Malcolm Johnson: Expectations for WRC-19

Pacific Telecommunications Council

Interviewee: Malcolm Johnson, Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) In this PTC coffee break guide, our podcast deals with upcoming changes in spectrum and satellite orbital management around the world dealt with on a global level by a treaty level co-ordination process. The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is the bedrock intergovernmental meeting of the wireless sector. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organizes the Conference which is typically convened on a four-yearly cycle. With 5G, IoT, vehicle to vehicle communications and other new technologies now arriving, WRC-19, to be convened in Egypt this year, comes at a particular important point in wireless platform development and has immense significance for how the wireless economy will develop. In this interview, Malcolm Johnson outlines the range, scope and importance of WRC-19 and gives an overview of what we might expect in terms of outcomes for WRC-19. Topics covered include: • The background to the World Radiocommunication Conference and the Radio Regulations • Major and highlighted topics for the WRC-19 agenda • Progress on the Digital Dividend • Towards greater harmonization?