Bogdan-Martin Calls for Unity as WRC Opens in Dubai

The World Radiocommunication Conference opened in Dubai Monday, with remarks by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who insisted global cooperation will benefit the many unserved and make the most of increasingly congested spectrum. The ITU said about 4,000 delegates and others are expected to attend the WRC, which runs through Dec. 15. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Anna Gomez are among those attending the start of the conference this week.

The opening remarks marked the first time American Bogdan-Martin appeared at the WRC in the ITU's top slot. U.S. officials said in October the U.S. delegation would be ready for the start of the conference, despite a complicated preparation process (see 2310270047). FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said last week the U.S. faces a tough fight on various issues, especially with China (see 2311170056).

“This is a special moment after four intensive years of preparation, including in the face of a global pandemic,” Bogdan-Martin said during her address. “We have gone through a lot together,” she said: “And the times are once again calling for unity. Unity in a world in turmoil, including in the crisis happening in Gaza and Israel.”

Every radio service “is competing for spectrum to support new and existing applications, skyrocketing user numbers and exploding network traffic,” Bogdan-Martin said. Sharing spectrum “equitably for all humanity requires international coordination and stewardship,” she added. The WRC process provides harmonization on how bands are assigned, “while accommodating new and innovative technologies that users want,” she said. “Consensus is more important than ever.”

Bogdan-Martin noted that host country the United Arab Emirates is one of the few nations with a space program and the first “to actually have an AI minister.”

The WRC concludes “a four-year journey to study and then revise the radio regulations in a manner that will support the introduction of new wireless technologies and their growing spectrum requirements, while continuing to protect the vital radio services we rely on today,” said Mario Maniewicz, director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau.

“Newer innovative technologies will allow us to better monitor our changing planet, and better connect communities and people everywhere -- on land, at sea, in the air and in space,” Maniewicz said.

Maniewicz stressed the importance of the work the WRC will do on space. “A new era of satellite systems has begun, supporting space exploration, space tourism, commercialization of space, broadband applications on land, ships and planes, satellite IoT, space research, remote sensing and observation, inter-satellite links and even lunar and interplanetary communications,” he said.

Viasat President Guru Gowrappan “and colleagues are attending #ITUWRC to discuss the effective management of satellite spectrum to ensure individuals, rural communities and countries can benefit from the economic opportunities that access to the internet affords,” the company posted on X Tuesday. “We are proud to be part of the U.S. delegation as we work with the global community to shape international #wireless spectrum policy,” CTIA posted.

“The decisions made over the next 4 weeks can help solve some of the biggest gaps in connectivity that we face and benefit billions,”GSMA Director-General Mats Granryd posted. “While the challenges are big, we know that working together they can be overcome,” he said.