JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The first frequency planning and coordination meeting organized by the International Telecommunication Union and the African Telecommunication Union to help African countries strengthen their FM radio broadcasting services took place virtually, Feb. 15–19.
The reunion was part of the joint GE84 Plan optimization project for Africa, which aims to identify new frequencies for analog FM sound broadcasting in the 87.5–108 MHz (FM band).
This plan launched in July 2019 in the country as a joint ITU-ATU project to manage growing demand for FM stations, as well as to prepare African countries for the introduction of digital radio.
Vital Medium
“Radio is a low-cost medium, well-suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people. It is especially fundamental in times of disaster and emergencies,” stated ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.
