Regulatory Process for Communications Satellite Frequency Allocations

Abstract

Ready access to radio frequencies with limited interference and appropriate orbital positions are indispensable and highly valuable tools for all satellite communications. However, radio frequencies are limited, natural, and international resources. Furthermore, the global demand for radio spectrum has been increasing exponentially. Acting primarily through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the international community has developed a very complex regulatory regime that provides detailed rules and processes that govern the international allocation and allotment of radio frequencies and orbital positions. This chapter briefly describes those regulatory processes as well as the manner in which they are created as part of the functioning of the ITU. This chapter thus provides the basics of ITU procedures for frequency allocations. The immediately following chapter provides the status of the ITU World Radio Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland in the fall of 2015 and the many key new outcomes that occurred at this conference with regard to satellite communications.