The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) begins in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt today, 28 October and will conclude on 22 November 2019.
The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-19) concluded charting future directions in radiocommunication systems and information and communication technologies last week. Chaired by Sergey Pastukh of the Russian Federation, RA-19 set future work programmes for the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and approved a range of radiocommunication standards (ITU-R Recommendations) and Resolutions that will have a global impact on future radiocommunication technologies.
Discussion highlights during Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-19) will include enhancements to television, sound and multimedia broadcasting systems while outlining a roadmap for developing countries and promoting accessibility for persons with disabilities and specific needs; advanced technologies for short-range devices (SRD) in support of the Internet of Things, with applications for radio-frequency identification devices (RFID) and certain types of medical devices; railway radiocommunications systems between train and trackside (RSTT), which are vital to provide improved railway traffic operations in a high-speed environment; ongoing enhancements to International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), including IMT-2020 also known as 5G and the evolving convergence of a number of industries and services and deployment of international public telecommunications via satellite in developing countries to foster affordable and universal access, particularly through global coverage and delivery of next-generation broadband technologies along with a focus on capacity-building.
“The Radiocommunication Assembly is an important reminder of the central role of radiocommunications in the overall technological progress of telecommunications and ICTs,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “By approving Recommendations or standards pertaining to radiocommunication services and by defining future activities of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector, RA-19’s outcomes will pave the way towards shaping the ever-evolving telecommunications environment in which we operate.”
Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau added: “The Radiocommunication Assembly has done a stellar job in updating and adopting Resolutions on innovative technologies as well as updating a number of standards that will shape the further development of radiocommunication systems. The outcomes of RA-19 have set the stage for the World Radiocommunication Conference, which will play a pivotal role in shaping tomorrow’s digital communication ecosystem.”
