Project team PT4 of the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) met for the tenth time on 24-25 October 2006 in the Dutch city of Hilversum, where the participants focused on examining the various draft European Common Proposals (ECPs) concerning item 1.13 of the 2007 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-07) agenda, on revision of the allocations to all radiocommunication services in the frequency bands between 4 MHz and 10 MHz.
France submitted to CPG PT4 consideration the preliminary version of a draft ECP, according to which broadcasting service would obtain 350 kHz of additional spectrum spread throughout the following frequency bands, currently assigned to fixed and/or mobile services:
- 4550-4650 kHz (100 kHz assigned on a primary basis, in sharing with fixed and mobile services);
- 5060-5110 kHz (50 kHz assigned on a primary basis, in sharing with fixed and mobile services);
- 5790-5900 kHz (110 kHz exclusively);
- 9350-9400 kHz (50 kHz exclusively);
- 9900-9940 KHz (40 kHz exclusively).
In compensation, the draft aims more towards the creation of 'generic' bands, totalling 350 kHz, which would be shared by fixed service and by the mobile services, except for aeronautic mobile service (R), by reassigning the following Appendix 17 frequency bands:
- 4271-4351 kHz (80 kHz);
- 6401-6501 kHz (100 kHz);
- 8537-8707 kHz (170 kHz).
This proposal is meant to be implemented on 25 March 2018.
For its part, Germany submitted for CPG PT4 consideration the preliminary version of a draft ECP very similar to the one presented by France. According to the German proposal, broadcasting services would obtain 300 kHz of additional spectrum spread through the following frequency bands, currently assigned to fixed and/or mobile services:
- 4550-4650 kHz (100 kHz exclusively);
- 5790-5900 kHz (110 kHz exclusively);
- 9350-9400 kHz (50 kHz exclusively);
- 9900-9940 KHz (40 kHz exclusively).
In compensation, the draft favours the creation of 'generic' bands, totalling 567 kHz, which would be shared by fixed service and by the mobile services, except for aeronautic mobile service (R), by reassigning the following Appendix 17 frequency bands:
- 4221-4351 kHz (130 kHz);
- 6331-6501 kHz (168 kHz);
- 8438-8707 kHz (269 kHz).
This proposal should be implemented preferably in 2012 or in 2015 at the latest, bearing in mind that the minimum solar activity period is expected in 2016.
The Dutch administration submitted to CPG PT4 consideration the preliminary version of a draft ECP, which identified for broadcasting service 450 kHz of additional spectrum spread through the following frequency bands, currently assigned to fixed and/or mobile services:
- 4000-4063 kHz (63 kHz assigned on a primary basis, shared with the fixed and mobile services);
- 5800-5900 kHz (100 kHz assigned on a primary basis, shared with the fixed and mobile services);
- 7550-7750 kHz (200 kHz exclusively);
- 9350-9400 KHz (50 kHz exclusively);
- 9900-9940 KHz (40 kHz exclusively).
In compensation, the draft favours the creation of 'generic' bands, totalling 567 kHz, which would be shared by fixed service and by the mobile services, except for aeronautic mobile service (R), by reassigning the following Appendix 17 frequency bands:
- 4221-4351 kHz (130 kHz);
- 6331-6501 kHz (168 kHz);
- 8438-8707 kHz (269 kHz).
This proposal should be implemented preferably on 25 March 2014 and in 2015 at the latest, bearing in mind that the minimum solar activity period is expected in 2016.
Given the various proposals presented, a decision was made that at its next meeting CPG PT4 would consolidate and approve one single draft ECP on this subject, to submit to CPG consideration. Portugal, Greece and Poland reported that for the time being they do not have the conditions that would enable them to support any draft ECP, as their respective armed forces defend the position currently taken by NATO, which opposes any proposed revision of allocated spectrum between 4 MHz and 10 MHz. For its part, the Russian Federation also opposes any reassignment of spectrum in that frequency range, bearing in mind the numerous radio relay connections existing throughout the country and used for fixed short-wave service.
Regarding the amendment of Appendix 17, a decision was made to go ahead with the separate development of a draft ECP, with a view to using new digital technologies in mobile maritime service (MMS). To that end, it was decided to propose:
I. The amendment of part A of Appendix 17 with a view to reducing the number of frequencies (channels) currently used for Morse telegraphy and NBDP telegraphy in order to free spectrum for data transmission over new digital technology systems in MMS;
II. The amendment of part B of Appendix 17 in the same way as proposed for part A; the aim is likewise to eliminate the sections iv and v concerning the frequencies used in Morse telegraphy;
III. The amendment of section I of part B of Appendix 17 by adding a note with a view to allowing the Administrations to notify other MMS stations used to transmit data, besides the stations operating in telephony.
The next CPG PT4 meeting was scheduled for 7-9 November 2006 in Bournemouth, the United Kingdom.
