Security Risks and Spectrum Battles in Space Expected at World Radiocommunication Conference
ITU's choice to hold the conference in Shanghai has raised some fears about security.
WASHINGTON, October 4, 2025 – American telecommunications and satellite industry leaders are raising concerns about security risks and Chinese influence as they prepare for a pivotal global spectrum conference set to take place in Shanghai in 2027.
The World Radiocommunication Conference, held every four years by the International Telecommunication Union, will determine how radio spectrum is allocated globally. But the choice of Shanghai as host city has sparked worries about espionage, restricted participation and China's aggressive positioning on spectrum policy.
"There are definitely a lot of concerns," said Madeleine Chang, Director of Policy at the Satellite Industry Association during a Broadband Breakfast Live Online panel discussion on October 1. "Communication, especially with classified information, will be difficult to find those safe spaces where you can discuss like hey this is what our hardware looks like, this is our intellectual property."
Highlights Reel:
Broadband Breakfast
Member discussion