The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the State of Qatar have agreed to share data from national monitoring stations.
As part of this collaboration, Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) will utilize advanced satellite monitoring facilities to combat harmful radio frequency (RF) interference. Notably, in Q4 2024, Qatar inaugurated its Space Radio Monitoring Center (SRMC) to bolster its capacity in managing and regulating space radio frequencies.
The country's six Earth stations are equipped with the technical capabilities to monitor radio emissions that interfere with satellites in geostationary orbit 35,785 kilometers above the equator. These emissions affect satellites visible from Qatar’s territory and those in non-geostationary orbits operating in the Ku and Ka frequency bands.
“These enhanced space monitoring capabilities will continue to ensure the high reliability of satellite communications and other space services around the world,” noted Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, upon signing the latest cooperation agreement.
This supports the interference-free operation not only of current systems but also of innovative future systems.
The decisions adopted at the ITU’s World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) have paved the way for faster innovation and new communication services while safeguarding existing radio spectrum applications.
“This Memorandum of Understanding reflects Qatar’s ongoing commitment to ensuring an interference-free environment for space communications,” said Eng. Ahmad Abdulla Al Muslemani, President of CRA. “We are well-positioned to assist ITU in detecting and resolving harmful interference, which is crucial for maintaining the reliability of global telecommunications services.”
This partnership strengthens Qatar’s role in international spectrum management and reinforces our dedication to upholding ITU’s regulatory standards.
As satellite connectivity expands rapidly, the risk of interference grows, making international coordination vital for maintaining reliable space services and satellite communications. Aside from Qatar, the ITU has established similar agreements with Brazil, China, Germany, Oman, Pakistan, Korea, and Vietnam.
“The cooperation agreement with Qatar leverages ITU satellite monitoring capabilities at a time when spectrum sharing and satellite deployments are on the rise,” said the ITU’s Head of Space Strategy and Sustainability, Jorge Ciccorossi.
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