World Radio Conference 2023 Will Impact Amateur Satellite Service

The World Radio Conference in 2023, WRC-23, will take place 20 November 2023 - 15 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Some decisions made during the conference will affect Amateur Radio and the Amateur Satellites service.

Representing Amateur Radio at the conference is the IARU, the International Amateur Radio Union. The two most pressing issues affecting the Amateur Satellite Service are:

  1. Additional measures to protect the radionavigation-satellite (space-to-Earth) in the 1240 - 1300 MHz band from amateur interference. As in most microwave allocations, the Amateur Service is secondary and must avoid interfering with primary services operating in the band, even if they are introduced later.

    An ITU Radiocommunication sector Recommendation that contains guidance for administrations is in the final stage of development. If an agreement is reached prior to WRC-232, it should complete work on the item.

  2. Identification of the 10 - 10.5 GHz band for International Mobile Telecommunications in ITU Region 2, including a primary allocation to the mobile service. The IARU opposes the introduction of IMT in the band and has some allies among administrators within and outside of Region 2.