ITU-R Study Group 6 Progress Report 2020–2021

 Yukihiro Nishida, Paul Gardiner, Andy Quested, Amir Nafez  

• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) for information and communication technologies. Its primary roles are to allocate global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to information communication technologies (ICTs) to underserved communities worldwide.

5G Media Action Group (5G-MAG): Bridging Media and 5G

Jordi Joan Gimenez

• The evolution in connectivity, particularly, the introduction of the fifth-generation technology standard for mobile telecommunications (5G), worldwide is opening doors for new applications, use cases, and business opportunities in many industries. 5G comes with improved technical capabilities targeting enhanced data rates, lower latencies, or high connection densities, among others. However, it is not just a new air interface technology, such as New Radio (NR). It comes as part of a complete ecosystem complemented by computing capabilities integral to networks, highly softwarized functions, new ways of traffic management and isolation together with an increasing disaggregation between processes, equipment, network operators, service providers, and spectrum license holders. While previous mobile technologies established a closed solution, 5G introduces a paradigm shift with respect to industry engagement.

SMPTE Global Inclusion Committee Update

Renard T. Jenkins, Sue Black, Nicki Fisher, Polly Hickling and Alicia Pritchett

• In May 2020, the world collectively reacted to the murder of Mr. George Floyd Jr. Organizations began to recognize the need for change in regard to equity and inclusion, racial injustice, and the revelations associated with the “Me Too” movement. SMPTE, like many organizations, released a statement in support of change. However, SMPTE and the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) believed that more could be done. These two industry organizations decided to band together not only to speak about change but to work toward effecting change while seeking to understand and create truly inclusive environments where all are welcomed.