Lesotho, July 2024: The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has convened the first Africa Preparatory Meeting for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27), marking a significant milestone in the continent’s efforts to harmonize its telecommunications landscape and advocate for its unique needs on the global stage.
The meeting, hosted in Maseru, the capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho, serves as a crucial platform for African countries to deliberate on various proposals. The aim is to establish African Common Positions that will be presented at WRC-27, where member states of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will review and revise the International Radio Regulations governing the allocation and use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits to ensure efficient and interference-free radiocommunication services worldwide.
Chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Preparatory Meeting, Hon Nthati Moorosi, Lesotho’s Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation said “We are very pleased to note that the ATU continues to pay close attention to the radio spectrum in order to maximize its crucial role in the digital transformation agenda. This meeting is a demonstration of this fact.”
At the WRC-23, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the African continent prioritized several critical issues, including advocating for equitable access to satellite resources. This was aimed at ensuring that Africa secures its fair share in the global satellite communications market, which currently constitutes only 2% of the total market.
For WRC-27, members of the ATU are focusing on several key issues, which notably will keep expanding as discussions takes form. These include enhancing aeronautical and maritime communication systems to improve safety and reliability, expanding high-speed mobile internet access through new IMT frequency bands, and deploying High-Altitude Platform Stations (HIBS) to boost mobile network coverage in remote areas.
Other issues like, modernizing spectrum management and licensing, and developing frameworks for emerging technologies like 5G are high on the agenda. These efforts aim to bridge the digital divide, support socio-economic development, and ensure Africa remains competitive in the global telecommunications and ICT market.
The ATU Secretary General, Mr. John Omo, in his speech at the opening of the Preparatory Meeting urged experts, policymakers, and industry leaders at the forum to build on the successes of previous WRCs while addressing new challenges with the same determination and foresight.
“Effectively then, our preparation efforts for WRC-27 must keep in mind that this Conference is about more than just allocating frequencies. It is about ensuring that every African has the opportunity to access the digital world,” he said.
Some of the WRC-27 proposals are designed to improve safety and reliability for pilots and maritime navigators, bridge the digital divide through recommendations on spectrum policies and regulations that will ensure reliable internet access to underserved and rural communities, and dramatically improve mobile network coverage in remote areas.
The meeting in Maseru will consider key WRC-23 outcomes and their implementation workplans, establish ATU Working Groups for WRC-27 to formulate and coordinate common African proposals, strategies, and action plans, and note the implementation of ATU Strategic Plan elements related to radiocommunications, ensuring the continent’s interests are effectively represented at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027.
About ATU
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) – headquartered in Nairobi Kenya – was founded in 1977 as a specialised agency of the Organization of African Unity, now African Union, in the field of telecommunications. ATU provides a forum for stakeholders involved in ICT to formulate effective policies and strategies aimed at improving access to information infrastructure and services. In addition, the Union represents the interests of its 51 Member States (African Countries) and 49 Associate Members (comprising fixed and mobile telecom operators), at global decision-making conferences and promotes initiatives aimed at integrating regional markets, attracting investment into ICT infrastructure, and building institutional and human capacity.
For more information, log into http://atuuat.africa/