Brussels hosted last 18 March the 51st meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC).
The following stand out among the issues discussed:
1) Joint TCAM-RSC meeting
The European Commission (EC) presented a document containing a proposal to hold a joint meeting of the RSC and the Telecommunications Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance Committee (TCAM).
The member states were asked to share their opinions and comment on topics set out in the draft agenda. Some member states and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) supported the holding of that joint meeting of the two committees, indicating that special care should be taken when drawing up draft standards harmonised in the scope of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED);
2) Unpaired bands in 2 GHz
The EC services presented an updated version of the text of the Implementation Decision on use of the 1900-1920 MHz and 2010-2025 MHz bands, taking into account observations made by delegates at the previous meeting. The member states expressed their overall support for that proposal.
Clarifications were requested regarding time questions and proposals presented to rework some articles, along with the decision’s title, to make them clearer. The member states will have one more opportunity to submit comments; the aim is to have a stable final text by the next RSC meeting in July;
3) 2.3 GHz band
The EC services presented a draft text of the 2.3 GHz band decision for discussion and comments. The member states’ positions on how to make the band available for wireless broadband services and the best way to do so vary considerably. While some member states indicate it will be very hard for them to make the band available for mobile communication services, given existing uses, others said they would make the entire band available for mobile communications.
The diversity of implementation scenarios envisaged in the various member states presents major challenges when it comes to drawing up a suitable harmonised decision for this frequency band.
The member states were given until 21 April 2015 to send in written comments about the draft text. The EC will evaluate the contributions received and prepare a revised draft for discussion at the next RSC meeting in July 2015;
4) 1.5 GHz band
The draft revision of the Decision on harmonised designation of the 1452-1492 MHz frequency band for wireless broadband electronic communications downlink services was presented, taking into account comments received from the member states and in the EC’s internal consultation process.
After some editing changes the draft decision was voted on and approved with only one vote against;
5) 2.7-2.9 GHz band
A working document containing a proposed mandate for CEPT to study and identify compatibility and sharing conditions for wireless video cameras in the 2.7-2.9 GHz band, taking radar uses into account, was presented for discussion.
Some member states supported the study, while others have questioned the mandate’s timing and prefer to wait for results of the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).
The EC aims to submit the draft mandate to vote at the next RSC meeting in July.
With no other issues to consider, the meeting was closed. The next one is scheduled for this coming 14-15 July in Brussels.
