Page 128 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY NEWS

UAE to Host Next Year’s World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23)

in Dubai

The International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) is pleased to announce that
the next World Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC-23), will take place at the
Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, United
Arab Emirates (UAE) between 20 November
and 15 December 2023. Held every four
years for a period of four weeks, the World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is
mandated to update the Radio Regulations,
the sole international treaty governing
the use of the radio frequency spectrum
and the geostationary-satellite and non-
geostationary satellite orbits. “I am very
pleased that the WRC-23 is set to happen in
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates," said ITU
Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “The world
has come through the COVID-19 pandemic
relying on digital technologies and services
like never before. WRC 23 provides our
quadrennial opportunity to update the
Radio Regulations, ensure the sustainable
evolution of information and communication of harmful interference. “WRC 23 will play to 17 November 2023 at the same venue.
technologies (ICTs) for all, and establish a key role in shaping the future of technical Over 4,000 delegates are expected to
a coordinated roadmap for expanding and regulatory framework for the provision attend WRC-23 and RA-23, from ITU's 193
radiocommunication services." WRC-23 will of radiocommunication services in all Member States. Also, in attendance as
bring national government authorities and countries," said Mario Maniewicz, Director observers will be representatives from
telecommunication regulatory agencies of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau. the 278 ITU Radiocommunication Sector
together with representatives of key “The economic opportunities brought about Members, representing varied stakeholders
radiocommunications users and providers, by technology should be available not only including equipment manufacturers,
for crucial policy and technical regulatory for some of us, but for all. I am delighted to telecommunications companies, network
discussions at the global level. Engineer see ITU Members making steady progress operators, international organizations, and
Majed Sultan Al Mesmar Director General to ensure a successful conference next industry forums, as well as representatives
of the UAE Telecommunications and Digital year." from ITU's United Nations sister agencies,
Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) Radio Regulations updates Delegates to regional telecommunication organizations
said: “The United Arab Emirates is delighted the conference – a direct governing body and intergovernmental organizations
to extend a warm welcome to ITU Members for ITU's Radiocommunication Sector operating satellite systems, and academia.
to the city of Dubai for WRC-23. As a major (ITU-R) – are expected to consider the The preparatory process for WRCs
hub and global leader in the digital economy, results of technical studies on specific involves extensive studies and technical
the UAE is keen on supporting ITU in the matters on the agenda, and to revise discussions among governments,
vital task of allocating global resources the Radio Regulations accordingly. Such regulatory authorities, network operators,
such as radio-frequency spectrum and revisions will serve to expand access to and equipment suppliers, along with
satellite orbit positions to create a radio frequencies for various services and industry forums and spectrum users at
seamless, reliable, and innovative global applications, including broadcast services, the national, regional, and global levels.
communication system." International emergency communications, and satellite The multi-stakeholder approach enables
cooperation maintained through the and space services, wherever needed consensus-building, essential for each
four-year conference cycle supports the worldwide. The flagship conference will WRC to foster a stable, predictable, and
availability of, and future investment in, be preceded by the Radiocommunication universally applied regulatory environment.
radiocommunication services that are free Assembly (RA-23), taking place from 13
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