The International Telecommunication Union and Broadcasting from Satellites - A Brief Review

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conducts a continuing and extensive activity with regard to the broadcasting-satellite service (BSS). First, in appropriate administrative radio conferences, the ITU a) allocates frequency bands for the BSS, sometimes shared with other radiocommunications services, b) establishes the conditions for such frequency sharing, c) plans orbit and frequency assignments within the bands allocated to the BSS, and d) establishes utilization rules, e.g., notification procedures for planned direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems, coordination with terrestrial stations, resolution of difficulties,etc. Second, through its International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR), the ITU studies technical and operational matters regarding the BSS, needed by the above conferences and conducive to a smooth international exchange of television and sound programs for the BSS. The paper reviews and explains these activities and their impact on the development of DBS systems in the BSS.