[SatNews] The ITU World Radiocommunication Seminar 2010 (WRS-10) opened in Geneva to discuss international regulations on the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

Discussions during the week will focus as well on some key technological issues, such as future standards for mobile phones. WRS-10 will also provide participants with essential technical and regulatory background information to assist them to prepare for the upcoming ITU World Radiocommunication Conference to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, 23 January to 17 February 2012. During the coming week, WRS-10 will also focus on progress made in ITU-R Study Groups and provide the latest information on topical issues related to radio standardization and spectrum management. A highlight of these activities has been the recent decision of the ITU regarding the platform for the next generations of mobile broadband telecommunications, known as IMT-Advanced.

Following a detailed evaluation against stringent technical and operational criteria, ITU has determined that LTE-Advanced and WirelessMAN-Advanced should be accorded the official designation of IMT-Advanced. As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as 4G, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMAX, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed. The detailed specifications of the IMT-Advanced technologies will be provided in a new ITU-R Recommendation expected in early 2012.

WRS-10 will also focus on developments in 3D TV, digital broadcasting, aeronautical and maritime services, and the coordination of satellite networks. Workshops will be conducted in parallel on space and terrestrial services.