WARC-ORB(1) and the international regulation of satellite communications

A World Administrative Radio Conference has been convened by the International Telecommunication Union to resolve major policy issues in the international regulation of the use of the geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) for radio services. The first session, WARC-ORB(1), met in Geneva in August/September 1985. Major changes were agreed for the regulation of the fixed satellite service, the main purposes of which are to guarantee access for all ITU member nations to the GSO in certain frequency bands and to stimulate the efficiency of use of other bands. Orbit-frequency allotment plans for the bands to which access is guaranteed are to be drawn up at the second session of the conference in 1988. In addition, WARC-ORB(1) agreed a number of technical parameters for feeder links to broadcasting satellites operating under plans drawn up for Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia by the WARC in 1977. Frequency plans for these feeders are also to be drawn up at the second session. The frequency plans for satellite broadcasting for the Americas drawn up by a regional conference in 1983 were approved and incorporated into the ITU Radio Regulations. Significant progress was also made in various other long-term problems of the broadcasting satellite service.