World Radiocommunication Conference 2019

World Radiocommunication Conference 2019
Name	World Radiocommunication Conference 2019
Abbrev	WRC-19
Venue	Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre
Location	Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Dates	28 October – 22 November 2019
Organizer	International Telecommunication Union
Previous	World Radiocommunication Conference 2015
Next	World Radiocommunication Conference 2023

World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 The World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 convened in Sharm el-Sheikh under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union to revise the Radio Regulations and coordinate international use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits. Delegates from member states, regional organizations, industry consortia, and civil society met to consider agenda items carried from prior conferences including World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 and preparatory work from ITU-R. The conference produced decisions affecting terrestrial and satellite systems with implications for mobile broadband, fixed-satellite service, and aeronautical and maritime communications.

Background and Objectives

WRC-19 followed the cycle set by the International Telecommunication Union and responded to studies mandated by resolutions from World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 and Plenipotentiary Conference. The objectives included reviewing sharing and compatibility of services in bands relevant to International Mobile Telecommunications and examining spectrum for emerging applications advocated by groups such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project, GSMA, European Commission, and national administrations like Federal Communications Commission and Ofcom. The conference aimed to update the Radio Regulations to reflect technical advances in geostationary orbit and non-geostationary satellite orbit systems, balancing interests of regional organizations including the African Telecommunications Union and Asia-Pacific Telecommunity.

Agenda and Key Topics

Key agenda items included allocation of the 24.25–27.5 GHz, 37–43.5 GHz, and 42–43.5 GHz bands for International Mobile Telecommunications, considerations for the 3.3–3.8 GHz and 6 GHz ranges, and regulatory provisions for non-geostationary satellite orbit systems such as those proposed by SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon's satellite initiatives. Delegates debated compatibility of fixed service links used by broadcasters like BBC and Deutsche Welle with mobile allocations, and protections for radar services associated with aviation operators like International Civil Aviation Organization and maritime stakeholders including International Maritime Organization. Other topics encompassed regulatory measures for amateur services represented by groups like the International Amateur Radio Union and considerations related to earth exploration-satellite service operations linked to agencies such as European Space Agency and NASA.

Preparations and Participating Parties

Preparatory work involved extensive technical studies by ITU-R Study Group 5, regional preparatory meetings such as CEPT conferences in Europe and AFCCT-led sessions in Africa, and inputs from industry consortia including GSMA, 3GPP, ETSI, Telecom Infra Project, and satellite operators like EUTELSAT and Intelsat. National administrations from United States, China, India, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, France, Germany, Japan, and United Kingdom coordinated positions through regional organizations—Inter-American Telecommunication Commission and Arab Spectrum Management Group—while engaging stakeholders such as IEEE, ITU-D, and nongovernmental organizations like Access Now.

Major Decisions and Spectrum Allocations

WRC-19 adopted new or upgraded allocations for International Mobile Telecommunications in multiple millimeter-wave bands including 24.25–27.5 GHz and 37–43.5 GHz, while reaffirming existing allocations in sub-6 GHz ranges. The conference modified regulatory text to accommodate deployment of non-geostationary satellite orbit systems, establishing epfd limits and sharing criteria to protect fixed-satellite service and radio astronomy operations represented by institutions like Square Kilometre Array. Decisions preserved protections for safety-related services advocated by ICAO and IMO, and permitted studies toward potential future allocations in the 6 GHz band involving stakeholders such as CISCO Systems and Huawei. Regional footnotes and coordination mechanisms were added, reflecting positions advanced by blocs including European Union, African Union, and Commonwealth of Nations.

Technical Studies and Reports

Underlying WRC-19 decisions were extensive technical reports from ITU-R Study Group 5 and study groups addressing sharing scenarios, propagation models, and interference criteria, drawing on measurement campaigns by organizations including NTIA, NIST, CSIRO, and research bodies linked to Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University. Analyses addressed coexistence between 5G deployments standardized by 3GPP and incumbent services such as fixed links, satellite earth stations, and passive services like radio astronomy prioritized by International Astronomical Union. Modeling tools and simulation frameworks developed by IEEE Communications Society and testing labs like ETSI informed thresholds, equivalent power flux-density limits, and coordination zones.

Controversies and Stakeholder Reactions

The conference generated disputes between proponents of rapid 5G expansion—backed by GSMA and major equipment vendors like Ericsson and Nokia—and defenders of incumbent services including national broadcasters (NHK, ARTE) and satellite operators (Intelsat, SES). Radio astronomy groups such as those associated with Atacama Large Millimeter Array raised concerns about increased interference, while civil society organizations including Privacy International and industry observers like Financial Times highlighted geopolitical tensions involving United States–China technology competition. Negotiations over the 6 GHz band and protections for aeronautical radionavigation services involved contentious regional compromises and vigorous interventions by regulatory authorities including FCC and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (China).

Implementation and Impact on Services

Post-conference implementation required administrations to update national frequency allocation tables and coordinate filings with the International Telecommunication Union and regional bodies such as CEPT and APG. The allocations facilitated accelerated rollout of 5G implementations by operators including Verizon, China Mobile, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone, while satellite operators adjusted network plans for LEO constellations proposed by SpaceX and OneWeb. Research infrastructures like Square Kilometre Array and observatories such as Arecibo Observatory (pre-collapse legacy) and Green Bank Observatory adapted protection measures, and aviation and maritime services maintained coordination to preserve safety-of-life communications overseen by ICAO and IMO.

Category:International Telecommunication Union conferences