Brussels hosted last 5-6 October the 57th meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC).
1. Implementation of community spectrum legislation
Based on the responses to the questionnaire in document RSCOM16-33, the European Commission (EC) presented a summary document on the implementation status of Commission Decision 2014/276/EU amending Decision 2008/411/EC on the 3.4-3.8 GHz frequency band and Decision 2015/750 on the 1452-1492 frequency band.
The EC will publish the revised document in November 2016, taking into account additional information submitted by the member states after this meeting.
The EC services will continue to monitor the implementation situation of these two decisions.
2. Mobile communications on board vessels (MCV)
The EC services presented a draft implementing decision amending Decision 2010/166/EU on MCV.
The new rules, based on the conclusions of CEPT Report 62, aim to add conditions for technologies of the third generation mobile communications system (UMTS) and long term evolution (LTE) to the existing conditions, encompassing technology of the global system for mobile communications.
A stable text was achieved and is expected to be voted on at the next RSC meeting on 7-8 December 2016.
3. Mobile communications on aircraft (MCA)
The EC services presented a draft implementing decision that amends Decisions 2008/294/EU and 2013/654/EU in order to simplify MCA operation in the European Union (EU). A stable text was agreed on at this meeting, which should be voted on at the next RSC meeting (7-8 December 2016).
4. 5G
The EC services presented a draft mandate for CEPT to develop harmonised technical conditions for the next generation of wireless terrestrial systems (5G) in harmonised frequency bands in the EU and in frequency bands above 24 GHz.
The scope and calendar of the mandate were discussed, which should be aligned with the draft Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) opinion on 5G spectrum. It was decided that the EC services will present a revised version of the mandate for the comments of RSC members and observers.
5. Low power short range devices (SRDs)
The draft implementing decision for the sixth update of the SRD decision based on the corresponding CEPT report was presented. The EC’s proposal includes all recommendations made by CEPT which affect the conditions and restrictions for access to the relevant frequency bands. In some cases the EC decided to maintain existing terminology for the SRD categories, as they were not convinced of the added value of that terminology modification as proposed by CEPT.
The 870-876 MHz and 915-921 MHz bands are currently under discussion in CEPT with a view to preparing an addendum to the aforementioned report. The discussions will continue at the next meeting.
6. 2.3-2.4 GHz band
The Joint Research Centre presented the final report of the study on LTE’s impact in the 2.3-2.4 GHz band in WiFi equipment operating in the adjacent 2.4 GHz band (WiFi band).
In the absence of a guard band between the two bands, 25 percent of WiFi networks operating in the lowest part of the band can be prone to degraded performance vis-à-vis an LTE device. Bearing in mind the likelihood that WiFi equipment actually uses the lowest WiFi band, 58 percent of all WiFi networks are liable to be affected.
Although experimental results with licensed access with spectrum sharing are positive, there is currently limited interest by mobile operators in sharing the band with existing users.
7. 2.7-2.9 GHz band
An EC working document was presented concerning the next steps toward shared use of the 2.7-2.9 GHz band, containing an overview of current/planned use of the 2.7-2.9 GHz frequency band by video applications in equipment for programme making and special events (PMSE) based on contributions submitted by the member states.
The EC noted the usefulness of having an implementing decision on harmonised used of the 2.7-2.9 GHz band by PMSE video applications. However, given that the member states want a high level of flexibility in determining technical conditions that enable coexistence of PMSE video applications and radars at national level, the EC services for the time being do not see sufficient room for a harmonisation measure in the 2.7-2.9 GHz band.
After completion of the RSPG Opinion on the long-term strategy for spectrum requirements vis-à-vis future needs and use of wireless PSME audio and video applications, the member states should discuss in the RSPG context whether shared use of the 2.7-2.9 GHz band by PMSE video should be part of the long-term spectrum strategy for PMSE.
8. CEPT and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
The representatives of CEPT and ETSI presented their reports on activities since the last RSC meeting.
9. Next meeting
The next RSC meeting will be held on 7-8 December 2016 in Brussels.
