The 69th meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC) was held on 11 December 2019 in Brussels.
The following results stand out regarding discussions about the main agenda topics:
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) reported on the progress of studies on co-existence of LTE-V2X and ITS G5. It is hoped that technical solutions for the two ETSI working items can be finalised in mid-2020. The choice will then have to be made for a common technical solution that will lead to a harmonised standard. The standard should be available in mid-2021; if reaching agreement on a common solution proves to be challenging, it can be delayed until mid-2022.
The member-states hold that there should be no more delays in modification of the implementing decision on the 9.5 GHz band. In this regard, the European Commission (EC) is expected to present a draft amendment of the implementing decision at the next RSC meeting in March 2020.
After discussing possible options, the draft decision will be based on the results of Report 71 of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) and it will be assumed that there will eventually be a coexistence solution developed in ETSI.
Paired 2 GHz
The EC services presented a first draft EC implementing decision amending Decision 2012/688/EU, concerning an update of the relevant technical conditions applicable to the 1920-1980 and 2110-2170 frequency bands (paired terrestrial 2 GHz band) for terrestrial systems able to supply electronic communication services. According to CEPT Report 72, the new technical parameters are included in the annex of this working document and their harmonisation will make the paired terrestrial 2 GHz band adequate for 5G, preserving the principle of technological and service neutrality.
Beyond some concerns about existing licences and the provisions needed to implement general parameters of the new technical conditions, which require additional time and flexibility, the delegations were positive about this initiative, without raising other controversial questions.
With a view to achieving a stable text, a revised version will be presented, taking into account the member-states’ concerns and their comments on the wording.
2.6 GHz
The EC presented the first draft EC implementing decision amending Decision 2008/477/EC, concerning an update of the relevant technical conditions applicable to the 2500-2690 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems able to supply electronic communication services.
The revised technical conditions, based on CEPT Report 72, are included in the annex of this working document and are meant to ensure harmonisation of the 2.6 GHz frequency band in the ‘ready-for-5G’ EU, according to the principles of technological and service neutrality. The delegations attending the meeting welcomed this initiative, without raising any controversial question.
26 GHz band
The EC presented a document analysing results of the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19), focusing on overall out-of-band emission limits in 5G devices in the 26 GHz band for protection of passive satellite services in the adjacent 23.6-24 GHz band and their implications.
The member-states should comment on the need to update the out-of-band emission limits harmonised in the European Union (EU) for 5G to protect the ‘passive’ band.
The member-states supported an urgent modification of the current (EU) Implementing Decision 2019/784, taking into account the WRC-19 results, protection of ‘passive’ satellite services and the 26 GHz band’s use for 5G, in accordance with the Code’s 2020 deadline.
The Commission will ask CEPT for a specific technical contribution that will serve as the basis for amending that Commission Decision.
Permanent UWB mandate
The RSC approved by consensus various editorial changes to the text of the permanent mandate for CEPT on ultra wideband (UWB), to thereby take into consideration adoption of the new (EU) Implementing Decision 2019/785 of the Commission on UWB.
The changed mandate for UWB was forwarded to the head of the ECC.
Implementation of EU legislation on spectrum matters
The EC services presented a document containing a summary of results from the questionnaire on the implementation status of the following Commission implementing decisions:
- Decision (EU) 2018/1538: short-range devices in the 874-876 MHz and 915-921 MHz frequency bands;
- Decision (EU) 2018/661: amendment of the decision on the 1.5 GHz frequency band;
- Decision (EU) 2018/637: internet of things in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands;
- Decision (EU) 2017/2077: amendment of the decision on short-range automotive radars in the 24 GHz frequency band;
- Decision (EU) 2017/191: amendment of the decision on mobile communications on board vessels;
- Decision (EU) 2016/2317: amendment of the decision on mobile communications on board aircraft.
The summary is based on information supplied by the member-states by different means, including responses to RSC questionnaires and official notifications sent to the General Secretariat and/or the Directorate-General for Communication
Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect). The member-states were asked to confirm the information about implementation status and, where appropriate, to make the respective update by 10 January 2020.
The next RSC meeting (RSC#70) is scheduled for 11-12 March in Brussels.
