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Understanding Modern Spectrum Management (Asia)
The key engineering, legal and policy issues
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Glossary
ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is an agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies. The agency plays an important role in international spectrum management and coordination.
The ITU is separated into three main areas of activity organised by sector. These are as follows:
- the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R): Global management of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
- the Telecommunication Standardisation Sector (ITU-T): Foster the development and use of international standards (known as ITU-T Recommendations).
- the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D): Foster cooperation in the creation and improvement of telecommunications in developing countries.
The ITU agency organises the World Radiocommunication ConferenceThe World Radiocommunication Conference (W... where its members coordinate spectrum internationally. The agency also maintains a register of global satellite orbit slots to coordinate satellite filings. Finally, the ITU is involved in the standardisation and development of communications technology, such as IMT-2020 (5G) and IMT-2030International Mobile Telecommunications (I... (6G).
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the ITU is made up of 194 Member States (i.e. countries). Following the entry of Palau in September 2024, all UN Member States are also ITU members. The body also has members from more than 1,000 companies, universities, research institutes, and international and regional organisations.