The International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
The International Telecommunications Union was founded in 1865 with the aim of standardising telegraph communications between different countries. The ITU is part of the United Nations (UN or UNO) and has its headquarters in Geneva.
ITU rules are set out in the RR (Radio Regulations). That document has been drafted during the various WARCs (World Administrative Radio Conferences).
The RR define the different categories of spectrum users: military, civilian users, broadcasting services, space applications, maritime service and amateur radio service. The RR define the distribution of frequency spectrum among all those services. The RR also define a number of procedures and other administrative rules.

What is the utility of the ITU for radio amateurs?
The RR contains a number of articles concerning the amateur radio service. Briefly:
- The 1st article gives the definition of the radio amateur service "a radio communication service whose purpose is the individual study, communication and technical research by radio amateurs, i.e. by persons authorised to do so and interested only by technology and this in a personal capacity without any profit motivation". It also defines the satellite radio amateur service: "a telecommunications service using stations deployed in satellites, with the same purpose as the radio amateur service".
- Article 24 covers authorisations.
- Article 32 gives certain rules of the radio amateur service in detail including:
- The prohibition to make communications with a country that has declared a ban on amateur radio communications.
- The obligation to use an intelligible language or code, subject only to technical trials or communications without much importance that do not require the use of public telecommunications means.
- The prohibition to send messages for third parties, except if authorised by the government.
- The need to prove a sufficient technical qualification.
- The need for the PTT administration to set a maximum power limit.
- The need to transmit on a stable frequency, with a signal sufficiently free of unwanted radiations.
- The need to make oneself known with a call sign.
A radio communication service whose purpose is the individual study, communication and technical research by radio amateurs, i.e. by persons authorised to do so and interested only by technology and this in a personal capacity without any profit motivation.
A telecommunications service using stations deployed in satellites, with the same purpose as the radio amateur service.
In practically all countries, the national regulatory authorities (in our case it is BIPT) have endorsed the ITU's recommendations. In Belgium, the Minister for Telecommunications, on the advice of BIPT, uses the ITU recommendations as the basis of the regulations for the radio amateur service. The Minister for Telecommunications is of course free to impose additional requirements and practical guidelines.
Every two years or so, the ITU organises a WRC (World Radio Conference), where delegates from national governments discuss submitted proposals for telecommunications regulations over several weeks. Amateur radio service is also discussed at this event.
The last World Radiocommunications conferences took place in 2019 (Egypt), in 2015 (Geneva) and in 2012 (Geneva). The so-called Final Acts of the various conferences are available on the Internet. Some searching shows what has changed for radio amateurs.
The last World Radiocommunications conferences took place in 2019 (Egypt), in 2015 (Geneva) and in 2012 (Geneva). The so-called Final Acts of the various conferences are available on the Internet. Some searching shows what has changed for radio amateurs.
The next conference (WRC23) is scheduled to take place in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).