The Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC) met last 14 January in Brussels for the sole purpose of completing the text of the decision on the 700 MHz band. Note that at the last RSC meeting in December 2015 a draft decision was discussed. But no agreement was reached on the text and an extraordinary meeting to deal with the matter was therefore scheduled.
The aforementioned draft decision submitted by the European Commission (EC) concerning “harmonisation of the 694-790 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services (ECS) and other uses in the Union” aims to harmonise use of the 2x30 MHz band for ECS provision and also proposes flexible harmonisation of remaining spectrum in the 700 MHz band (in the duplex gap, for example), enabling (optional) implementation of other applications: audio in programme making and special events (PMSE), public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Due to the meeting’s brevity it was not possible to discuss the draft decision in detail, in particular to deal with strategic concerns (e.g. harmonisation questions, flexibility of spectrum use, definitions). In any case, it was clear during the discussion that several countries believe there is not enough stability regarding harmonisation of spectrum use for other purposes beyond the 2x30 MHz. The EC indicated that it was clearly in favour of developing the decision along the lines in which it had initially presented it, i.e. containing all possibilities for national level applications (PPDR, supplemental downlink, IoT, PMSE) as well as spectrum harmonisation for mobile broadband in 2x30 MHz.
At the meeting it was possible to arrange a better structure for the text which determines the use of 2x30 MHz for wireless broadband and, if the country so decides, for PPDR as well, and also the use of other possible applications at national level in the remaining spectrum band. Also debated were aspects such as technical conformity with the report from the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations in response to the EC mandate and the EC’s proposed definition of IoT.
In conclusion, some details remain to be worked out by email. The decision is expected to be finalised before the next RSC meeting in March.
