Project team D (PTD) of the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) held its third meeting last 3-5 May in Maisons-Alfort, France, attended by about 73 participants, including the observer from the European Communications Office (ECO) and representatives of industry and/or operators.
CPG PTD is responsible for the following items on the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) agenda:
Agenda item: 1.1 (Amateur):
Consider allocation of spectrum in 50-52 MHz for radio amateur with secondary status. In Portugal the 50-52 MHz interval is already used by various amateur categories (secondary status). Accompany evolution of the band’s situation because it impacts the regulation of amateur service. Spectrum from 50.5 to 51 MHz is conditioned.
Based on these discussions, the draft CEPT brief was updated with justification of the spectrum needs, maintaining support for the spectrum’s allocation for amateur service only if studies vis-à-vis incumbent services show that coexistence and compatibility are possible between amateur service and broadcasting services.
Agenda item: 1.11 (Tracksides):
Harmonisation of spectrum for GSM railway (GSM-R). The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) working groups will evaluate spectrum needs as well as technical, operational and implementation conditions for systems for radiocommunication between trains and tracksides (Resolution 236 (WRC-15)). At CEPT reports have already been produced with a view to enabling coordination between GSM-R and the third generation mobile communications system (UMTS).
Based on the discussions, the draft CEPT brief was updated, considering that there is no need to revise the Radio Regulations (RR). Note that harmonisation in the scope of this agenda item is limited to spectrum for railway operations, whereby passengers’ communication needs will be covered by IMT2020. The form of harmonisation is still open, though the possibility of drawing up a recommendation is being discussed.
Agenda item: 1.12 (ITS):
Harmonisation of the maximum amount of spectrum available regionally or possibly globally, enabling implementation of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in attributions for mobile service (Resolution 237 (WRC-15)). In Europe the 5875-5905 MHz band is harmonised for ITS vis-à-vis passenger safety aspects. Recommendation ECC/REC/(08)01 is still in force in CEPT; it sets conditions for using ITS in the 5855-5875 MHz band.
CEPT’s position in the brief was changed to indicate that the regional regulatory frameworks are sufficient in the 5855-5925 MHz and 63-64 GHz frequency bands, hence there is no foreseen need to modify the RR, which should preferably be done by means of a recommendation or report from the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). Also, after discussion, the CEPT brief conditions the aforementioned recommendation and report for ITS information-exchanging applications in order to improve traffic management and travel assistance.
Agenda item: 1.16 (RLAN 5 GHz):
Matters associated to wireless access systems, including wireless access systems/radio local area network (WAS/RLAN) in the 5150-5925 MHz band, also producing regulatory actions, including additional spectrum allocation for mobile service (Resolution 239 (WRC-15)). At CEPT three reports have been produced in this scope in response to an EC mandate (CEPT Report 57, ECC Report 244).
The discussion brought to light different opinions. Russia, France, Luxembourg and Germany (though less active) defended a more concrete and extreme position on bands that may or may not be harmonised for RLAN. In short, CEPT’s current position is the following:
- 5150-5250 MHz band: support and relax conditions for operating RLANs if the results show compatibility with Earth exploration satellite service (EESS), radionavigation and radiodetermination;
- 5250-5350 MHz band: support and relax conditions for operating RLANs if the results show compatibility with EESS, radionavigation and radiodetermination;
- 5350-5470 MHz band: CEPT’s position changed and for the time being RLAN’s introduction in this band is opposed;
- 5725-5850 MHz band: the position of waiting for the mitigation techniques is maintained, though a change to opposing RLAN introduction is expected;
- 5850-5925 MHz band: the position of waiting for the mitigation techniques is maintained.
Agenda item: 9.1.5 (Radio Regulations footnotes 5.447F and 5.450A):
The aim of this agenda items is to investigate the impact on universal service of modifying footnotes 5.447F and 5.450A (on permission to use mobile services, as long as it protects radio location-finding, radiodetermination and EESS services) by removing from them the reference to Recommendation M.1638-0 (protection requisites and characteristics for studies on sharing for radio location-finding, aeronautic radionavigation and weather radars operating in the 5250-5850 MHz band) and introducing the new Recommendation M.1849-1 (technical and operational aspects of weather radars), which contains characteristics of new radars operating in the various sub-bands of 5250-5725 MHz, including protection criteria for weather radars operating in the 5350-5470 MHz band.
Thus, regarding Recommendation ITU-R M. 1638-1, CEPT’s position is that of continuing investigation. Text was introduced to indicate that some administrations consider that it is not possible to refer to it in the footnotes, because it does not protect the encompassed radars.
Note that with respect to Recommendation ITU-R M.1849-1, CEPT holds that it can be introduced in those footnotes.
The next meeting will be held this coming 12-14 September in Vilnius, Lithuania.
