Rome hosted last 20-22 September the first meeting of project team D of the 2019 Conference Preparatory Group (CPG PTD), attended by nearly 72 participants, including the observer from the European Communications Office (ECO) and representatives of industry and operators.
CPG PTD is responsible for the following agenda items of the next World Radiocommunication Conference in 2019 (WRC-19):
- AI 1.1 (amateurs)
Consideration of allocating 50-52 MHz spectrum for amateur radio with secondary status. In Portugal the 50-52 MHz range is already used by various amateur categories (secondary status). Accompaniment of developments in the band’s situation as it can impact regulation of amateur service. There are conditions on use of 50.5-51 MHz spectrum.
The draft CEPT brief was modified, based on documents and discussions during the Drafting Group (DG) meeting.
- AI 1.11 (tracksides)
Harmonisation of spectrum for the global system for mobile communications for railways (GSM-R). The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) working groups will evaluate spectrum needs as well as technical, operational and implementation conditions for radio systems communicating trains and tracksides (Resolution 236 (WRC-15)). At CEPT reports have been drafted to enable coordination between GSM-R and the third generation mobile communications system.
A draft CEPT brief has been prepared based on documents and discussions during the DG meeting. The group nevertheless agreed to wait for the administrations’ responses to the questionnaire put out by the ITU Radiocommunication Sector, which belongs to the group responsible for studies involving terrestrial mobile service, excluding international mobile telecommunications, amateur services and satellite amateur (WP5A).
- AI 1.12 (ITS)
Harmonisation of the maximum possible amount of spectrum at regional or possibly global level that permits implementation of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in mobile service allocations (Resolution 237 (WRC-15)). In Europe the 5875-5905 MHz band is harmonised for ITS with respect to passenger safety aspects. At CEPT the Recommendation ECC/REC/(08)01 is still in force, which sets conditions for ITS use in the 5855-5875 MHz band.
CPG PTD received various contributions on this matter, notably one from the American company Qualcomm, a producer of chipsets for code division multiple access and broadband technologies which holds that ITSs require more spectrum (beyond 5875-5905 MHz, including at least 5905-5925 MHz). Qualcomm also considers that sharing with radio local area networks (RLANs) in 5855-5875 MHz can be studied, as long as ITSs are protected.
It proposes analysing compatibility between RLANs in order to protect ITSs in the 5855-5875 MHz and 5875-5925 MHz bands. They justify this option based on the new Release 14 of the shared third generation (3GPP) project, where long term evolution – vehicle-to-vehicle is being developed. It was noted that coexistence between RLAN and ITS is not entirely possible, as demonstrated by results of studies by the Federal Communications Commission.
During the plenary meeting it was agreed that the studies on the opportunity to extend the ITS band to 5905-5925 MHz should take place within PTD and compatibility with RLANs under agenda point AI 1.16.
A draft of the CEPT brief was drawn up based on the documents and discussions at the DG meeting.
- AI 1.16 (RLAN 5 GHz)
Issues concerning wireless access systems, including wireless access systems in local radio area networks in the 5150-5925 MHz band, also developing regulatory actions, including allocation of additional spectrum for mobile service (Resolution 239 (WRC-15)). At CEPT three reports have been developed in this ambit in response to a European Commission mandate (CEPT Report 57; ECC Report 244).
Regarding this matter, CPG PTD received many contributions (12) which were discussed after presentation of the informative documentation from WP5A.
The discussion concerned the existence of numerous applications in the 5 GHz band which are not covered by agenda item AI 1.16 but which should be taken into consideration. Some administrations recalled the need to study compatibility between RLANs and weather radars operating in the 5350-5470 MHz band, given the regulatory impact of introducing Recommendation M.1849-1 in footnotes 5.447F and 5.450A, specifically application of the same digital frequency selection characteristics.
Qualcomm presented a document stressing the importance of RLANs for 5G development, especially by assigning the 5150-5875 MHz band with limits that protect incumbents. They nevertheless insist that ITSs are equally important and therefore propose that the impact of introducing RLANs versus ITSs in the 5855-5875 MHz band, leaving the 5875-5925 MHz band to ITS, should be analysed.
A draft CEPT brief was produced based on the documents and discussions during the DG meeting.
- AI 9.1.5 (modified for footnotes 5.447F and 5.450A)
The aim of this agenda item is to investigate impact on mobile service arising from changes to footnotes 5.447F and 5.450A concerning permission for mobile service use as long as it protects radio location-finding, radio-determination and Earth exploration by satellite services, by removing from those footnotes the reference to Recommendation M.1638-0 (protection requirements and characteristics for sharing studies on radio location-finding, aeronautic radio-navigation and weather radars operating in the 5250-5850 MHz band) and to introduction of the new Recommendation M.1849-1 (technical and operational aspects of weather radars), containing characteristics of new radars operating in various 5250-5725 MHz sub-bands, including protection criteria for weather radars operating in the 5350-5470 MHz band.
A draft CEPT brief was produced based on the documents and discussions during the DG meeting. A suggestion was made to change the name of this DG to better reflect the agenda item’s scope.
- AI 9.1.6 (wireless power transmissions)
Urgent studies conducted with respect to wireless power transmission (WPT) for electric vehicles, specifically WPT’s impact on radiocommunication services, and analysis of harmonised frequency bands that minimise impact on radiocommunication services. These studies should take into account standardisation discussions and procedures of the International Electrotechnical Commission, the Society of Automotive Engineers and the Organisation for Standardisation to harmonise WPT technologies in electric vehicles.
A draft CEPT brief was produced based on the documents and discussions during the DG meeting.
The next meeting will be held on 10-12 January 2017 in Helsinki.
