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TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

FROM IMT-2020 TO BEYOND

Interview with Sergio Buonomo,
Chief, ITU-R Study Groups Department

We invited Sergio Buonomo to answer a few questions, intended to help the 3GPP
readership to better understand how our own specifications for 5G are connected to
the ITU’s IMT-2020 process.

Highlights: Could you sum up the significance of the IMT process The ITU Radio Regulations 2020
and what it means to conform to it?
SB: The ITU-R is responsible for the Radio Regulations, with
the latest set being the 2020 version (Image right), which is the
essential regulatory document for the service allocation of the
frequency bands (8.3 kHz - 275 GHz Range). They define the
spectrum allocation for all radiocommunication services in the
three ITU-R Regions, including the allocation for the mobile
service. Also, there are important “footnotes” in there; defining the
identification of IMT in frequency bands for specific countries.
A good starting point for a better understanding of the
development of International Mobile Telecommunications-2020
(IMT-2020) would be ‘Resolution ITU-R 65’ on the “Principles for
the process for future development of IMT for 2020 and beyond”.
It outlines the essential criteria and principles that are used in the
process. The IMT track record is impressive over a number of years,
with three generations of IMT technology development for “IMT-
2000” (related to 3G), “IMT-Advanced” (related to 4G) and now for
“IMT-2020” (related to 5G).
Highlights: Can you explain the separate identities of the two
standards areas, the difference between 3GPP specification work
The IMT process consists of 4 main phases: and the IMT process?

• “ITU-R Vision” and definitions (described in ITU-R SB: It should be noted that the ITU-R Recommendation and IMT-
Recommendations). 2020 standards accommodate a range of technical terrestrial radio
interface solutions that have satisfied the IMT process and is not

• Minimum requirements and evaluation criteria (described in just aligned to the 3GPP technologies.
ITU-R Reports).
The “ITU-R Vision”, set out for each IMT process, states what is
• Invitation for proposals, evaluation, and consensus building. needed to be accomplished. The standardisation body must define

• Specification, approval, and implementation (described in ITU-R and develop a fitting functional technology. In 3GPP’s case, the
Reports & Recommendation and other documents). technology is described in technical specifications, which define
a globally applicable industry “standard”, via your Organizational
Partner’s transposition of them into accredited, regional or
One of the key features of the IMT process is that it ensures national standards.
a proper and neutral handling of the various radio interface Then, there follows an evaluation process for the IMT candidate
technology candidates. When a specific radio interface technology technology. This is done in a collaborative process between ITU
(RIT), or a set of radio interface technologies (SRIT), is approved Member States, equipment manufacturers, network operators,
to be part of a particular IMT family (IMT-2000, IMT-Advanced, standards development organizations (SDOs) and the academic
IMT-2020), the technology may be deployed in the bands identified community. This is a unique global framework, coordinated by
for IMT or in bands within ITU-R Radio Regulations, under national ITU-R, for discussion and agreement on the capabilities of the new
and regional regulatory policies. radio candidate technologies.

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