Radio Regulations

Source: the Radio Regulations published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

1.16

WRC-27 · Agenda item 1.16

to consider studies on the technical and regulatory provisions necessary to protect radio astronomy operating in specific Radio Quiet Zones, and in frequency bands allocated to the radio astronomy service on a primary basis globally, from aggregate radio-frequency interference caused by non-geostationary-satellite orbit systems, in accordance with Resolution 681 (WRC-23)

Shared frequency bands

Bands this agenda item addresses jointly with other WRC-27 items (CPM Report Table 1). Click a band to open its spectrum page.

42.5–43.5 GHz

Also studied under: AI 1.6

71–76 GHz

Also studied under: AI 1.10 AI 1.18

114.25–116 GHz 130–134 GHz

Also studied under: AI 1.18

At a glance Summary & background Regulatory Studies

At a glance Beta

Governing resolution

Res. 681 (WRC-23)

Responsible group WP 7D

Agenda-item type Technical

What's being studied — points to watch

Aggregate, not single-source

The protection metric must bound the summed interference from a whole constellation, not just one satellite at a time.

Radio Quiet Zones

The RQZ studies focus on two named facilities — the SKA Observatory (South Africa) and ALMA (Chile) — including possible recognition of their zones and coexistence measures satellites can actually implement (Res. 681).

Globally primary RAS bands

Protection is sought in bands where radio astronomy is primary worldwide, so the measures have global reach.

Implementable for operators

Any limit has to be something constellation operators can meet without an impractical redesign.

Preparation timeline

Dec 2023 WRC-23 agenda adopted

Dec 2023 WRC-23 agenda adopted
Dec 2023 CPM 27-1 studies allocated

Dec 2023 CPM 27-1 studies allocated
ITU-R studies 2026

ITU-R studies 2026
ITU-R studies 2027

ITU-R studies 2027
5–15 Apr 2027 CPM 27-2 final report

5–15 Apr 2027 CPM 27-2 final report
RTO Prep meetings 2027

RTO Prep meetings 2027
11–15 Oct 2027 RA-27

11–15 Oct 2027 RA-27
18 Oct–12 Nov 2027 WRC-27

18 Oct–12 Nov 2027 WRC-27

Dec 2023 WRC-23 agenda adopted
Dec 2023 CPM 27-1 studies allocated
ITU-R studies 2026
ITU-R studies 2027
5–15 Apr 2027 CPM 27-2 final report
RTO Prep meetings 2027
11–15 Oct 2027 RA-27
18 Oct–12 Nov 2027 WRC-27

Spotted an inaccuracy in this analysis? Please let us know via the contact form →

Source: ITU Radio Regulations, editions of 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024. The English, French and Spanish texts are each taken from the official edition in that language, not translated from one another. Sources and citation.