ITU-WRC 2019: Conference Preparatory Meetings underway

The implementation of the national frequency policy is closely linked to the international frequency designation scheme as laid down by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Frequency designation schemes and inherent allocation are submitted for review and adaptation every 2 to 3 years during periodically organized radio conferences. These designation schemes also contain the procedures that apply for the coordination of the frequency use by the member states affiliated with the ITU.

Under the auspices of ITU the World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) are held every three to four years with the purpose of re-evaluating and updating the ITU Radio Regulations, known as the global agreement on how to define, allocate and use airwaves around the globe.

WRC reviews, and, if necessary, revises the international Radio Regulations treaty governing the use of the terrestrial-, maritime- and aeronautical radio-frequency spectrum and both geostationary and non-geostationary satellite orbits. Revisions are made based on an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which takes into account recommendations made in previous WRCs.

The general scope of the WRC agenda is established four to six years in advance, with the final agenda set by ITU Council two years before each conference following general agreement with a majority of ITU member states. Download the agenda for the upcoming WRC-19.

Scope of WRC authority & purpose of preparatory sessions

Under ITU Constitution, a WRC can:

• • Revise the Radio Regulations and any associated frequency assignment and allotment plans;
  • Address any relevant global radiocommunication issues.
  • Instruct the Radio Regulations Board and the Radiocommunication Bureau, and review their activities.
  • Determine questions for study by the Radiocommunication Assembly

(usually associated with WRC meetings) and its study groups in preparation for future WRCs

The Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) will prepare a consolidated report used in support of the work of the WRC. This report is based on contributions from administrations, the Special Committee,the Radiocommunication Study Groups, and various other sources concerning the regulatory, technical, operational and procedural matters to be considered by World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences.

Every WRC is preceded by a preparatory process consisting of the following upcoming sessions:

• ​Conference Preparatory Meetings (CPM) for WRC-19.
• 1^st ITU Inter-Regional Workshops on WRC-19 Preparation​, 21 – 22 November 2017, in Geneva(2^nd and ^3rd sessions date yet to be announced).
• Regional preparation for WRC-19, PCC.II meeting 27 November – 1 December 2017, in Barranquilla Colombia.

These preparatory meetings provide member countries with the opportunity to exchange views and have a better understanding of the draft common views, positions and/or proposals of the concerned entities.

Although there is no legal obligation to do so, the results of a WRC are subsequently ratified and enacted at national level by the ITU members, to ensure that the benefits of international coordination are achieved.

The international coordinating procedures of the frequency use assign user rights to each ITU member country through a subdivision in 3 regions, each with its own frequency classification and designation. Curaçao based on its geographical location is categorized in (frequency) Region 2, which further represents the entire American continent. However, Curaçao is a member of ITU as part of the Dutch Kingdom. The Dutch Kingdom is categorized in (frequency) Region 1, for which a different frequency classification applies.

The classification into regions facilitates the process between the countries affiliated with the ITU to reach an agreement about the designation of frequency bands with a view to worldwide standardization of telecommunications systems. This means that services in various countries will work with the same frequencies, with similar equipment. For Curaçao BT&P, as the regulatory authority, adheres to the frequency allocation and designation as established by ITU for Region 2 in the revised Radio Regulations.

BT&P participation in previous WRCs: Objectives and results

BT&P last participated in the WRC-15 as well as the preceding regional WRC preparatory meetings of Citel (Inter-American Telecommunication Commission).

The Dutch regulatory authority (Agentschap Telecom) representing the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands also took part in the WRC-15 and worked together with BT&P to establish the regional spectrum priorities and the necessary points of attention for future spectrum policy development.

BT&Ps attendance was also driven on acquiring useful information on the decision-making procedures and methodology, getting familiar with the conference structure and strategies of influencing the decision-making process, and gathering valuable data on frequency allocation and related issues at hand relevant for the review of the national frequency plan.

In view of the geographical location of the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands, the review and implementation of the frequency plan for Curaçao takes place in coordination with the Dutch Regulatory authority for these islands.

Curaçao Frequency plan 2017

The WRC-15 decision-making as reflected in the Final Acts, took effect internationally per 1 January 2017, with a revision of the Radio Regulations for the various Regions with the corresponding allocated frequency band classifications.

BT&P subsequently, persuant to the Mandate regulation BT&P 2005, took the appropriate steps to incorporate the WRC decision-making in the national regulations concerned.

This has resulted in:

• A Frequency Table Curaçao 2017.
• An Annex to the Frequency Table Curaçao 2017

Both approved by Ministerial Decree of March 13th, 2017 and applied with retroactive effect as of January 23rd, 2017.

Stay informed via ITU on regional preparatory meetings, workshops and areas of focus for the WRC-19.

(Source: ITU | Citel | Rapport Nederlandse deelname WRC-15. BT&P publication period:2017)