Shaping the Future of Global Spectrum Management

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today published an updated version of the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

The ITU Radio Regulations 2024, which enters into force on 1 January 2025, is the result of a four-year process that culminated in four weeks of negotiations at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) held last year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The ITU Radio Regulations govern the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits for all radio services, systems and applications, including fixed and mobile broadband access, satellite systems, sound and television broadcasting, radio navigation, meteorological monitoring and forecasting, space research and Earth exploration, amateur radio services and other matters.

The treaty provides the basis for the international management of radio frequencies, ensuring that spectrum allocations keep pace with the rapidly changing technological landscape and meet the needs of modern communications systems.

The provisions of the Treaty also regulate the operation of radio equipment and systems to ensure effective and efficient interoperability between different services worldwide and anywhere in space, optimizing the use of increasingly crowded radio bands.

The Radio Regulations 2024 identify new spectrum resources to support technological innovation, deepen global connectivity, increase access to and equitable use of space-based radio resources, and enhance safety and security at sea, in the air and on land.

Global regulation of the radio spectrum began with the signing of the first International Radiotelegraph Convention in Berlin on 3 November 1906, after 30 nations met and agreed on key provisions for maritime communications and safety and established the “SOS” signal as a globally recognised distress signal.

Since then, the Radio Regulations have evolved into a four-volume treaty of over 2,000 pages. The treaty establishes rights and obligations for 193 ITU Member States and now covers over 40 different radiocommunication services, covering frequencies from 8.3 kilohertz (kHz) to 3,000 gigahertz (GHz).

The ITU Radio Regulations facilitate equitable access to and rational use of radio-frequency spectrum and geostationary satellite orbits, both globally shared and limited in nature; support the efficient and effective operation of all radiocommunication services; and facilitate the introduction and regulation of new radiocommunication services and technologies, where necessary.

International coordination mechanisms contained in a treaty managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) aim to ensure the availability of frequencies for distress and safety communications and help prevent or resolve harmful interference between the radio services of different administrations.

The 2024 Radio Regulations are available in all six official UN languages ​​in electronic versions that can be downloaded free of charge. Print and DVD versions will be available for purchase in the coming weeks.