WRC15 allots frequency to track flights

ITRealms:

 

The 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC15) in Geneva has allotted the frequency band 1087.7-1092.3 MHz to aeronautical mobile-satellite service (Earth-to-space), for global flight tracking in civil aviation ITRealms reports.

 The band is meant for reception by space stations of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) emissions from aircraft transmitters. The frequency band is currently being utilized for the transmission of ADS-B signals from aircraft to terrestrial stations within line-of-sight. This extends ADS-B signals beyond line-of-sight to facilitate reporting the position of aircraft equipped with ADS-B anywhere in the world, including oceanic, polar and other remote areas ITRealms gathered.

The ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao said, “In reaching this agreement at WRC-15, ITU has responded in record time to the expectations of the global community on the major issue concerning global flight tracking. ITU will continue to make every effort to improve flight tracking for civil aviation.”

“The allocation of frequencies for reception of ADS-B signals from aircraft by space stations will enable real-time tracking of aircraft anywhere in the world,” said the Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, François Rancy, “We will continue to work with ICAO and other international organizations to enhance safety in the skies.”

WRC-15 recognized that as the standards and recommended practices (SARP) for systems enabling position determination and tracking of aircraft are developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the performance criteria for satellite reception of ADS-B signals will also need to be addressed by ICAO.

This agreement, ITRealms learnt, follows the disappearance and tragic loss of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 in March 2014 with 239 people on board, which spurred worldwide discussions on global flight tracking and the need for coordinated action by ITU and other relevant organizations.

In its special meeting on global flight tracking, which took place in Montréal, May 12 to 13, 2014, ICAO encouraged ITU to take urgent action to provide the necessary spectrum allocations for satellites to support emerging aviation needs. In October 2014, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference meeting in Busan, Republic of Korea, instructed WRC-15 to consider global flight tracking in its agenda, ITRealms reports also.

Cyriacus Nnaji, GEE

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WRC elects Nigerian Daudu as chairman, commendation galore

ITRealms:

 

The election of Nigerian, Engr. Festus Daudu as Chairman 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in Geneva, Switzerland has continued to attracted commendations from across the globe, ITRealms reports.

A member Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Daudu’selection which many perceived asgreat achievement for Nigeria, would see him superintend over 3,800 delegates from 162 member states and many international organisations, including the Commonwealth Telecommunications  Organisation (CTO), that are taking part in the WRC which starts today.

ITRealms gathered that the election of Daudu, who is Director, Spectrum Management at the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology (FMCT) is the first time for an African to be elected to this position in 150 years history of the Geneva-based International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

 Among those that have expressed their overwhelming joy atDaudu’s election, ITRealms gathered, include the Secretary-General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, Shola Taylor who extended his congratulatory message to the Government of Nigeria,said:

“I am delighted at the election of a Commonwealth candidate to chair this important Conference, and having known EngrDaudu for many years, I have full confidence in his ability to steer the Conference successfully, especially when considering his calm and professional disposition. This is a pride to Nigeria, Africa and the Commonwealth,” Taylor added.

The Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Houlin Zhao, also shared his satisfaction at EngrDaudu’s election.“Let me congratulate Festus Daudu for his nomination as chairman of WRC-15, as well as the vice-chairmen. MrDaudu, I have every confidence in your abilities to ensure a smooth and efficient running of the conference over the four coming weeks.”

“I am confident that Festus Daudu will lead us successfully at this Conference,” added Director of the ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau, Francois Rancy.

The Commonwealth countries will be meeting once a week during the Conference to continue to coordinate the views of Commonwealth countries during the Conference. All leaders of the 6 regional groups – the Arab Group, CITEL, APT, ATU, RCC and CEPT all expressed individually their congratulations and confidence in Engr. Daudu to lead the Conference to a successful end.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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Pix: Engr. Festus Daudu