1. WMO Radio-frequency Coordination Working within the ITU frame
Introduction by chair
David Thomas is the Chief of the WMO information and telecommunication system division which is a part of the WMO Information System Branch. He is here today to tell us about a very important WIGOS activity for which he is also responsible and that is Radio frequency coordination with WMO.
David Thomas
Chief Information and Telecommunication System Division, WMO

2. Introduction
Purpose – to plea for participation in Radio Frequency Coordination by RA II experts in ITU national and regional frequency coordination
Especially in Arab states
Describe why RFC is important (Res 29 Cg.17)
Describe the workings of the International Telecommunications Union on frequency allocation and management, particularly
ITU radiocommunication sector (ITU-R)
Describe how WMO RFC works
Invite RA II WIGOS working group to provide representation in CBS Steering Group on Radio Frequency Coordination (SG-RFC)
More detailed information is available at
Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you about radio frequency coordination in WMO. Today we will cover why radio frequency is important, how the International Telecommunication Union’s Radio communication sector operates and how WMO works with ITU in these processes.
The information I will be presenting you is well documented in all UN languages from the web page provided here.
However, my main purpose today is to invite RA II to assist radio frequency coordination activities by targeted participation of RA II experts in ITUs regional processes, in particular the Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG).

3. Why Worry about radio frequency
Resolution 29 (Cg-17)
Considering:
(1) The prime importance of the specific radiocommunication services for meteorological and related environmental activities required for the detection and early warning of hazards and the prevention and mitigation of natural and technological (human-induced) disasters, the safety of life and property, the protection of the environment, climate change studies and scientific research,
(2) The importance of information provided by the Earth-exploration systems including meteorological systems for a wide range of economic activities such as agriculture, transportation, construction and tourism,
(3) The crucial importance of the allocation of suitable radio-frequency bands for the operation of surface-based meteorological observing systems, including in particular radiosondes, weather radars and wind profiler radars,
(4) The crucial importance of the allocation of suitable radio-frequency bands for the operation of meteorological and research & development satellites, including remote-sensing, data collection and data distribution links,
So why is radio frequency management so important.
Resolution 29 (Cg-17) highlights the importance of specific radiocommunication services to Earth exploration systems, including meteorological systems.
These systems rely on having suitable radiofrequency bands available for the operation of surface and space based meteorological and related environmental observing systems and communications systems.

4. Why Worry about radio frequency
Resolution 29 (Cg-17)
Stressing that some radio-frequency bands are a unique natural resource due to their special characteristics and natural radiation enabling space-borne passive sensing of the atmosphere and the Earth surface, which deserve adequate allocation to the Earth-exploration satellite service (passive) and absolute protection from interference,
Expresses its serious concern at the continuing threat to several radio-frequency bands allocated to the meteorological aids, meteorological-satellite, Earth-exploration satellite and radiolocation (weather and wind profiler radars) services posed by the development of other radiocommunication services;
Requests the Commission for Basic Systems to pursue the continuous review of regulatory and technical matters related to radio frequencies for operational and research meteorological and related environmental activities, and preparation of guidance and information for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, in coordination with other technical commissions …
Resolution 29 further stresses that some radio-frequency bands are a unique natural resource due to their special characteristics and natural radiation enabling space-borne passive sensing of the atmosphere and the Earth surface, which deserve adequate allocation to passive Earth-exploration satellite service with absolute protection from interference.
Given its concern about the ongoing and increasing demand for spectrum by other users, Congress has tasked CBS to maintain a continuous review of regulatory and technical matters related to radio frequencies for operational and research meteorological and related environmental activities.

5. Why Worry about radio frequency
Resolution 29 (Cg-17)
Urges all Members to do their utmost to ensure the availability and protection of suitable radiofrequency bands required for meteorological and related environmental operations and research, and in particular:
(1) To ensure that their national radiocommunication administrations are fully aware of the importance of and requirements for radio frequencies for meteorological and related activities, and to seek their support in the ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) activities;
(2) To participate actively in the national, regional and international activities on relevant radiocommunication regulatory issues and, in particular, to involve experts from their Services in the work of relevant regional telecommunication organizations and of ITU-R, especially ITU-R Study Groups 5 and 7 on Terrestrial (including radiolocation) and Science Services, respectively;
(3) To register adequately with their national radiocommunication administrations all radiocommunication stations and radio frequencies used for meteorological and related environmental operations and research;
Congress urged all Members to do their utmost to ensure the availability and protection of suitable radio frequency bands .
In particular, NMHS should ensure that their national radiocommunication administrations are fully aware of the importance to our needs and to seek their support in the ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) activities;
It is important that your WIGOS strategies include active participation in the national, regional and international activities on relevant radiocommunication regulatory issues and, in particular, to involve your experts in the work of relevant regional telecommunication organizations and of ITU-R, especially ITU-R Study Groups 5 and 7 on Terrestrial (including radiolocation) and Science Services, respectively;
The resolution also urged Members to register adequately with their national radiocommunication administrations all radiocommunication stations and radio frequencies used for meteorological and related environmental operations and research;

6. To sumnmarise, many of our environmental observations rely on frequency in some way either for remote sensing or for communications. 6

7. No frequency = No Observations
As demand on spectrum grows by systems that bring in a lot of money to governments, unless we fight to maintain our needs, they will be lost or made unusable.
No frequency means no observations. 7

8. International Telecommunications Union
ITU (established in 1865) - the leading United Nations agency for telecommunications, information and communication technologies.
Manages Radio Frequency
192 Member States, more than 700 Sector members and Associates
~750 staff from 80 countries
6 official languages
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish
Annual budget ≈ $130 millions
by voluntary contributions
Web address:
Radio frequency management is a sovereign responsibility within a country, however, radio waves do not stop at boarders. Therefore there is a need for international collaboration to manage spectrum.
The international telecommunications Union was established in 1865 and it is the prime body for managing frequency allocations and usage,
It has effectively the same membership as WMO (192 states) but also has over 700 sector and associate Members.
Staff wise, ITU is about twice the size and it has a much large budget
WMO and ITU work really well together and have observer status with each other. This is really important for WMO as it gives us a way into their processes.
ITU has a federal structure: General Secretariat and 3 Sectors – see the next slide. 8

9. ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP)
ITU Structure (3 Sectors and General Secretariat) and Management Bodies
Plenipotentiary Conference (PP)
World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC)
World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA)
ITU
ITU-T
Telecommunication standardization of networks and service aspects
ITU-D
Assisting implementation and operation of telecommunications in developing countries
Structurally, ITU has three sectors and a General Secretariat, each with its own “Congress style” management.
For frequency management, it is the Radiocommunication Sector, covering Radiocommunication standardization and the global radio-frequency spectrum/orbit management. It is called ITU-R
It is managed by its Radiocommunication Assembly (RA) which is like our Executive Council, and all major decisions and regulatory treaties are established at World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) which are more like out Congress.
ITU-R
Radiocommunication standardization and the global radio-frequency spectrum/orbit management
Radiocommunication Assembly (RA) & World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) 9

10. Mission of Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)
Role conducted through (inter alia):
World and Regional Radio- communication Conferences
Radiocommunication Study Groups
Radio Regulations Board
Radiocommunication Bureau
“To ensure rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including those using satellite orbits, and to carry out studies and adopt recommendations on radiocommunication matters.”
So, ITU-R works through its World and Regional Radio-communication conferences like our Cg and RA, and it has study groups like our Technical Commissions, each of which has working parties like our expert teams.
As noted earlier, the Radio Regulations board is like our executive council which works closely with the Radio Communications Bureau which is like the WMO secretariat.
Like the secretariat at WMO, ITU-R Bureau aim at creating the conditions for harmonized development and efficient operation of existing and new radiocommunication systems, taking due account of all parties concerned
[Oh, you probably have noticed, as well as frequency, ITU-R also coordinates orbit usage. This is not a big thing in the past, but is a growing problem with the use of nano and pico satellites coming into operation.]
In implementing this mission, the actions in ITU-R aim at creating the conditions for harmonized development and efficient operation of existing and new radiocommunication systems, taking due account of all parties concerned.
ITU-R is the steward of the global framework for spectrum. 10

11. World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC)
Updates the Radio Regulations (international treaty)
Spectrum Allocation
Primarily by ITU Region
Coordination and Notification procedures
Administrative and operational procedures
Adopts Resolutions
Held every 3-4 years
Around 4000 participants (Self funded)
WMO is an observer to WRC and our input is very respected
WMO needs to input early in the decision chain ( SGs, Regional Groups, etc) RR
WRC
World radiocommunication conferences (WRC) are held every three to four years. It is the job of WRC to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Revisions are made on the basis of an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which takes into account recommendations made by previous world radiocommunication conferences.
The general scope of the agenda of world radiocommunication conferences is established four to six years in advance, with the final agenda set by the ITU Council two years before the conference, with the concurrence of a majority of Member States.
Under the terms of the ITU Constitution, a WRC can:
revise the Radio Regulations and any associated Frequency assignment and allotment Plans;
address any radiocommunication matter of worldwide character;
instruct the Radio Regulations Board and the Radiocommunication Bureau, and review their activities;
determine Questions for study by the Radiocommunication Assembly and its Study Groups in preparation for future Radiocommunication Conferences.
Conference Preparatory Meeting s (CPM) prepare a consolidated report in advance of WRC to be used in support of the work of the conferences
WRC is attended by about 4000 people. WMO participates as an observer but our input is very respected, however, we need to feed the information into the decision chain at the right places and times to be effective. 11

12. WMO RA II is in all ITU Regions
As noted earlier, ITU manages frequencies by its three regions. These are basically
Region 1 is Africa, Europe, much of the Middle East and Russia
Region 2 is the Americas
Region 3 is the Asia Pacific
Thus, it can be seen that WMO RA II includes ITU Regions 1 and 3.
WMO RA II is in all ITU Regions

13. WRC Regional Preparation
For the preparation of common and coordinated proposals
WRC Regional Preparation
WRC Regional Preparation (6 regional groups)
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administrations (CEPT)
Markus DREIS & Philippe TRISTANT
(Eumetsat & Eumetnet)
Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC)
Alexandre AZAROV (Russian Federation)
Inter-American Telecommunication Commission
(CITEL)
Jose Arimatea (Brazil), Dave FRANC &
Carmelo RIVERA (USA)
Unlike WMO which has one regional group for each Region, ITU has six Regional Groups.
These are extremely important from a frequency management view as these regional groups bring to the Radio Communication sector consolidated views and decisions from their Member countries and states much like the Regional Associations can at Congress and EC in WMO.
These regional groups can also be very active in ITU study groups (remembering, SGs are like our Technical Commissions) so working with the Regional Groups and their decision processes is a very important activity for WMO’s SG-RFC.
I have included here the names of our WMO focal points for each of the Regional Groups. You will see that we have all but the Arab Spectrum Management Group at least partially covered.
The groups and representative for SG-RFC are as follows:
CITEL: The Inter American Telecommunication Commission has focal points Jose Arimatea from Brazil and Dave FRANC and Carmelo RIVERA from the USA
APT: The Asia Pacific Telecommunity has focal points Paul HETTRICK & Bryan HODGE from Australia
CEPT: The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administrations is represented by Markus DREIS (Eumetsat) and Philippe TRISTANT (Eumetnet)
ATU; The African Telecommunication Union is represented by Henry KARANJA (Kenya)
RCC: the Regional Commonwealth in the field of communications is represented by Alexandre AZAROV (Russian Federation)
ASMG: As noted, the Arab Spectrum Management Group has no representation
Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
(APT)
Paul HETTRICK & Bryan HODGE (Australia)
African Telecommunication Union (ATU)
Henry KURUNGA (Kenya)
Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG)
No representation

14. WRC Regional Preparation
RA II is affected by all Regional Groups other than CITEL
WRC Regional Preparation
WRC Regional Preparation (6 regional groups)
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administrations (CEPT)
Markus DREIS & Philippe TRISTANT
(Eumetsat & Eumetnet)
RA II, VI
Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC)
Alexandre AZAROV (Russian Federation)
RA II, VI
Inter-American Telecommunication Commission
(CITEL)
Jose Arimatea (Brazil), Dave FRANC &
Carmelo RIVERA (USA)
RA III, IV
You can see from this diagram that WMO RA II sits in all regional groups other than the Americas (CITEL) but no one from RA II in SG-RFC acts as a focal point for any.
Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
(APT)
Paul HETTRICK & Bryan HODGE (Australia)
RA II, V
African Telecommunication Union (ATU)
Henry KURUNGA (Kenya)
RA I, II
Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG)
No representation
RA I, II, VI

15. Driven by resolutions from WRC the WRC preparation and decision making process is very formal. Basically one WRC determines what is to be considered at the next two or three WRCs and what should be studied. The first Conference Preparation Meeting indentifies how it should structure its report and what chapter each topic should go under.
Study groups and the Bureau then get the following two or three years to prepare the contents of the CPM report which is reviewed at a second CPM within a year before WRC. This report is used as guidance to Members for decisions to be made at the WRC, and includes draft text for the resolutions etc.
In order to work within these processes, it is essential to know it well and to be able to provide input at the right stages. Fortunately WMO is very well respected and our input well received, but this comes through being well known in the formative stages of the WRC cycle by participation in the Study and Regional Groups.

16. How does WMO address Res 29 (Cg-17)?
CBS Steering Group on Radio frequency Coordination (SG-RFC)
Under CBS OPAG IOS
Works with CGMS, SFCG and ITU study & regional groups to feed the ITU process of WRC as well as addressing ongoing and future spectrum issues.
Meets annually (~20 people)
11 Core members
10 Associate members
7 Interested experts
CBS has a group of experts working together as the Steering Group on Radio Frequency Coordination (The SG-RFC). Formally, SG-RFC sits under the CBS Open Programme Area of integrated observing systems. It represents all WMO programmes, including CIMO and other technical commissions
It works with other formal and informal bodies such as the Coordination Group on Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), the Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG) and GEO in order to feed the right information into the ITU study groups and conferences.
Although ITU is a major aspect, SG-RFC also addresses ongoing and future spectrum issues of WMO programmes.
SG-RFC normally meets once a year and, depending on location and current issues, is attended by about 20 experts.
Most of the work of SG-RFC takes place by correspondence and document submissions to SG-RFC and to ITU-R forums with very substantial input from its 21 members and 7 interested experts.

17. SG-RFC Develops WMO Position on WRC agenda items
Makes this available to WMO Members
Participates in ITU Study Groups and Working Parties
Provides coordination for national positions between SG-RFC members
Provides background and support input to NMHS to support WMO position within national and regional preparation.
Participates in ITU regional groups as an observer, presenting WMO position
Normally by member of SG-RFC from the regional group
Ideally someone who already is known and works in the ITU regional group
Matching language and culture is important at regional level
Represents WMO at ITU CPM and related WRC preparation meetings
Forwarding WMO RFC strategy ( )
Update of ITU/WMO handbook on spectrum usage
Organizing a workshop for ITU and WMO RFC manager
The work practices of SG-RFC follow very closely those described in the WMO strategy for radio frequency coordination as available in all official languages from the link The key activities are listed here:
For WRC process, SG-RFC develops a WMO Position paper on upcoming WRC agenda items and makes this available to WMO Members to use in their national and regional activities. It participates in ITU Study Groups and Working Parties,
coordinating national positions between SG-RFC members. It also arranges participation in ITU regional groups as an observer, presenting WMO position
Ideally, this is a member of SG-RFC who already is known and works in the ITU regional group.
We have found that matching language and culture is as important at regional level as it is at the national level.
SG-RFC also represents WMO at ITU CPM and related WRC preparation meetings
Forwarding WMO RFC strategy ( )
Major efforts next year will be to complete the update of ITU/WMO handbook on spectrum usage and to organizing a workshop for ITU and WMO radio frequency managers.
This workshop will use the recently develop Guide to NMHS on spectrum management as well as the updated Joint WMO ITU handbook to increase the awareness of our needs with frequency managers who have come along since our last workshop in 2009

18. WRC19 CPM report status & WPs
Chapters
Red: Interest to WMO (yellow: possible interest)
Lead (concerned) ITU Study Groups
Chapter 1 – Land mobile and fixed services
Agenda items : 1.11, 1.12, 1.14, 1.15
WP 5A, 5C & 1A (WPs 4A, 4B, 4C, 5B, 5D, 7B, 7C, 7D)
Chapter 2 – Broadband applications in the mobile service
Agenda items : 1.13, 1.16, 9.1 (issues 9.1.1, 9.1.5, 9.1.8)
TG 5/1, WP 5A, WPs 4C and 5D (WPs 3J, 3K, 3M, 4A, 4B, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7C)
Chapter 3 – Satellite services
Agenda items : 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 7, 9.1 (issues 9.1.2, 9.1.3, 9.1.9)
4A, (WPs 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6A, 7B, 7C, 7D)
Chapter 4 –Science services
Agenda items : 1.2, 1.3, 1.7
7B (4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6A, 7C, 7D)
Chapter 5 – Maritime, aeronautical and amateur services
Agenda items : 1.1, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 9.1 (issue 9.1.4)
5A, 5B, (4C, 5C, 6A, 7B)
Chapter 6 – General issues
Agenda items : 2, 4, 9.1 (issues 9.1.6, 9.1.7), 10
CPM19-2, 1B
This diagram is breakdown of the chapters in the CPM report and which agenda items will be in each chapter. I have also listed the responsible study groups addressing the agenda items marked in red in the chapters.
I won’t go through this slide in detail, but it is important to note that there are twelve agenda items, shown in red here, at WRC-19 that might directly impact or be of interest to WMO. There are several other items that might become of interest, the main reason for not being sure at this time is that many of those in yellow do not specifically state which frequencies they have or have potential to affect us.
The column to the right shows which ITU Study Group is responsible for the Chapter in the CPM Report as well as in brackets, those Study Groups that will have an input.
The main thing to highlight here is the complexity of the process and the breadth of study groups that can be related to any one agenda item.
Full details of the agenda items are listed from page 18 of the Results of CPM 1 for WRC-19 at
See page 18 onwards of for details

19. Preliminary WRC-23 Agenda
In this preliminary WRC-23 agenda, two AI, under the responsibility of WP 7C, will have interest for WMO:
to conduct, and complete in time for WRC 23, studies for a possible new allocation to the Earth exploration-satellite (active) service for spaceborne radar sounders within the range of frequencies around 45 MHz, taking into account the protection of incumbent services, in accordance with Resolution 656 (WRC 15);
in accordance with Resolution 657 (WRC 15), to review the results of studies relating to the technical and operational characteristics, spectrum requirements and appropriate radio service designations for space weather sensors, with a view to providing appropriate recognition and protection in the Radio Regulations without placing additional constraints on incumbent services;
I t is important to note that we are also working on two future agenda items for WRC-23, including the issue of frequency requirements for Space Weather services.
This issue was fed into the WRC process by WMO through the SG-RFC participation and approved at WRC-15.
This is just one example of how far ahead SG-RFC has to work. A previous example was Ocean Radars which were successfully finalised at WRC-12 following a long and difficult process.

20. Conclusions
Res 29 (Cg-17) highlights the importance of frequency coordination and urges Members to support WMO matters in national and regional ITU-R activities
Frequencies are allocated by ITU region
RA II includes all three ITU regions and 5 out of the 6 regional working groups (RCC, ASMG, ATU, CEPT or APT)
Despite four RA II countries with members in SG-RFC,
No RA II NMHS representation in ASMG, ATU, CEPT or APT
WMO participation in ITU regional groups is most effective if coming from an expert from the regional group (language, culture, … )
A priority should be representation in ASMG
WRC-19 has at least 12 agenda items of interest to WMO
Work is underway on WRC-19 items
Including Space Wx studies for consideration of WRC-23
RA II WIGOS group is encouraged to include support to frequency coordination in its work plan
So in conclusion we note that Res 29 (Cg-17) highlighted the importance of frequency coordination and urged Members to support WMO matters in national and regional ITU-R activities.
Frequencies are allocated by ITU by ITU region
We see that WMO RA II includes two out of three ITU regions and 5 out of the 6 regional working groups (RCC, ASMG, ATU, CEPT or APT)
We see that despite having four RA II countries represented in SG-RFC, there is no RA II NMHS representation in ASMG, ATU, CEPT or APT
Noting that WMO participation in ITU regional groups would be most effective if coming from an expert from the regional group (i.e. language, culture, etc ), we would like to improve this and that a priority for SG-RFC is getting suitable representation in the Arab Spectrum Management Group.
We see that WRC-19 has at least 12 agenda items of interest to WMO and that
work is underway on WRC-19 items as well as addressing Space Wx studies for consideration of WRC-23
In closing, I would like to thank you again for inviting me to present to you on radio frequency coordination. I would also like to encourage RA II WIGOS group to include support to frequency coordination in its work plan
Thank you.

21. Thank you
Source:

22. ITU Structure and Elected Officials
coordination
Plenipotentiary conference
management & responsibility
ITU Council
consultations
Coordination Committee
Secretary-General
Deputy Secretary- General
Houlin Zhao China
World Policy Forum
ITU Structure and Elected Officials
Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)
Secretariat - BR BR Director
Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Secretariat - TSB TSB Director
Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) Secretariat - BDT BDT Director
General Secretariat (Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary- General)
This is a organization diagram for ITU show how the ITU-R fits in and who the relevant directors are.
Chaesub Lee Republic of Korea
Brahima Sanou Burkina Faso
Malcolm Johnson United Kingdom
François Rancy France 22