Radio astronomy and the radio regulations

This article gives a brief introduction to the status of radio astronomy within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the body which coordinates global telecommunications. Radio astronomy entered the ITU arena in 1959 as a relative latecomer. By its nature, radio astronomy does not fit into the ITU system very well: regulators are hoping to facilitate commercial development of the radio spectrum, whereas astronomers are hoping to retain quiet frequency bands through which to study the Universe at ever higher sensitivity. Nevertheless there are major long-term goals which radio astronomers can realistically hope to achieve via the ITU in the years ahead, including more favourable frequency allocations and better regulatory protection. The prospects for radio astronomy at the forthcoming World Radio Conference WRC-2000 are reviewed. It is vital that radio astronomers participate in force at this WRC.