The International Telecommunication Union has opened media registration for its 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar, scheduled for November 9-27, 2026. The conference will determine ITU leadership and establish global strategic policies for digital technologies, satellite communications, and artificial intelligence through 2031.
The decisions made at PP-26 will dictate the regulatory environment for the next five years, specifically regarding the radio-frequency spectrum essential for 5G/6G delivery and satellite-based broadband. As streaming platforms increasingly rely on diverse delivery architectures, the ITU's strategic plan for 2028-2031 will define the technical standards and interoperability requirements for emerging AI-driven content delivery networks. The co-location with GSMA's Mobile World Congress 2026 signals a tightening alignment between telecommunications policy and mobile hardware ecosystems. Watch for the announcement of official candidates for the Radio Regulations Board, as these individuals will oversee the spectrum allocations critical to future wireless video transmission.
The International Telecommunication Union's decision to co-locate PP-26 with GSMA's Mobile World Congress represents a first for both organizations. GSMA and ITU announced on 27 August 2026 that MWC26 Doha would run 8-10 November at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, directly adjacent to PP-26 sessions, creating what both bodies described as the broadest gathering of digital leaders either event has hosted. GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath framed the arrangement as a unique moment for regulators, ministers, operators, and technology leaders to convene under one roof during the same month.
The ITU confirmed that MWC26 Doha's exhibition floor will sit adjacent to PP-26, enabling delegates to experience advanced connectivity and digital infrastructure demonstrations firsthand. The inaugural MWC Doha in 2025 convened 60 delegations from 49 countries and 11 intergovernmental organizations, drawing over 9,000 attendees from 110 countries and territories with nearly 300 speakers and more than 250 exhibitors. The GSMA Ministerial Programme will return to shape digital governance and investment priorities, with both events expected to exceed those figures.
PP-26 will elect ITU's five top leadership positions, including the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Directors of the Radiocommunication, Telecommunication Standardization, and Telecommunication Development Bureaux, along with 48 Member States for the ITU Council and members of the Radio Regulations Board for 2027-2030 terms. The conference will also approve ITU's strategic and financial plans for 2028-2031, covering satellite communications, artificial intelligence governance, and digital inclusion. Qatar's Communications Regulatory Authority is hosting the event on behalf of the State of Qatar, with around 3,000 participants expected from ITU's 194 Member States.
The ITU has opened media registration for its 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar. This quadrennial summit brings together 194 Member States to finalize strategic plans for 2028-2031. The event is critical as it establishes global regulatory standards for artificial intelligence, satellite communications, and radio-frequency spectrum management for the next five years.
The PP-26 conference is scheduled for November 2026 in Doha, Qatar, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
Co-locating the events allows regulators, ministers, and technology leaders to convene simultaneously, signaling a tighter alignment between telecommunications policy and mobile hardware ecosystems.
The conference will elect five top ITU leadership positions, including the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and three Bureau Directors, alongside members of the ITU Council and the Radio Regulations Board.
The strategic and financial plans for 2028-2031 will cover frameworks for artificial intelligence governance, satellite communications, and digital inclusion.
Add StreamingMeme as a preferred source on Google to see more of our streaming news at the top of your Search results.
Add as preferred source