Signatures : Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Djibouti, Estonie, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Türkiye, United Kingdom, European Space Agency.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) plays a fundamental role in maintaining the international framework for the use of the radio frequency spectrum and associated satellite orbits. It supports interference-managed environment for radiocommunication systems worldwide - a crucial issue for space services. This ITU framework is based on the Radio Regulations, a binding international treaty, revised every four years at World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC), which set out rules and procedures governing the registration, coordination and protection of ITU Member States’ rights of use, in particular for space assignments.
We support the role of ITU as the primary global entity responsible for the efficient and sustainable use of the radio frequency spectrum and associated orbit. We acknowledge that the ITU has successfully accommodated and facilitated the development of satellite systems including large constellations and a wide range of new-space applications. We are confident that the Radio Regulations will continue to evolve to adapt to new scientific and technological development and that the ITU will continue to implement this framework in a fair, transparent and effective manner.
In an evolving geopolitical context, we firmly believe that adherence to the ITU global governance of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, rooted in a multilateralism based on international Law and the ITU constitution and convention, is the essential foundation for nations for the coordination of radiocommunication systems to prevent harmful interference between satellite systems and for the development of their space radiocommunication policy while avoiding harmful interference between satellites.
The frequency registration procedures managed by the ITU foster equitable access to spectrum and associated orbits, with, today, all 194 ITU Member States having national resources in the ITU Space Plan and more than 100 administrations having additional satellite assignments, including 56 for geostationary orbit. The ITU allows many developing countries to develop their own satellite capabilities free from harmful radio interference, in order to meet the connectivity needs of their populations. This equitable access to spectrum and orbit resources, particularly to developing countries, supports the broader goal of reducing the digital divide, as pursued through the ITU’s development mandate.
We note that studies relating to the framework established in the Radio Regulations for the protection of geostationary networks (GSO) from non-geostationary (NGSO) constellations will be reported to WRC-27. In this context, it will be important to ensure conducive environment for both technologies and to maintain a reliable protection of geostationary networks with clear, measurable and predictable interference environment, particularly in the Ku and Ka bands, while ensuring that NGSO systems are not unduly constrained. Any future evolution of the radio regulation should remain proportionate, evidence-based and technology-neutral, ensuring effective protection of GSO networks while facilitating the development and deployment of NGSO systems. WRC-27 will also consider the topic of satellite Direct-to-Device communications, taking into account aspects such as supporting innovation and resilient coverage, protecting terrestrial networks, and preserving technology neutrality and spectrum efficiency.
We stress the importance for any satellite system to strictly comply with Radio Regulations rules governing the protection of GSO networks as well as with the coordination procedures applicable to constellations using the same frequency bands. This is essential to ensure the continuity of satellite services that support public space services and governmental satellite services, while also enabling the efficient deployment and operation of NGSO constellations within a technology neutral framework that fosters innovation and access to spectrum.
Based on ITU rules and procedures, we remain firmly committed to protecting our satellite systems from harmful interference.
This statement is not a legally binding document and does not create legal rights or obligations under domestic or international law.
