UK SPF Insight: WRC Update from the UK SPF Chair
We are in the final week of the World Radio Conference (WRC-23). Some Agenda Items are completed, but there is still some way to go for some, which is not uncommon compared to the past conferences.
Among them are AI10 Future Agenda items, which is a conference on its own; as of today, just under a dozen out of 18 submitted have been agreed on for WRC27, and just under 10 out of 15 submitted for WRC31 have been agreed on. But the numbers are continuously changing as delegates work till early hours in the morning to get these moving. In addition, the discussions related to AI1.2 to consider a number of bands for the Identification of IMT and AI1.5 review of the frequency band 470-960 MHz in Region 1 are still ongoing.
One of the interesting items was the consideration of a few bands for low data rate applications. There was also a discussion about the definition of low data rate applications. MSS direct connectivity between the space station and IMT UE to complement terrestrial IMT network coverage is another exciting item, and the debate is still ongoing. But these are only a few topics as the discussions are across many spectrum bands and services.
While discussions are ongoing, delegates continue with the debates and try to get a consensus for the remaining items. At this stage, the only certainty I have is that no one can predict how it will end because there are three more exciting days ahead. Watch this space!
Join us for a the last event of the UK SPF in 2023. In this workshop, Cluster 4 will host a discussion on the latest updates from the WRC-23 and set the future topics for the workshops in 2024.
The open-to-all event will gather key UK and international policy and industry decision-makers, to discuss some of the most pressing future spectrum policy questions, such as WRC-23 hot topics, spectrum sharing and spectrum considerations for 6G.
If you have questions or comments, please contact the team below.
Sophie Greaves
Sophie Greaves is Head of Programme for Communications Infrastructure and Services at techUK, and oversees the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
Matthew Wild
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant, supporting the Communications Infrastructure programme, as well as the Digital Connectivity and Spectrum Policy Fora.