FAQ on ITU Satellite Filings

Satellite filings are made by the national regulatory authorities of ITU Member States on behalf of satellite operators. The authorities are often referred to as
“administrations.” Satellite operators can be government entities, private companies, or international organizations

Answer: There are several types of filings, including:

Advance Publication Information (API): Initial notice of a satellite network, providing basic details.
Coordination Request (CR/C): A more detailed filing that triggers the coordination process with other administrations that might be affected.
Notification Filing: The final filing where the satellite’s frequencies and orbital position are officially registered.

Filings of all types submitted to ITU can be publicly researched here:

Received but not yet processed: Information “As Received”
Processed and published: Published in BR IFIC
Published with most current details: ITU Space Explorer

The BR IFIC provides information on the frequency assignments/allotments submitted by administrations to the BR for updating the Master International Frequency Register and Plans. The BR IFIC, issued every two weeks, includes information on filings that have been received and processed. The BR IFIC is available for viewing through a paid subscription. [For more information.]

The process usually begins with an API or a Coordination Request, where affected parties negotiate to resolve any potential conflicts. Once coordination is complete, a Notification is submitted, and if all conditions are met, ITU will record the satellite network in the Master International Frequency Register (MIFR). This process is managed by ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) and can take anywhere from nine months to seven years for each filing.

Satellite filings are intended to facilitate the sustainable use of space resources. Given the increased interest and activity in satellite filings, the process can be complex and time-consuming, involving extensive coordination with countries and satellite operators. Complicated questions can arise over frequency allocations and orbital slots, especially in heavily used orbits like the geostationary orbit.

If a satellite operator does not file with ITU, its satellite system may operate without formal international recognition, leading to potential interference issues and a lack of legal protection against interference from other systems. Additionally, the satellite’s operation may be contested by other countries. In many countries, it is illegal to operate a satellite without a proper ITU filing. If a filing dispute occurs, it can be referred to ITU’s Radio
Regulations Board.

Coordination involves satellite operators and national regulatory authorities negotiating with other administrations and operators to ensure that a proposed satellite system will not cause harmful interference to existing systems.

There are specific deadlines for each stage of the filing process. Missing these
deadlines can result in losing priority or the ability to use certain frequencies or orbital slots.

ITU’s World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) approved a milestone-based process for non-GSO satellite constellations (also known as low Earth orbit or LEO satellites). Accordingly, such systems are now required to achieve a set percentage of deployment within specific timeframes.

Required deployment milestones:
10 per cent constellation deployment within two (2) years of initial filing,
50 per cent constellation deployment within five (5) years of initial filing,
100 per cent complete constellation deployment within seven (7) years of initial filing.
If a milestone is not met, it does not mean that all frequencies and orbits associated with the system are lost but that the filing needs to be reduced in order to reflect the revised targeted deployment.
The current procedure was put in place to avoid the “warehousing” of radio frequencies. Radio-frequency spectrum warehousing refers to the practice of reserving radio frequencies and associated orbital resources without putting them into use, thereby preventing other parties from using those resources. The frequencies assigned in response to a satellite filing must be brought into use within a specified timeframe — currently seven years from the date of receipt of the request or else their validity expires.

National administrations submit filings, negotiate on behalf of satellite operators, and ensure that the operations of the country’s satellite networks comply with international regulations.

The ITU Space Explorer provides access to ITU’s Space Networks Systems Database.
The database contains data on geostationary satellite filings, non-geostationary satellite
filings, Earth station filings, and Radio Astronomy filings that have been processed by ITU’s
Radiocommunication Bureau.

There is not a one-to-one relationship between the number of satellites in ITU filings and the number of physical satellites that will operate in space. The fact that filings have been submitted does not mean that all satellites will be launched since some projects may not be realized within the mandated seven-year period.

The number of filings is not a direct representation of the number of satellites that will be deployed and is constantly changing. The total number of satellite filings cannot be used to accurately estimate the number of satellites that are presently in service, or that could be in the future.

One physically deployed satellite may correspond to one or multiple “virtual” satellites submitted to ITU requesting the use of frequency assignments — with “virtual” indicating that there is not a one-to-one relationship between the number of physical satellites that will operate in space and the number of satellites in ITU filings.

ITU does not track physical satellites in orbit. Those with interest in this question
should consult the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) or non-ITU industry and
research sources.

The ITU Radio Regulations deal with frequency allocation by governing the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits for all radio services, systems and applications.

Harmful interference is defined as interference that endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or other safety services, or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service, including from satellites, operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations. Harmful interference can be either accidental or intentional. For more information on how cases of harmful interference are managed please
see FAQs on the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) and GNSS Interference.

Answer: Debris management itself falls outside ITU’s mandate. ITU does, however, help promote compliance with agreed guidelines from other UN agencies for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.
ITU’s work in this field supports the Space2030 Agenda of the United Nations. Along with keeping orbits sustainable, Space2030 aims to raise awareness about space science and technology to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The last ITU Radio Communication Assembly (RA23) adopted Res. ITU-R 74 which describes the process for informing ITU of deorbit and disposal strategies. This data collection aims to inform space actors about methods to prevent the accumulation of debris in outer space.
A dedicated website ‘Space Sustainability Gateway’ features the collected information, and will be continually updated by ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau.
Clarity about de-orbit and disposal will help to prevent an increase in space debris and ensure the long-term sustainability of satellite orbits around Earth that serve innumerable communications purposes