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Press Release: ITU experts review radio frequency aspects related to...

ITU experts review radio frequency aspects related to Internet of Things

Collaborative discussions on spectrum management issues related to the Internet of Things Deployment (IoT)




Geneva, 23 November 2016

Key industry players, regulators, operators, manufacturers and research institutions gathered yesterday to exchange best practices in Geneva at an ITU Workshop on Spectrum Management for Internet of Things Deployment (IoT).

The growing number of IoT applications may require enhanced transmission speed, device connectivity and energy efficiency to accommodate the significant amounts of data among a plethora of devices, ubiquitous sensors and/or actuators. New IoT applications are being implemented in different countries based on existing and/or new radio technologies as well as on different regulatory regimes (licenced or unlicensed operation).

"The global management of spectrum, in an impartial manner, remains one of the critical functions of ITU," said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. "This mandate will become even more significant as we prepare for an exponential growth in data and connected devices. Multi-stakeholder partnerships on ICTs are crucial in achieving the ambitious targets of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda."

ITU provides a unique forum for collaborative discussions on the technical, operational, economic and regulatory aspects of spectrum management between all stakeholders.  One of the key aspects of ITU's mission is to provide a neutral enabling environment for debate on and establishment of regulatory frameworks and rules for the future, particularly for radiocommunications.

"This workshop and future discussions in ITU on Spectrum Management for Internet of Things Deployment will help the understanding of how to provide best solutions for IoT applications in terms of spectrum needs, while taking into account factors such as long or short range communications, signal latency, regulatory flexibility, equipment costs and complexity, QoS, security, and battery lifetime. In addition to current ITU-R studies on short range devices and wireless access sensor networks, IoT requirements are expected to be addressed in IMT-2020 (5G) specifications which are currently under development in ITU-R Study Group 5 and should be finalized in 2019," said François Rancy, Director of ITU's Radiocommunication Bureau.

The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference of 2015 (WRC-15) decided to study urgently the technical and operational aspects of radio networks and systems, as well as the spectrum needed, including possible harmonized use of spectrum to support the implementation of narrowband and broadband machine-type communication infrastructures. In addition, the ITU Radiocommunication Assembly 2015 invited ITU-R to carry out studies on wireless systems and applications for the development of the Internet of Things.

 "ITU continues its unique role through dialogue between industry players and member administrations to create an enabling environment for IoT Deployment through efficient spectrum usage," said Sergey Pastukh, Chairman, ITU-R Study Group 1.

Added Martin Fenton, Chairman, ITU-R Study Group 5: "Work in ITU on the development of IMT-2020 is a key enabler for the development of IoT and machine type communications, contributing to the successful delivery of this fast growing communications sector."