World Radiocommunication Conference 2012: Results Affecting Intergovernmental Satellite Organizations

Paper number

IAC-12,E7,5,7,x13896

Author

Mrs. Elina Morozova (Zaytseva), INTERSPUTNIK International Organization of Space Communications, Russia

Year

2012

Abstract

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is held by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to review and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations that is a international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum and the geostationary satellite and non-geostationary satellite orbits. Held in Geneva on January 23 – February 17 and attended by more than 150 countries, WRC-2012 examined a wide range of issues concerning global telecommunications networks and services. The agenda of WRC-2012 included, inter alia, a submission from the Republic of Belarus, which contained a proposal to modify a recently approved Rule of Procedure regarding the replacement of the notifying administration for satellite filings of intergovernmental satellite organizations (IGSO). 

Under the above Rule of Procedure approved by the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) in 2011 in order to record the replacement of a notifying administration representing an intergovernmental satellite organization, the Radiocommunication Bureau (RB) has to be given written notice by the lawful representative of the organization appointed under its regulations, and such notice has to be supported by the agreement of the new administration to assume the functions of the notifying administration. This new Rule of Procedure was intended to fill in legal vacuum, which made RRB deal with deadlocks when transferring satellite filings on a case by case basis earlier.

The proposal of the Republic of Belarus submitted to WRC-2012 included an additional requirement to the new Rule of Procedure, which stated that any request to replace a notifying administration for satellite filings had to be agreed to in writing by that notifying administration. However, said proposal did not rule how the transfer of the notifying administration could be carried out if the former notifying administration disagreed with the IGSO’s legitimate decision or failed to provide any explicit comment in defiance of the will of the organization.

As the new Rule of Procedure affected the interests of all ITU member administrations the proposal of the Republic of Belarus was studied at various working levels of WRC-2012 extremely thoroughly. As several administrations indicated support of the Rule of Procedure as approved by the RRB, including one which acts as the notifying administration for three intergovernmental organizations, it was concluded that the Rule of Procedure was to remain as is.

Abstract document

IAC-12,E7,5,7,x13896.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-12,E7,5,7,x13896.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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