Technical representation

Regulation Organizationshttps://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=55129

Other Organizationshttps://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=55130

Regulation Organizations

European Regulators Group (ERG)

The ERG, established by Commission Decision no. 2002/627/EC, worked closely with the Commission in drafting legislative proposals aimed at revising the regulatory framework and also in the construction of a new institutional model, and issued a statement on the progress of the Community legal framework for electronic communications.

There was submission to public consultation of a document on the regulatory approach to next generation networks and a proposal for a Common Position on the geographic aspects of market analysis. Following these consultations, approval was given to a Joint Declaration on next generation networks and a response to the draft Recommendation on regulated access to next generation networks. Approval was also given to a Common position and a report was published on the geographic aspects of market analysis.

Additionally, note should be made of the publication of a report on the data collection process resulting from the application of the regulation of roaming, participation in the public consultation on international roaming, the response to the European Commission's public consultation on termination rates, the adoption of an action plan to implement the provisions of the Common Position on symmetry in termination rates, the publication of a report on the regulatory accounting systems used by members of the ERG in 2008 and another on the methodology for the comparison of retail prices for broadband services and approval, at the end of the year, of a statement on the development of access to next generation networks.

As a result of the Plenary held in Vilnius in May, the Presidencies of the ERG and the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) agreed on the development of a plan for future cooperation that would be materialized through the creation of a joint working group to examine issues of spectrum regulation, particularly the relationship between competition and the new spectrum management. The first meeting of this group took place in Gothenburg, where the subjects dealt with included transition, market definition, and analysis of dominant position, in the context of "spectrum trading".

Independent Regulators Group (IRG)

The IRG (Independent Regulators Group) is a group with participation of the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) of the communications sector of the 27 Member States of the European Union, as well as countries of the European Economic Area (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and the EU candidate countries (Turkey, Croatia and Macedonia). ICP-ANACOM was present at all sessions and preparatory meetings, participating in an operational intermediary group with representatives of each NRA, known as the Contact Network).

In 2008, the IRG changed legal status to an association under Belgian private law, with the constitution for the first time of a professional secretariat.

ICP-ANACOM gave priority to its presence and participation in the following working groups: Review of Regulatory Framework, Mobile Termination Rates, Convergence, End-Users, IRGIS (IRG information system), Benchmark, Roaming and presided over two of these (End Users and IRGIS).

Among the matters addressed, particular note should be made of CERT (Finland and Switzerland), attacks on web-sites (Lithuania), existing or future regulations on the subject (Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority -FICORA and the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission - EETT), network resilience (the European Network and Information Security Agency - ENISA).

ICP-ANACOM also followed the ''Informal IRG Working Group on Network and Information Security'', a favoured forum for exchange of experiences on matters related to network and information security, which saw participation of ENISA members.

ICP-ANACOM was also involved in the preparation of the Common Position on symmetry in Fixed and Mobile Terminations and in the preparation of a response to the public consultation launched by the European Commission on a draft Recommendation on prices of Fixed and Mobile Termination in the EU.

Regulatel

Regulatel, the Latin American Forum of Telecommunications Regulators, has a mission to exchange information on the regulatory framework of each administration with the intention of harmonising the rules and activities of the Regulatory Authorities. With a nature which is similar to that of the European groups, ERG and IRG, it aims to foster cooperation and coordination of activities in the field of telecommunications, so promoting the development of the sector in Latin America.

ICP-ANACOM participated in the VIII meeting between the chairs of Regulatel and the IRG and the XI plenary of the chairs of REGULATEL, which took place in Lima.

EMERG

June 2008 saw the official creation of the Euro-Mediterranean network of Regulators (EMERG) which brings together representatives of regulators of the electronic communications sector from around the Mediterranean region, including members of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG), from North Africa and the Middle East. ICP-ANACOM attended the first plenary in Malta, as a founding member. The aims of this network of regulators include the sharing of experiences and further consolidation and harmonization of the principles of regulation. Alongside these objectives there is recognition of the existence of challenges and opportunities which may be reflected in promoting competition and stability in the electronic communications markets, the development of new technologies and overcoming the digital divide, making the benefits of the information society accessible to all.

Other Organizations

ITU Sectors

Standardization Sector (ITU-T)

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-08), the highest body of the Standardization Sector, took place in October in Johannesburg. New Resolutions were adopted, in particular, on accessibility for people with disabilities and there was discussion on the role of information and communication technologies in reducing the impact of climate change.

In addition, a Recommendation was approved on network externalities, although with reservations expressed by several countries, including Portugal.

Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)

In the annual meeting of the Telecommunications Development Advisory Group (TDAG), which took place in February, the need was shown for the definition of indicators (key project indicators - KPIs), which are quantitative and qualitative, to measure the implementation of the operational plan, for which purpose a working group was established.

Events with relevance to the sector were examined, particularly, the Global Symposium for Regulators and the Connect Africa Summit (Geneva, October 2008), which were considered a true success, given the large amount of funding achieved for projects linked to the development of telecommunications in Africa.

Special mention should be made of ICP-ANACOM's support for the 2008 edition of the programme Youth Education Scheme (YES) of the ITU, as in 2004 and 2007. This initiative of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau, which is part of the ITU Youth Programme, aims to support needy youngsters from developing countries who wish to complete higher education in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) and related areas and who wish to contribute to the development of their community, country or region.

As part of the programme of cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, ICP-ANACOM's sponsorship focused solely on candidates from Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP).

Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R)

The 15th meeting of the Advisory Group (RAG), which took place in February in Geneva, examined the decisions of the 2007 session of the Council and issues addressed in the Radiocommunications Assembly and at the World Radiocommunication Conference. This conference saw the creation of 35 new Resolutions, while note should also be made of the restructuring of the sector Study Committees, including the creation of a new Study Committee 5 (dedicated to terrestrial services) and the modification of Committee 4 (satellite services), as well as the appointment of chairs and vice-chairs of the Study Committee, of the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM), the Committee for Coordination of Vocabulary, the Special Committee, and the RAG itself.

ICP-ANACOM also participated in other working groups, in particular WP 1A (responsible for research on Spectrum Engineering Techniques and dealing with matters related to the WRC, the PLT (Power Line Telecommunications) and review of several ITU Recommendations), in WP 1B (responsible for studies on methods of Spectrum Management and Economic Strategies, dealing with issues such as SRD (Short Range Devices), SDR & CR (Software Defined Radio & Cognitive Radio) and with Resolution 951) in WP 4B (responsible for studies related to satellite radio services), in WP 5a (responsible for studies related to the land mobile service, excluding IMT and the amateur and amateur satellite services) in WP5B, responsible for studies related to the maritime mobile service, including the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), the aeronautical mobile service and radiodetermination, dedicated to the development of technical and operational specifications of weather radar systems and maritime mobile service systems in metric and decametric waves, in WP 5C (responsible for the technical aspects related to the fixed service, including the development of new frequency plans and the establishment of criteria for spectrum sharing between systems of the fixed service and other services) in WP6a (responsible for studies related to the broadcasting service, in particular the transition from analogue to digital technology) and JTG 5-6 (created by CPM11-1 ''Conference Preparatory Meeting 2011'', which requires the completion of studies of sharing between the mobile service and other services for which the 790-862 MHz band is allocated: broadcast services, fixed, mobile and aeronautical radio navigation - in Regions 1 and 3, according to Resolution 749).

European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)

The objectives of the CEPT include the harmonisation of technical and regulatory matters, as well as the coordination of European regional positions in respect of the work of the international organizations in the sector, namely the ITU and the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

In 2008 ICP-ANACOM participated in the CEPT Assembly - its highest body -, which was held in June, in Malta, and which continued work reforming the organization.

EC Mandates to CEPT

In 2008 the following work was undertaken in response to mandates issued to the CEPT by the EC:

SRD - with respect to the permanent mandate, with the objective of conducting an annual review of the Annex to the EC Decision on the harmonisation of the spectrum for SRDs, including the technical characteristics and the frequency ranges of this type of equipment, whereby analysis was conducted of amendment proposals presented by the EC;
UWB (Ultra Wide Band) - mandate to identify the technical and operational conditions related to the harmonised introduction in the EU of UWB-based applications;
Digital Dividend - mandate to conduct the necessary technical studies aimed at defining not only the optimal technical conditions for the use of the 790-862 MHz sub-band by fixed/mobile electronic communications, but also by other potential networks or services, taking into account the co-existence of existing services, including the broadcasting service;
MCV (Mobile Communications on Vessels) - A report was prepared (ECC REPORT 122) on GSM on board vessels in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, following the mandate to identify the technical and operational conditions necessary to ensure the absence of harmful interference in radio services operating in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency range, in the territorial waters of Member States.

European Communications Office (ECO)

ICP-ANACOM provided representation of the Portuguese Administration on the Boards of the European Radiocommunications Office (ERO) and the European Telecommunications Office (ETO), which met jointly in May and December having chosen the new Chair and Vice-Chair (Netherlands and Norway, respectively). The joint Council conducted an analysis of the financial implications of the ongoing restructuring in the CEPT and approved the general principle of cost recovery to finance future activities. It was agreed that a proposal will be presented at the next Assembly that all 48 states participating in the organization bear the future costs of the ECO, which is currently supported only by the 29 countries that subscribed to the Convention. Regarding the ratification of the Convention establishing the ECO, resulting from the merger of the ERO and ETO, it is anticipated that this shall enter into force in early 2009, with the Office able to operate simultaneously. The Office prepared the 2009 celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the CEPT, in parallel with the completion of the organization's 15th Conference, which will take place in Montreux in October.

Electronic Communications Committee (ECC)

The activity of this Committee in 2008 included the approval of the following decisions:

Harmonized use of the 5 875 5 925 MHz frequency band by Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS);
Harmonization of frequency bands for the implementation of digital systems for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) in the 380-470 MHz range;
Harmonized use of GSM systems on board vessels in the 880-915/925-960 MHz and 1710-1785/1805-1880 frequency bands.

Reviews were also conducted on the Decisions on the ''Free circulation of radio equipment in CEPT countries'' and on ''Regulatory provisions for UWB applications using mitigation techniques''.

Regarding the accompaniment of the ECC subgroups, ICP-ANACOM gave priority to its the presence in the working groups and project teams of Frequency Management, Spectrum Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, IMT-2000 and Other Systems, Preparation of Conferences, Numbering and Addressing and Technical Aspects of interconnection. The following results obtained by these groups are highlighted below:

The Frequency Management Working Group (WG FM) continued with activities with respect to radio spectrum harmonization at a European level, in the context of radio services and systems.
Spectrum Engineering Working Group (SE WB) carried out studies that resulted in recommendations and reports to establish compatibility criteria between different radio systems. Note should be made of the reports on microphone transmitters (PWMS), specific UWB applications (ODC) and the Decision on the introduction of mobile services on board vessels (GSMOBV).
Regulatory Affairs Working Group (RA WG) worked on the harmonisation of regulatory technical standards and procedures at a European level, especially the review of Decisions on free circulation, use and exemption from individual licensing of terminals, analysis on the applicability of the R&TTE (Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment) and EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Directives;
The Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) began preparation for the World Radiocommunication Conference which will take place in 2011, creating four projects for this purpose which will have the following issues on their agendas:
- PT-A (General regulatory and technical issues): technical aspects, regulations and procedures pertaining to various topics under discussion with respect to the agenda of WRC-11; coordination of European positions at the RA (Radiocommunications Assembly ITU-R), included in the structure of ITU-R. Additionally, as part of its mandate, the project team should coordinate the positions of the CEPT at the (CPM Conference Preparatory Meeting) and the SCRPM (Special Committee on regulatory/procedural matters), and propose the creation or modification of the Rules of Procedure, presented by the RRB (Radio Regulations Board) with the aim of improving the interpretation and application of the RR;
- PT-B (Scientific issues): aspects of the WRC-11 agenda associated with scientific services and the coordination of European positions to be put forward at the RA.
- PT-C (Aeronautical, radiolocation, maritime, amateur): formulation of CEPT positions with respect to issues associated with the aeronautical mobile service, radiolocation, maritime, and amateur service on the WRC-11 agenda, as well as the coordination of European positions to be put forward at the RA.
- PT-D (Various): coordination of various issues associated with ENG (Electronic News Gathering), fixed service, UHF band, HAPS and mobile satellite service.
The ECC PT1 Group, responsible for all IMT matters should coordinate contributions and European positions on issues of spectrum planning and sharing/compatibility.
The ECC TG3 Group which responded to the mandates of the EC to the study mitigation techniques and the development of regulatory solutions for generic UWB devices.
The ECC TG4 Group, which concluded its work on the first mandate of the EC to study the technical constraints with a view to the adoption of a harmonised policy for the digital dividend in the EU, presented Report CEPT 23 regarding the possibility of using the spectrum without harmonisation between the awards and allocations of DVB-T (so-called ''white spaces'') by future applications or services and CEPT Report 24 which contains a technical roadmap of the various technical options and possible scenarios for the optimisation of the digital dividend.
FM PT 46 which conducted its activity with respect to the maritime mobile service and maritime radionavigation.

European Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP)

2008 was marked by the adoption of a new structure for the CERP with only two Working Groups, with 9 Project Teams reporting to these Groups, maintaining the Plenary as the final provider of approval to the Committee's work.

At the plenary meeting held in May in Riga, the reports of the various working groups and project teams were presented and the restructuring of the CEPT and its impact on CERP was discussed. Germany was elected to the Presidency, and Ireland to the vice presidency.

At the October plenary session in Athens, approval was given to the new CERP structure and there was participation of guests from the European Commission who addressed the theme of the current phase of postal liberalization in Europe.

Working Group on ITU Affairs

This group of CEPT is responsible for political and strategic issues related to the ITU and reports to the organization's Plenary.

The group focused on preparations for the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-08), having analyzed the results of the latest TSAG meeting and approved the terms of reference and mandate of Project Team preparing this Assembly. In addition, the Common European Proposals (CEP) for WTSA-08 were adopted, as well as the CEP on network externalities, contrary to that proposed by the CEPT. The European countries presented, however, a reservation on the implementation of this Recommendation.

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)

ICP-ANACOM is a member of ETSI in the Administration category, and participated in this quality in the two General Assemblies, the highest body of ETSI, in Nice.

ETSI is active in three areas: Global Standards Producer, Service Providing Organization and European Standards Organization, while in the area of standards special attention is given to the strategic issues of M2M Communication, Radio Spectrum, ''Internet of Things'' (including RFID), Interconnection of IP-based services, Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Core Network Harmonisation.

ETSI increased the number of its members, totalling around 700, with increasing representation of bodies from other continents. Note should also be made of the increasingly strong cooperation with entities outside Europe, notably with China.

Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

ICP-ANACOM followed the work of the 3rd session of the Internet Governance Forum in Hyderabad (India) where issues were discussed such as access (with the goal of adding the next billion Internet users), cybersecurity and cybercrime (including the dichotomy of privacy vs. security), the management of critical/scarce resources (particularly the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 and articulation between the various stakeholders in the management of the Internet) and the Internet of the future. In particular, the following results should be noted:

The contribution of ICT, and the Internet in particular, to the issue of climate change, particularly in terms of the circulation of information;
The need for progress in the area of child protection. Indeed, while there are technical tools, there is a lack of tools of a social character, including the definition of what should be ensured in terms of privacy versus access to information;
The great importance of granting tax credits or benefits with respect to the purchase of equipment, in order to reach the next billion users. Multilingualism has been identified as of great importance to achieve the desired increase in the number of accesses to the Internet;
Accessibility from the perspective of ensuring that concerns such as the inclusion of people with special needs, needs to be properly ensured in the future model of Internet management (governance);
Cybersecurity and legal aspects, namely the development of appropriate jurisdiction.