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Executive Summary

1.1 The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations are an international treaty defining the rights and obligations for use of the radio spectrum. Changes to the Radio Regulations can only be made at World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs) which are held approximately every four years.

1.2 Ofcom leads UK preparations for WRCs and represents the UK there. In so doing, we act in accordance with a direction from the government, which formally has the final say on the positions to be adopted going into the conference. We already have a close working relationship with many stakeholders with an interest in the issues on the agenda for WRC-12. The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on our developing thinking on those issues and on the process for conducting this work. WRC outcomes can have a significant impact on how spectrum is used and on the development of wireless services and we are particularly interested in engaging with those not already involved in the WRC preparatory process.

1.3 The next WRC will be held early 2012 and the agenda for the conference contains a diverse range of topics falling under more than 25 agenda items. For the purpose of this consultation the issues have been grouped as follows:

• Electronic communications services;
• Transport, including radiodetermination;
• Scientific and amateur use of spectrum;
• International regulatory framework;
• Standing agenda items.

1.4 The Radio Regulations contain a table of frequency allocations in which frequency bands are allocated to one or more radiocommunication services such as fixed, mobile, broadcasting and various space services. Several of the agenda items are seeking new allocations to allow the introduction of new, or the development of existing services. In many cases, it is necessary to do this at international level to achieve the necessary degree of harmonisation for economies of scale or because of the international nature of the service. Aeronautical, maritime and satellite are examples of services where the nature of some applications requires spectrum to be available seamlessly across national boundaries.

1.5 The Radio Regulations also contain procedures for a range of international spectrum management functions. An example of the need for such procedures to be defined by international treaty is in the field of satellite communications. The rights to operate frequencies on a satellite cannot be defined simply on a basis of operation from the territory of one country and a complex set of procedures is in place for notification and co-ordination of frequency assignments to ensure equitable access to this valuable spectrum/orbital resource.

1.6 Ofcom supports introducing greater flexibility in the Radio Regulations. This is in line with our policies to facilitate a more liberal and market based approach to spectrum management. The need for evolution of the Radio Regulations to ensure they remain fit for purpose in the future has been included in the agenda of the next WRC and Ofcom is treating this as one of the high priority issues.

1.7 Other high priority topics include technical arrangements for the exploitation of the digital dividend, specifically mobile services in the band 790- 862 MHz, and spectrum for the operation of unmanned aircraft.

1.8 The closing date for responses is 5 February 2010, see Annex 1 for details of how to respond to this consultation.

• World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12) [pdf]
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