The European Space Agency (ESA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), through a Joint Statement signed at Mobile World Congress 2025, in Barcelona, Spain, agreed to cooperate and collaborate in fostering a more sustainable and responsible use of radio spectrum resources for satellite systems.
With more satellites being launched into orbit than ever before, ensuring spectrum availability and free from interferences is crucial to safeguarding current and future generations of space-based services and the broader digital economy. In this context, ESA and ITU recognise that spectrum sustainability is a core issue for space-based activities, and it is a must to ensure long-term access and operations, which are essential to guarantee social and economic prosperity.
“Promoting the responsible use of spectrum and preserving it from interferences is key to ensure the viability of our operators and ultimately the service delivered to their customers,” said Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications. "Together with ITU, we will promote the importance of ensuring the sustainability of this limited and valuable resource and will collaborate towards establishing good practices for its responsible use for the benefit of society and businesses."
“Innovation and Regulations are key to facilitate and preserve access to spectrum-orbit resources free from harmful interference. This ESA-ITU agreement is the first step towards a series of joint efforts to ensure sustainability of space radiocommunications systems," said Mr. Mario Maniewicz, Director of ITU Radiocommunications Bureau, after signing the agreement.
