Brussels hosted last 19 February the 36th meeting of the Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG). The following stand out among the issues discussed:
- Preparation of the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15)
Adoption of the Opinion on common WRC-15 policy goals, which has the following objectives:
- to help the European Commission (EC) by proposing common policy goals in an EC communication;
- to provide guidance for member states when developing European common proposals (ECPs) within CEPT;
- to identify actions for the EC in order to lend political support to promotion of common policy goals at regular meetings between the EC and countries not belonging to the European Union (EU).
The common policy goals and strategies to adopt by the member states at WRC-15 were thereby identified in various areas, such as:
- information society;
- space policy;
- transportation policy;
- scientific use of spectrum;
- possible future items for the agenda of the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19).
- Long term strategy for the UHF band
Adoption of the opinion on the long term strategy for use of the UHF band (470-790 MHz) in the EU.
In this opinion it is important to highlight that regarding use of the 700 MHz band for wireless broadband (WBB) applications, the RSPG recommends that the member states make the band available for WBB as soon as possible and that a date be set for binding liberation of the band up to the end of 2020. The member states would be able to decide, for duly justified reasons and without need for derogation, to make the band available by 2022.
Beyond that, it is also recommended that the member states:
- begin bilateral negotiations with neighbouring countries regarding cross-border coordination, so that same can be completed before 2017;
- adopt more efficient broadcasting technologies in terms of spectrum usage;
- use the 470-694 MHz band for transmission of audiovisual content, with spectrum remaining available for digital terrestrial television (DTT) until 2030, with openness/flexibility for sharing with WBB (downlink) as long as DTT operations are not jeopardised.
- Efficient use and award of spectrum
The report’s framework has been determined; it will include the member states’ best practices regarding spectrum allocation processes along with some case studies. The drafting of some generic guidelines is also planned.
The aim is to adopt the report for public consultation at the RSPG meeting scheduled for June 2015.
A small presentation was given concerning the BEREC/RSPG workshop held on 11 November 2014, which among other issues enabled analysis of various auction formats, success/failure cases and the member states’ common objectives when formatting auctions.
- Wireless backhaul
The group’s progress report was presented; its final version should be delivered at RSPG meeting #37 this coming 11 June so it can be placed in public consultation. The member states supported the work already done and indicated the need to add an executive summary to the document to make it easy to perceive the main key messages meant to be conveyed.
- Revision of the radio spectrum policy programme (RSPP)
The working group in charge of this item identified topics to be developed and began to investigate key questions associated to fifth generation mobile (5G), harmonisation, sharing and the role of the RSPG. Also discussed were questions dealing with coverage obligations.
The need to make clear the future legal status of the next RSPP was identified.
It was noted that the different countries’ situations are so different that it will be hard to set deadlines for applying the various RSPP measures.
- Bilateral cooperation
The work carried out by this group was presented, especially regarding resolution of the problems between Italy and Malta. Italy adopted a compensation scheme in order to accomplish the switch-off of relevant emitters by December 2014. However, that process was delayed and might only be applied in April 2015, due to the need to increase the compensation budgets.
The Commission made note of its disappointment about yet another delay in the process.
The next RSPG meeting is scheduled for 11 June 2015 in Brussels.
