December 12, 2007

In its capacity as a sector member of the International Teleccomunication Union (ITU), the TRA participated in the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC 07) from October 22 to November 16. The WRC is convened every four years, giving all member states the opportunity to play a major role in voting on new recommendations and making key decisions that impact the future of the industry.

This Conference, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, is considered the most significant of those organized by the ITU. Its objective is to revise Radio Regulations and to discuss issues related to frequencies. Its agenda, established by the 2004 session of the ITU Council, contained about 30 items, concerning almost all terrestrial and space radio services, including aeronautical systems, satellite services, mobile communications, digital broadcasting and maritime distress and safety signals.

Lebanon’s delegation was represented by Dr Kamal Shehadi (TRA Chairman and CEO), Dr Maurice Ghazal (representative of the Ministry of Telecommunications), Dr Imad Hoballah (TRA board member) and TRA spectrum experts Mohammed Ayoub, Jinane Karam and Raif Ouaidate. The TRA contributed to the event by preparing studies on agenda items and voting on all the motions.

This conference set the agenda for the next WRC to be convened in 2011. Prior to this event, the TRA will be participating in various working and study groups in order to play a greater role in the next conference.

“The conference is an important milestone for radio communications,” said Dr Kamal Shehadi. “Major decisions and resolutions were adopted at this event. The WRC will have a major impact on Lebanon’s National Frequency Plan and TRA’s future regulations that would establish better spectrum coordination between Lebanon and neighboring Arab countries.”