INTRODUCTION TO THE RARC '83 PLAN FOR DBS SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

The 1983 Regional Administrative Radio Conference (RARC '83), sponsored by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), adopted a plan that assigns to each country in ITU Region 2 (the western hemisphere) the frequencies and orbital positions it can use for direct broadcasting satellite (DBS) systems in the 12. 2-12. 7 GHz band. This paper describes the RARC '83 Plan and compares some of its features to those of the WARC '77 Plan. The reference system parameters used for planning at RARC '83 and WARC '77 are summarized and discussed briefly. The RARC '83 Plan itself is described in terms of the satellite coverage areas; the channelization of the band; and the specific orbital position, frequency, and polarization assignments provided. Further details about the assignments in the plan and an assessment of their impact on the development of DBS systems in Region 2 are also included.