The 43rd meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC) was held last 20-21 March in Brussels.
The following stand out among the issues discussed:
1. Implementation of European spectrum legislation
The European Commission (EC) presented results from the verification of application of implementing decision 2011/829/EU amending EC decision 2006/771/EC concerning low power short range devices (SRD). This decision was implemented by Portugal and associated information sent to the EC.
The member states should now inform the EC of the current implementation status of decision 2010/267/EU concerning harmonisation of technical conditions for use of the 790-862 MHz frequency band by terrestrial systems able to provide electronic communication services in the European Union (EU). This decision was implemented by Portugal and official notification sent to the EC.
2. Low power short range devices (SRD)
The EC submitted a draft decision on coordinated revision of decision 2006/771/EC concerning SRD and of decision 2005/928/EC concerning the 169 MHz band.
A novelty of this EC decision is that it is aligned by band and not by application. The EU member states supported the proposal in principle, in so far as it strengthens the EU's SRD harmonisation approach.
3. Derogations concerning 800 MHz decision
The EC submitted a document summing up the situation concerning authorisation for derogations vis-à-vis implementation of this decision.
4. Ultra Wide Band (UWB)
Activities undertaken by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in response to the fifth EC mandate on UWB were presented. This mandate is basically meant to ascertain new developments at CEPT level for both generic and specific UWB applications. The aim is to update Decision 2009/343/EC of 21 April 2009 amending Decision 2007/131/EC of 21 February 2007, concerning harmonised use of radio spectrum for equipment using UWB technology in the EC.
The EC awaits the final CEPT report (report 45), in public consultation, so that it can propose a text for the new decision.
5. 700 MHz band
The EC reported that the CEPT mandate concerning 700 MHz was adopted after being subject to the written regulatory procedure.
6. Spectrum inventory
A revision of the draft decision on spectrum inventory was presented. This decision sets out practical modes and uniform formats for member states to gather and supply data to the EC on current spectrum usage between 400 MHz and 6 GHz (designated relevant spectrum) and the method for analysing technological trends, future needs and spectrum demand in EU policy fields, as per article 9 of Decision no. 243/2012/EU, which establishes a multiannual radio spectrum policy programme.
The decision was subject to vote by verbal regulatory procedure and was approved at the meeting.
7. GSM-Railway (GSM-R) interference
The EC had concluded that some countries may have real interference problems and that it was necessary to determine how to resolve this matter. To gauge the need and scope of additional measures (such as a new mandate for CEPT), the member states were asked to supply information on specific cases (uses/interference).
8. Equipment for programme making and special events (PMSE)
The EC presented a document on use of PSME audio equipment in the 823-832 MHz and 1785-1805 MHz bands. This working document from the EC services aims to gather information and opinions from the member states regarding how to ensure that PMSE audio equipment will be able to take most advantage of use of the frequency bands (821 MHz) 823-832 MHz and 1785-1805 MHz, without restrictions caused by interference.
9. Decision on mobile communications on board aircraft (MCA)
An EC draft implementing decision was presented, amending Decision 2008/294/EC of 7 April 2008, concerning harmonised spectrum use conditions for the exploitation of MCA services in the European community.
The modification proposals are based on results from CEPT report 48, which is the final product of the commission’s mandate to CEPT to identify suitable technical criteria for including new technologies and frequencies in the MCA decision and to facilitate the development of MCA applications in the EU.
The decision's final text will be approved at the next meeting.
