The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the United Nations agency overseeing Global communications, is gearing up for the Development of the Next Generation of Technology, 6G, by 2030.
Following the Conclusion of its Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) in Dubai over the weekend, the ITU, of which Nigeria is a member, has Outlined the Future direction of Radiocommunication systems across its Members and Countries.
The Assembly has adopted a Resolution that will guide the Development of standards and radio Interface Technologies for 6G in International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems.
Among the outcomes, RA-23 has also endorsed a Resolution on Gender Equality, aiming to strengthen, accelerate, and broaden the active Involvement of Women in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).
ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, stated, “The work of the Radiocommunication Assembly helps us shape how we live together in our Interconnected World.
The outcomes of this meeting ensure a promising future for ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector and, through the Groundbreaking resolution on Gender Equality, for Women in the radiocommunications field.”
“The Assembly agreed on ‘IMT-2030’ as the Technical reference for 6G of International Mobile Telecommunications; a revision of ITU-R Resolution 65, paving the way for Studies on the Compatibility of current regulations with potential 6G IMT Radio Interface Technologies for 2030 and beyond.
Additionally, the assembly adopted the new Recommendation ITU-R M. 2160 on the ‘IMT-2030 Framework,’ laying the foundation for the development of IMT-2030.
The next phase will involve defining relevant requirements and evaluation criteria for potential Radio Interface Technologies (RIT) and adopting a new resolution on the use of IMT Technologies for fixed wireless Broadband.
Concerning the promotion of Gender Equality, the adoption of a Gender resolution was spurred by the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference’s ‘Declaration on Promoting Gender Equality, Equity, and Parity in the ITU Radio Communication Sector.’
The resolution urges the ITU Radiocommunication Sector to Intensify efforts to ensure that its Policies, work programs, information dissemination activities, publications, study groups, seminars, courses, assemblies, and conferences reflect a commitment to Gender EQUALITY and the Empowerment of Women.
With Australia’s Carol Wilson as the first Woman to Chair an ITU Radiocommunication Assembly, the resolution further calls on ITU Member States to support the Inclusion of Women in all aspects and levels of ITU R activities and undertake specific actions to promote and Increase the Interest of, and opportunities for, Women and Girls in STEM fields, particularly in Electrical engineering and Computer Sciencecience.”
