Results from International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-12)

1. Dates, etc.

Dates: January 16 to 20, 2012

Venue: International Conference Hall – Geneva, Switzerland

Participants: Five-hundred and twenty-six participants from information and communications-related ministries and government offices, telecommunications businesses and manufacturers, etc. in 102 countries. Twenty-eight participants from Japan, including participants from Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), telecommunications businesses, etc.

2. Main results

1. Approval of recommendations submitted by Study Groups (SG)

Three new recommendations and one revised recommendation were approved, and one revised recommendation was referred back to the Study Groups. A summary of these recommendations is provided below.

　(1) New recommendation concerning detailed wireless interfaces for 4G mobile communications systems (IMT-Advanced)

With regards to a new recommendation establishing wireless interfaces for 4G mobile communications systems implementing 1Gbps high-speed communication, two systems were adopted: “LTE-Advanced” as the basic system for mobile phones, and “WirelessMAN-Advanced” as the basic system for wireless LAN.

　(2) Revised recommendation concerning abolition of adjustments for “leap seconds”

With regards to a revised recommendation concerning abolition of adjustments for “leap seconds”,  there were three differing views expressed – agreement, objection, and a request for further information – and as a result of deliberation, the revised recommendation proposal will be referred back to SG7 (which is responsible for science work) for consideration, and it will also be suggested at the World Radio Conference (WRC) to be held from January 23 that this proposal be considered again at future WRC.

2. Approval of resolutions submitted by Study Groups (SG)

Six new resolutions were approved. The main resolutions are as follows.

　(1) New resolution concerning research towards introduction of cognitive wireless systems

In order to deal with the scarcity of frequencies being caused by increasing needs for utilization of radio waves, a new resolution was approved to promote future research at the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R) concerning technical requirements, etc. of cognitive wireless systems* - a form of technology that enables effective utilization of radio waves.

*Cognitive wireless systems: Technology conducting communications whereby terminals and base stations, etc. check the radio wave circumstances of their surroundings and change frequencies/communication systems to suit these circumstances.

　(2) New resolution concerning electricity consumption reductions for mobile communications devices to reduce greenhouse gases

A new resolution demanding consideration of an energy conservation plan for wireless systems/applications was approved in order to contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by wireless communications businesses.

3. Approval of research task proposals for next term of Study Groups

　There were 223 research tasks approved for each SG in the next term of Study Groups (2012 to 2015). The main research tasks are as follows.

　(1) Research tasks relating to super-high definition

With regards to super-detailed images (super-high definition – a technology being advanced by Japan) outperforming high definition broadcasting (current HDTV), there was continued approval of research tasks covering implementation methods for higher realism than high definition television; harmony with various other applications; and video signal formats as a foundation for the production, transmission and display of images.

　(2) Research tasks concerning effects of wireless/wired data communications from power grid management systems on existing wireless communications

There was continued approval of research tasks concerning the characteristics of wireless technology and equipment used in power grid management systems (smart grids) as well as effects of these systems on existing wireless communications, etc.

4. Appointment of SG Chairpersons/Vice-Chairpersons

The following three members from Japan were recommended and appointed as Chairpersons/Vice-Chairpersons for the next term of the Study Groups.

・　SG5 (terrestrial work) Chairperson: Akira Hashimoto (NTT DoCoMo)

・　SG4 (satellite work) Vice-Chairperson: Nobuyuki Kawai (KDDI)

・　SG6 (broadcasting work) Vice-Chairperson: Yukihiro Nishida (NHK)

3. Schedule

　Based on these results, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) will endeavor to strengthen the growth and international competitiveness of Japanese wireless communications systems and will continue to make positive contributions to the ITU so as to ensure that international standardization activities can be smoothly conducted.

Related reports and documents

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to hold Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-12) and World Radio Conference (WRC-12) (January 13, 2012)