Glossary

WRC

| Richard Haas

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is a meeting usually held every four years where ITU member countries agree on a set of Radio Regulations (ITU RR). These regulations help align spectrum policies internationally. This helps avoid cross-border interference and helps create economies of scale.

Delegates at WRC
Thousands of delegates attends WRCs (ITU)

WRCs are organised by the ITU, the United Nation’s agency responsible for information and communication technologies. This means that all 193 ITU member states are allowed to take part in the Conference. Historically they take place in Geneva, where the headquarters of the ITU lies. The most recent conferences, however, were held in Egypt and Dubai.

Decisions made at the conference help countries avoid interference among each other, as it ensures spectrum is used for the same purpose in major regions. Decisions can also ensure spectrum bands are harmonised across different regions. This benefits various industries, which are given the certainty that all or most countries will use a given band for a given service, allowing them to mass-produce equipment which drives down costs.

Glossary Term