection and harmonized use of technologies, and joins efforts to improve access to ICT for underserved communities anywhere in the world.

In the field of radio communications, the most important event of the ITU is the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), which is held approximately every four years for a duration of about four weeks. The last CRM was held in October 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) and the next one is scheduled to be held in 2023.

The World Radiocommunication Conference is the body in which decisions are made on the uses to which the different frequency bands are destined, as well as criteria and conditions of use of the same. Decisions that will be embodied in the Radio Regulations, which in turn is incorporated into the national legislations of the different countries and administrations, in the Spanish case with the rank of international treaty.

In each of the WRCs, the different options are analysed and discussed and the relevant decisions are taken, on the different items on the agenda that was approved at the previous Conference.

At the national level there is a Preparatory Group of Conferences, coordinated by the Secretary of State, which defines the national positions regarding the different items on the agenda of the Conference. Representatives of the Spanish Administration and public bodies, organizations, companies and operators with interests related to the use of the radio spectrum and relevant activity in Spanish territory can participate. The national positions are, in turn, subject to discussion and analysis at European level in meetings organized by the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations), trying to reach agreements for the joint defense of European interests (Common European Proposals) during the development of the Conferences.