THE ITU RADIO REGULATIONS - CHALLENGES FOR SMALL SATELLITES

摘要

The rights and obligations of the Member States of ITU in the domain of international frequency management of the spectrum/orbit resource are incorporated in the Constitution (CS) and Convention (CV) of the ITU and in the Radio Regulations (RR) that complement them. These instruments contain the main principles and lay down the specific regulations governing the following major elements: 1. frequency spectrum allocations to different categories of radiocommunication services; 2. rights and obligations of member administrations in obtaining access to the spectrum/orbit resource-; 3. international recognition of these rights by recording frequency assignments and, as appropriate, any associated orbits, including the geostationary-satellite orbits (GSO) used or intended to be used in the Master International Frequency Register (MIFR). The above regulations are based on the main principles of efficient use of and equitable access to the spectrum/orbit resource- laid down in provision No. 196 of the ITU Constitution (Article 44), which stipulates that "In using frequency bands for radio services, Members States shall bear in mind that radio frequencies and any associated orbits, including the geostationary-satellite orbit, are limited natural resources and that they must be used rationally, efficiently and economically, in conformity with the provisions of the Radio Regulations, so that countries or groups of countries may have equitable access to those orbits and frequencies, taking into account the special needs of the developing countries and the geographical situation of particular countries". As indicated in the above provision, further detailed regulations and procedures governing spectrum/orbit use are contained in the Radio Regulations, which is a binding international treaty (No. 31 of the ITU Constitution). Specific procedures have been established to ensure international recognition of the frequencies used and to safeguard the rights of administrations when they comply with those procedures. The fact that the ITU Constitution and Convention and the Radio Regulations that complement them are intergovernmental treaties ratified by governments - means that those governments undertake: 1. to apply the provisions in their countries; and 2. to adopt adequate national legislation that includes, as the basic minimum, the essential provisions of this international treaty. The international Radio Regulations are nevertheless oriented mainly towards matters of a global or regional character, and in many areas there is scope for making special arrangements on a bilateral or multilateral basis.