Spectrum monitoring & management discussed at Bhutan ITU seminar

The ITU Regional Radiocommunication Seminar 2018 for Asia and the Pacific (RRS-18-Asia & Pacific) convened experts and stakeholders from across the region to discuss challenges and opportunities for spectrum monitoring, national plans and regulatory and market aspects of spectrum management.

The regional seminar was convened to discuss these issues in the context of the upcoming ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Eygpt, from 28 October to 22 November 2019 – a conference held every three to four years to review, and if necessary revise, the Radio Regulations – the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits.

“ITU Regional Radiocommunication Seminars, such as this one organized in Thimphu, Bhutan, are an important step in preparing national and international spectrum management decisions of the region for the efficient use of spectrum/orbit resources. Through effective management and use, these play a key role in advancing regional development and attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.

In his opening statement, Bhutan’s Minister of Information and Communication, Lyonpo said, “Satellite technologies and applications have a huge potential for accelerating the socio-economic development of a nation by supporting communications to both urban and remote parts of the country and as a redundant infrastructure in case of disasters. It is therefore important for Bhutan to develop capacity and expertise and to harness the opportunities that satellite technology has to offer in improving the quality of life of its people.”

“ITU’s 2018 Regional Radiocommunication Seminar for Asia and the Pacific has significantly contributed to the dissemination of information and capacity-building in the region and to the regional preparation for the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2019,” said François Rancy, Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau.

The seminar drew over 70 industry experts and stakeholders, including ITU member states and sector members, regulators, as well as representatives of the telecommunication industry, operators, international organizations, associations and academia from 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.