The 59th RSC meeting was held last 15-16 March in Brussels.
The following stand out among the issues discussed:
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1.5 GHz band
The European Commission (EC) services presented a draft mandate to the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) to study and define harmonised technical conditions for the 1.5 GHz extension bands for use by wireless broadband electronic communication services.
The draft mandate was approved with the vote in favour of all present.
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2.3-2.4 GHz band
The Joint Research Centre gave a presentation concerning the second study it has produced on the potential impact of long term evolution interference in assistive listening devices operating in 2.4 GHz.
The scenarios used did not detect significant interference situations; the EC asked the member states to continue tests in the band and to transmit the respective feedback.
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Ultra wide band (UWB)
A draft permanent mandate was presented for CEPT to identify the conditions for harmonised introduction of radio applications based on UWB technology in the European Union.
After some changes to the mandate to ensure that it is limited to what is strictly necessary, it was approved by those present, with the Netherlands abstaining.
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Low power short range devices (SRDs)
The EC proposed continuing with the update of the SRD Decision, without including uses of the 870-876 and 915-921 MHz bands.
This proposal was accepted, given that most members have problems with its implementation. The text of the implementing decision on SRD in the 870-876 MHz and 915-921 MHz bands presented by the EC was discussed.
The existence of a separate decision will be a sign that there is an aim to protect current users of the band and that the usage approach should be different from what is usual for SRDs. The matter will be discussed again at the next meeting.
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Short range radars (SRR) in the 24 GHz band
Given that the absence of SRR interference in the 24 GHz band has been verified, it makes no sense to continue the obligation of annually notifying the EC.
It was thus agreed at this meeting to end the mandatory submission of annual reports to the EC. However, it is still indispensable to maintain all technical restrictions set out in the decision.
The EC will present a new decision at the next meeting, in accordance with the procedure now agreed upon.
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Implementation of European spectrum legislation
The EC services presented results of the questionnaire sent to member states regarding the application status of Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/339 of the Commission of 8 March 2016, concerning harmonisation of the 2010-2025 MHz frequency band for portable and mobile video connections and wireless cameras used for programme making and special events.
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Planning of joint meetings in 2017
The joint meetings of the RSC with the Telecommunications Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance Committee (TCAM) and the Railway Interoperability and Safety Committee (RISC) respectively held in October 2015 and July 2016 resulted in useful discussions with positive impact on coordinating inter-sector spectrum policies. This meeting therefore discussed the possibility of continuing to hold joint meetings with TCAM and RISC.
The member states should thus propose topics to discuss at those meetings by 13 April.
The next RSC meeting will be held in Brussels this coming 12-13 July.
