ITU-R and the Spectrum Management Training Programme

#spectrum #management #ITU-R

The ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is one of the three sectors (divisions or units) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is responsible for radio communications. Its role is to manage the international radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources and to develop standards for radiocommunication systems with the objective of ensuring the effective use of the spectrum.

ITU is required, according to its constitution, to allocate spectrum and register frequency allocation, orbital positions and other parameters of satellites, “in order to avoid harmful interference between radio stations of different countries”. The international spectrum management system is therefore based on regulatory procedures for frequency coordination, notification and registration.

In the past, spectrum management training tended to be delivered on the job in an ad hoc way. ITU Academy recently called upon experts both within and outside ITU, to develop the Spectrum Management Training Programme (SMTP), a set of high-level training materials in all areas of spectrum management, In 2018, SMTP received international accreditation from the Central Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (ZEvA).

UBC has licensed ITU's Spectrum Management Training Program. Here we review the internal structure of ITU-R and the scope of the SMTP.