The Frequency Management Sub-Committee (FMSC), which operates in the scope of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), met on 11-12 March in Brussels.
NATO FMSC was informed of the approval by application of the breach of silence procedure of the supplement to the Joint Frequency Agreement (NATO NJFA) ? classified ?NATO restricted? ? and the Military Frequency Group (MFG) mandate.
Given the difficulties some administrations have had in identifying enough spectrum to proceed with migration of military applications vis-à-vis decisions of the last World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC03), particularly regarding new allocations that will take effect in 2007, as well as the loss of 300 kHz, a decision was made to include the following text in the preliminary position for item 1.13: ?National administrations are asked to take all possible steps to maintain adequate HF resources for joint national and international military purposes to support NATO and the Partners and to protect military requirements essential for fixed and mobile services?.
NATO FMSC adopted principles and guidelines for future debate and study of emerging technologies above 275 GHz.
Regarding possible civil use of the tactical information distribution system/ multifunction information distribution system (JTIDS/ MIDS) by Eurocontrol, to implement the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, the FMSC learned that usage under Section 4.4 of the Radio Regulations (RR) is not attractive for the civil aviation community. For this reason Eurocontrol indicated it had no practical interest whatsoever in commercial use of the JTIDS/ MIDS system.
NATO FMSC also studied a Dutch proposal to introduce modifications to the European Common Allocation Table (ECA Table). The Netherlands will submit its ECA Table modification proposal to the Frequency Management group (WG FM) of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunciations Administrations (CEPT); NATO FMSC has drawn up a small text supporting the proposed modifications for the 1215-1350 MHz, 3100-3400 MHz, 5250-5850 MHz and 7900-8400 MHz bands.
Lastly, the group studied some aspects related to co-existence of Earth Exploration Satellite Service (EESS) and Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) in the 8025-8400 MHz band and adopted a text for the preliminary military position on this question. It expressed preference for adequate co-ordination, as opposed to a proposal that called for the imposition of limits on EESS station licensing.
NATO FMSC was also informed of the report its chair presented to NC3B.
The meeting was attended by 52 representatives of 18 NATO countries, five accession countries, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and the NATO Consultation Command and Control Agency (NC3A).
The next NATO FMSC meeting will be held in December.
