ITU sets the stage for the development of 6G

• Resolution further calls on ITU Member States to support the inclusion of women in all aspects and levels of ITU‑R activities.
• Adopts a resolution for the development of standards and radio interface technologies for the sixth generation of IMT systems.
• WRC-23 will meet in Dubai from November 20 through December 15, 2023.

The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) has set the agenda for the development of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT-2030) for 6G and sustainable use of spectrum and orbital resources.

The Assembly, that concluded in Dubai, UAE, adopted a resolution for the development of standards and radio interface technologies for the sixth generation of IMT systems.

Among other outcomes, RA-23 also adopted a resolution on gender equality to strengthen, accelerate and widen the active involvement of women in the work of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). 

Ensuring a promising future

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of ITU, said that the work of the Radiocommunication Assembly helps us shape how “we live together in our interconnected world.”

“The outcomes of this meeting ensure a promising future for ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector and, through the groundbreaking resolution on gender equality, for women in the radiocommunications field.”

Mario Maniewicz, Director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau, said this Radiocommunication Assembly has achieved significant accomplishments and the outcomes will establish the framework for the activities of the ITU Radiocommunication Study Groups in the upcoming four-year study period..

“We have set the stage for the development of new technologies with the potential to deliver better capacity and coverage everywhere, bridging the digital divide, as well as providing possible solutions to the challenges and impacts they will have on our lives.”

Women empowerment

The adoption of the gender resolution was called for by the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference’s “Declaration on Promoting Gender Equality, Equity and Parity in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector.”

The resolution calls on the ITU Radiocommunication Sector to strengthen and accelerate all efforts to ensure that its policies, work programmes, information dissemination activities, publications, study groups, seminars, courses, assemblies and conferences reflect the commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

With Australia’s Carol Wilson serving as the first woman to chair an ITU Radiocommunication Assembly, the resolution further calls on ITU Member States to support the inclusion of women in all aspects and levels of ITU‑R activities and to undertake a variety of specific actions to promote and increase the interest of, and opportunities for, women and girls in STEM fields, particularly in electrical engineering and computer science.

Over 1,300 delegates from 128 ITU Member States attended the Dubai event which meets every four years to set the future work programmes for the ITU Radiocommunication Sector, approve radiocommunication standards (ITU-R Recommendations) and resolutions.

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) will meet in Dubai from November 20 through December 15, 2023.

Discussion highlights during RA-23:

• ​Agreement on “IMT-2030″ as the technical reference for the 6th generation of International Mobile Telecommunications; 
• Revision of ITU-R Resolution 65, paving the way for studies on the compatibility of current regulations with potential 6th generation IMT radio interface technologies for 2030 and beyond; 
• Adoption of the new Recommendation ITU-R M. 2160 on the “IMT-2030 Framework,” setting the basis for the development of IMT-2030. The next phase will be the definition of relevant requirements and evaluation criteria for potential radio interface technologies (RIT); 
• Adoption of a new resolution on the use of IMT technologies for fixed wireless broadband; 
• In accordance with Resolution 219 (Bucharest, 2022), adoption of a new resolution on space sustainability to facilitate the long-term sustainable use of radio-frequency spectrum and associated satellite orbit resources used by space services. This will be supportive of further cooperation with other United Nations organisations and beneficial to the satellite industry; 
• Conclusion of a new ITU-R Recommendation on the protection of the radio navigation-satellite service and amateur satellite services; 
• Revision of Resolution ITU-R 8-3 to promote the participation of engineers and scientists from developing countries in propagation campaigns in tropical and subtropical regions of the world for which there is limited data monitoring.