FAQ on MIFR and BR IFIC

The MIFR is the official international record maintained by the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) of all frequency assignments and orbital characteristics notified by administrations, in accordance with RR Article 11 of the Radio Regulations (RR).
These assignments may relate to terrestrial or space services and are subject to regulatory examination before being recorded.

International Recognition: Any frequency assignment recorded in the Master Register with a favourable finding under RR No.11.31 shall have the right to international recognition under RR No.8.3. For such an assignment, this right means that other administrations shall take it into account when making their own assignments, in order to avoid harmful interference. In addition, frequency assignments in frequency bands subject to coordination or to a plan shall have a status derived from the application of the procedures relating to the coordination or associated with the plan.
Legal Standing: The rights and obligations of administrations regarding frequency use are derived from the MIFR or from conformity with a relevant Plan.
Spectrum Efficiency: It ensures efficient, equitable and interference-free use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

Only ITU Member State administrations can notify frequency assignments and related data for registration.

The database containing the MIFR is distributed with each BR IFIC and is contained in the SRSxxxx.mdb file.
Access to this information was previously provided through the ITU’s Space Network Systems (SNS) platform which has been replaced by the ITU Space Explorer.
You can use the BR Software, like SpaceCap and Gims, and the Terrestrial Frequency Management (TFM) tools, available to administrations and authorized users via the ITU website, to access the SRSxxxx.mdb file.
Administrations and authorized users can make use of BR software tools such as SpaceCap and GIMS for space services, available at: https://www.itu.int/ITU-R/go/space-software/en ; as well as the Terrestrial Frequency Management (TFM) tools for terrestrial services, available at: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/terrestrial/Pages/Software-Tools-and-Databases.aspx
TheITU Space Explorer is a web-based platform developed by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, providing user-friendly access to data on all geostationary and non-geostationary satellite filings, Earth station filings, and Radio Astronomy station filings registered with the ITU, available at: https://www.itu.int/itu-r/space/apps/public/spaceexplorer/networks-explorer
For terrestrial services, the TFM tools provide access to the terrestrial section of the BR IFIC, including frequency assignments, coordination data, and MIFR records. They support administrations in preparing, submitting, and analyzing terrestrial frequency notices in accordance with the Radio Regulations.

The BR International Frequency Information Circular (BR IFIC) is a periodical publication issued by the BR. It provides information on the frequency assignments and allotments submitted by administrations to the BR for recording in the Master International Frequency Register and Plans.
Since 1 January 2000, the International Frequency Information Circular (BR IFIC) replaces the Weekly Circulars (WIC) and the Special Sections in paper and microfiche formats, consequent to the decisions of the WRC-97 by Resolution 30.
Due to the large volume of the data, it is published in two parts according to services, namely Terrestrial Services and Space Services.

BR IFIC provides information on the frequency assignments and allotments submitted by administrations to the BR for recording in the Master International Frequency Register and Plans.
It contains details on frequency assignments, orbital characteristics, relevant technical parameters, modifications, suppression notices, regulatory updates, and other information relevant to coordination and notification.

Since 2014, the BR IFIC has been provided in ISO format free of charge to administrations (one free online download account for each Member State) and all subscribers, in parallel to a set of DVDs delivered every fortnight.
As of 2024, it’s distributed primarily via:
BR IFIC Online Application: Secure web-based access for browsing and downloading publications and databases.
ISO file distribution: Available from the ITU electronic Bookshop: http://www.itu.int/pub/R-SP-LN/en for automated processing and archival.
DVD-ROM: Still available upon request through postal mail, though largely phased out.
The online application provides access to the BR IFIC at the following webpage: https://www.itu.int/itu-r-brific-hub

Following the successful implementation of the web-based distribution of ISO file and online application for the BR IFIC, and the growing obsolescence of the DVD-ROM medium as a means of distribution of content, the Bureau would like to inform that, from 1st January 2025, the main means of distribution of the BR IFIC will be the web-based distribution of the ISO file and the BR IFIC Online.
The physical distribution of the BR IFIC on DVD-ROM will be discontinued for all administrations and subscribers, except for those who explicitly request to continue receiving it in this format.
Administrations and subscribers who wish to continue receiving the BR IFIC on DVD-ROM are invited to contact the ITU Sales division:
telephone +41 22 730 6141
fax +41 22 730 5194
e-mail: sales@itu.int

For terrestrial services:  weekly.
For space services:  every two weeks.

The Preface is a reference document prepared by the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) to assist administrations and users in consulting and interpreting the publications of the Bureau.

For space services:
The Preface explains the contents and layout of the space services section of the International Frequency Information Circular (BR IFIC).
It serves as a guide when consulting the Space Master International Frequency Register (MIFR), also known as the Master Register, whether provided in electronic form (e.g. srs_xxxx.mdb), as IFIC data files (e.g. ificxxxx.mdb), or through other BR documents.
It is published and regularly updated every two weeks on the BR IFIC DVD-ROM and is also available on the BR Space Services Department website: Preface for Space Services.
For terrestrial services:
The Preface to the BR IFIC (Terrestrial Services) explains the meanings of the abbreviations, symbols and coded remarks used in the BR IFIC.
It is updated on a weekly basis to reflect regulatory and procedural changes by the Bureau.
The Preface is available in PDF format in all six official ITU languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish).
It is published with each issue of the BR IFIC (Terrestrial Services) and can also be accessed on the ITU website under the title Preface (المقدمة, 前言, Pre​face, Pré​face, ​Предисловие, Prefacio​​).

Following a decision of the ITU Council in 2024, unlimited online access to the BR IFIC is now available to all Member State administrations.
Free access to the BR IFIC Online and the web-based distribution of ISO files is granted to all TIES accounts of Member State administrations.
For users who are not from Member State administrations and who have a paid subscription to access the BR IFIC, a designated user for each subscription must be nominated, if that has not already been done, by contacting the ITU Sales division. This designated user will be granted access to the BR IFIC Online application and the web-based distribution of the ISO file.
For any additional user accounts, or for other users wishing to purchase a single copy of the BR IFIC, or to purchase the BR IFIC as an annual subscription, kindly contact the ITU Sales division for the pricing and the necessary registration form.
telephone +41 22 730 6141
fax +41 22 730 5194
e-mail: sales@itu.int

Yes, BR IFIC publications are publicly available, but submission rights remain with administrations.
For further details, please refer to the answer above under “What is the current user access policy for BR IFIC Online?”

Not necessarily.
Publication in the BR IFIC is part of the advance publication, coordination, and notification process.
An assignment will be entered into the MIFR only once a notification submission has been received under Article 11, the Bureau has completed its review and examination, and all regulatory and technical requirements have been met.

BR IFIC: a circular that publishes and disseminates special sections concerning various procedures of the RR as well as new or modified frequency information issued by the Bureau.
MIFR: the official register granting international recognition and protection to notified frequency assignments.