The ITU Regional Radiocommunication Seminar 2019 for the African region (RRS-19-Africa) was held in Johannesburg where participants discussed future radio-frequency spectrum requirements for radiocommunication systems in the context of preparations for the upcoming ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 that will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
“ITU regional radiocommunication seminars, like this one organised in Johannesburg, South Africa, are an important step in preparing national and international spectrum management decisions of the region for the efficient use of spectrum or orbit resources, which is a key enabler of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.
Training and capacity-building
The seminar covered the current regulatory framework for international frequency management and ITU Recommendations, as well as best practices regarding the use of spectrum for both terrestrial and space services. It also included basic training on tools developed by ITU for frequency notifications for those services and for the technical examinations. Various workshops also enabled participants to get hands-on experience with ITU notification procedures, as well as with the software and electronic publications made available by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau to the Administrations of Member States and to the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) members.
“ITU’s 2019 Regional Radiocommunication Seminar for the African region has significantly contributed to the sharing of information and capacity-building in the region and the regional preparation for the upcoming WRC-19,” said Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau.
The seminar covered concepts related to spectrum management procedures associated to the recording of frequency assignments in the Master International Frequency Register (MIFR) and concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration and capacity-building programmes among all stakeholders in the region.
An opportunity for delegates to engage
In his opening address, the Acting Chairperson of ICASA, Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, said he believed the seminar presented an opportunity for delegates to engage vigorously and position the region well for WRC-19.
“On the other hand, we continue to ensure that we execute our mandate in a manner that promotes competition, facilitates transformation of the ICT sector through our various interventions, and provides a regulatory environment that encourages investment in the sector,” said Dr Modimoeng.
Regional radiocommunication seminars like this one are organised by ITU to complement the larger, biennial World Radiocommunication Seminars (WRS) so that all ITU countries and regions have ample opportunity to prepare for WRC-19, which will update the Radio Regulations (RR), the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbital resources.
The seminar drew more than 135 participants from 36 countries, including industry experts and stakeholders, ITU Member States and Sector Members, regulators, and representatives of the telecommunication industry, operators, international organisations, associations and academia from the African region.
