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Media Advisory

Media registration OPENS for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19)

ITU Membership to convene in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt from 21 October to 22 November to determine the future use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits




Geneva, 05 August 2019

​​​​​​​​ ▶  ▶  REGISTER NOW  ◀  ◀​

The World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) will open in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, from 28 October to 22 November 2019. Preceding WRC-19, the Radiocommunication Assembly 2019 (RA-19) will be held in the same venue from 21 to 25 October 2019.

The outcomes of the international treaty-making conference (WRC-19) and the RA-19 will have a global impact in the field of communications. Wireless, and especially space-based, connectivity is helping make smart societies a reality across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (including intelligent transport systems, e-government, tele-education, e-health, e-logistics, smart energy, smart agriculture), in both developed and developing countries, and particularly in rural and remote areas. WRC-19 will facilitate the management of scarce orbit/spectrum resources in the interest of end-users, with global implications for both policy-makers and the industry.

​WRC-19 will focus on:​
  1. Reviewing and revising the international regulatory framework for radiocommunications – the Radio Regulations – to reflect the increasing convergence in radio services arising from the rapid evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT).​

  2. The management of scarce radio-frequency spectrum to provide new opportunities for radiocommunication services, including those for maritime and aeronautical transport, as well as for scientific purposes related to the environment, meteorology and climatology, disaster prediction, mitigation and relief.​

  3. The management of satellite orbital slots and associated spectrum resources (Earth stations in motion – ESIM​, Non-geostationary fixed-satellite service (FSS) systems and small satellites).
  4. IMT-2020 and beyond (in marketing terms called 5G - Fifth Generation of Mobile Technologies), High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), mobile broadband and other advanced technologies.

What: Radiocommunication Assembly 2019 (RA-1​9) & World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19)

When: RA-19 from 21 to 25 October​ and WRC-19 from 28 October to 22 November 2019

​​Where: Sharm El-Sheikh International Congress Centre (SHICC), Egypt

Why: The World Radiocommunication Conference, held every three to four years, is mandated to review and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. WRC-19 will facilitate the management of scarce orbit/spectrum resources in the interest of end-users, with global implications for both policy-makers and the industry. Radiocommunication Assemblies (RA) are responsible for the structure, programme and approval of radiocommunication studies and standards. They normally convene every three or four years and are associated in time and place with World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs).

Who: ​A combined 3,500+ participants are expected to attend WRC-19 and RA-19, including delegates from the 193 ITU Member States as well as 267 members of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) representing international organizations, equipment manufacturers, network operators and industry forums, who attend as observers.

Media badges will be effective for both RA-19 and WRC-19, thus only one accreditation and registration request is necessary to attend both conferences.

Note for UN-accredited media: UN accreditation is valid, but due to strict security measures, all attendees must have event badges to access the RA-19 and WRC-19 venues. UN-accredited media are only required to email pressreg@itu.int expressing their intention to participate. They will be automatically pre-registered and will just have to stop by the registration area in Sharm el-Sheikh with their UN badge to pick up their event badge.

Note for general and local media: Media are recommended to submit their request for accreditation and registration in advance to allow enough time for media credentials verification and to receive key announcements in the run-up to the conferences. Local media must also submit a request for accreditation and registration in advance of the conferences to avoid long queues on the opening day. Upon advance accreditation and registration, they need to present a photo ID to receive the event badge on site.

Foreign media requiring a visa to enter Egypt should submit their request for registration and accreditation as soon as possible to receive their confirmation letter for their visa application.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST FOR CONFERENCE ACCREDITATION & REGISTRATION

For more information and media backgrounders, please visit the WRC-19 Newsroom.