The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) allocates global radio spectrum and associated satellite orbits, ensuring the rational, equitable, efficient, and economical use of those limited natural resources, in conformity with the provisions of the Radio Regulations, a binding international treaty. ITU coordinates efforts to prevent and eliminate harmful interference to radiocommunication services and carries out studies and adopts recommendations on radiocommunication matters related to spectrum monitoring, emergency radiocommunications for public protection and disaster relief, radio astronomy supporting for example climate change.
The next Worlds Radiocommunication Conference in 2023 (WRC-23) will update the Radio Regulations on agenda items related to space services include use of Earth Stations in Motions, remote sensing and inter-satellite links.
The Space Department of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) as secretariat of the ITU-R is responsible for coordination and recording procedures for space systems and earth stations in conformity with the Radio Regulations. The BR maintains the Master International Frequency Register containing the satellite filings.
ITU has also capacity building and assistance activity to Member States and Sector Members. The BR organises Regional and World Radiocommunication Seminars. The Standardisation Bureau leads the IA for good programme including part dedicated to space issues.
The Plenipotentiary Conference in 2022 adopted two new Resolutions about ITU's role in the implementation of the "Space 2030" agenda and about sustainability of radio spectrum and associated satellite orbit resources used by space services.
In November 2019, the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) adopted Resolution 559, to give priority in the newly opened GSO arcs to eligible administrations to replace their severely degraded frequency assignments in ITU Regions 1 and 3 Broadcasting Satellite Service (BSS) Plan. Forty‑five Administrations, mainly from the African region, out of the 55 countries identified by the Bureau, had submitted their requests to improve the capacity in their national BSS Plans. The process of coordinating the possible new Plans assignments is progressing and will continue until the next WRC-23 in November 2023 which can endorse modifications to the BSS Plan in ITU Regions 1 and 3 to improve the capacity of the future use of the satellite spectrum reserved for requesting countries.