The 34th meeting of project team 44 (PT44) on satellite communications of the Frequency Management working group (WG FM) was held last 28-30 April in Zagreb, Croatia, chaired by France. A total of 23 participants attended, representing 11 administrations, radio-astronomy, the European Communications Office (ECO) and industry, namely EADS Astrium, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, O3b Networks, Thales Alenia Space and ViaSat.
The following stand out among matters dealt with at this meeting:
- analysis of use of the 17.7-19.7 GHZ frequency band;
- earth stations on mobile platforms communicating with non-geostationary satellite networks (NGSO ESOMP);
- analysis of use of the carrier identification (CID) technique;
- questions regarding the implementation of ECC Report 66 and associated ECC decisions.
In that regard, PT44 examined and discussed contributions received concerning those agenda points. The various documents were updated based on results of those discussions.
Note that after lengthy debate the two documents on use of the 17.7-19.7 GHz frequency band (revision of Decision ERC/DEC/(00)07 and new ECC report) were completed and will be submitted to WG FM for public consultation.
Lastly, it is important to highlight that a request should be made to WG FM to submit the new ECC decision on NGSO ESOMP to the ECC for final approval and publication. No comments on the document in question were received during the respective public consultation.
The next (35th) meeting of WG FM PT44 is scheduled for 13-15 January 2016, with plans for an interim meeting solely concerning protection distances at airports, to be organised with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and held this coming 21-25 September.