Project team PT4 of the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) met for the 13th time in the French city of Brest from 30 May to 1 June 2007.
At the meeting, the activity of CPG/PT4 mainly focused on approval of the final version of the draft European Common Proposals (ECPs) for points 1.13 and 1.14 of the 2007 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-07) agenda.
Regarding point 1.13 (revision of allocations to all radiocommunication services operating in the frequency bands between 4 MHz and 10 MHz), the following stand out:
- Draft ECP on the revision of spectrum allocations - this draft identifies 350 kHz of additional spectrum for broadcasting services (HFBC), as follows:
- 4550-4650 kHz frequency band: allocation of 100 kHz of additional spectrum to primary HFBC service, on a sharing basis with fixed and mobile services - the latter with secondary status;
- 5060-5110 kHz: allocation of 50 kHz of additional spectrum to primary HFBC service, on a sharing basis with the same status with fixed and mobile services;
- 5790-5900 kHz frequency band: exclusive allocation of 110 kHz of additional spectrum to HFBC service. This band is currently allocated to fixed and mobile services;
- 9350-9400 kHz frequency band: exclusive allocation of 50 kHz of additional spectrum to HFBC service. This band is currently allocated to fixed and mobile services;
- 9900-9940 kHz frequency band: exclusive allocation of 40 kHz of additional spectrum to HFBC. This band is currently allocated to fixed and mobile services;
- Resolution ZZ - a new Resolution ZZ has been proposed via which a transition period is established, to run from the date the WRC-07 Final Acts take effect and 25 October 2015, with a view to the exclusive allocation to HFBC service of the 5790-5900 kHz, 9350-9400 kHz and 9900-9940 kHz frequency bands;
- Recommendation YYY - a new Recommendation YYY has been proposed, advising Administrations to take the necessary steps with a view to discouraging broadcasting emissions in frequency bands not allocated to HFBC service, between 4 MHz and 10 MHz;
- Spectrum compensation - with a view to compensating spectrum loss by fixed and mobile services, the following is proposed:
- That the 5100-5250 kHz, 5730-5790 kHz, 9040-9350 kHz and 9940-9995 kHz frequency bands, currently allocated to fixed service and/or mobile services, should henceforth be reallocated on a sharing bases to both services with primary status;
- The allocation of 567.5 kHz of compensation spectrum for fixed and mobile services, on a sharing basis with mobile maritime service, in unplanned Appendix 17 bands. To that end the 4221-4351 kHz, 6332.5-6501 kHz and 8438-8707 kHz frequency bands were identified, currently meant for the establishment of communications (especially Morse telegraphy, emission class A1A and A1B, and in NBDP telegraphy) by coastal stations;
- Additionally, another Resolution WWW has been proposed, whereby ITU-R is asked to carry out studies on the experience gained with respect to the usefulness and occupation of the HF bands allocated for the ''collective use'' of fixed and mobile services by the WRC-03 and WRC-07 conferences. The proposal also considers the addition of a footnote (5.AMA) to the RR, in order to allow secondary use of the 5260-5410 kHz frequency band by amateur service;
- Resolution 517 - also proposed was amending Resolution 517 with a view to the introduction of digital modulation emissions in the frequency bands between 3200 kHz and 26100 kHz allocated to broadcasting service.
The implementation of these proposals is envisaged for the date the WRC-07 Final Acts take effect. The aforementioned draft ECPs will also be submitted to the CPG's consideration at its next meeting. As for the CEPT brief, it was updated in line with the draft ECPs approved by CPG/PT4.
As for point 1.14 (revision of the operational procedures and requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System - GMDSS), CPG/PT4 approved the final version of the draft ECP on revision of the operational procedures and requirements of the GMDSS system, which considers the following:
- Articles of the Radio Regulation (RR) - modification of the operational procedures and requirements, to introduce in the following Radio Regulation articles:
- Article 5 - Frequency allocation;
- Article 15 - Interference;
- Article 30 - Distress and safety communications - general provisions;
- Article 31 - Distress and safety communications - GMDSS system;
- Article 32 - GMDSS system - operational procedures;
- Article 33 - GMDSS system - operational procedures for emergency and safety;
- Article 34 - GMDSS system - warning signals;
- Article 41 - Communication with MMS and SMMS stations;
- Article 47 - Operator certificates;
- Article 51 - Conditions to observe in MMS and SMMS;
- Article 52 - Special rules regarding frequency usage;
- The following was decided regarding the appendices:
- to revoke Appendix 13 (distress and safety communications - non-GMDSS system), with the relevant provisions of this appendix included in Chapter VII of the RR;
- the amendment of Appendix 14 (phonetic alphabet and number code), which refers to the Appendix 13 meant to be revoked;
- the amendment of Appendix 15 (frequencies for distress and safety communications under the GMDSS system), which refers to the Appendix 13 meant to be revoked;
- the amendment of Appendix 16 (documents for stations on vessels and stations on aircraft), with a view to reducing the number of documents that must be compulsorily present at stations;
- the amendment of Appendix 17 (frequencies and channels for MMS in the HF bands), following the proposal to revoke Appendix 13;
- the change of Appendix 18 (mobile maritime service - MMS - VHF frequency plan), with a view to not only facilitating the introduction of new technologies in MMS, but also to prevent spectrum congestion situations, enabling the use of intercalary frequency planning with 12.5 kHz spacing between channels and the deployment of certain duplex channels in single frequency simplex channels;
- the revocation of Appendix 19, concerning the technical characteristics of accident localisation radio beacons (epirb) operating in the 2182 kHz frequency;
- In terms of resolutions, the following steps were taken:
- The amendment of Resolution 18 (procedures to identify and announce the position of vessels and aircraft), which refers to the Appendix 13 meant to be revoked;
- The revision of Resolution 331 (procedures for transition to the GMDSS system), with a view to updating the applicable procedures during the period of transition to the GMDSS system.
The said draft ECP will be submitted for the CPG's appreciation at its next meeting.
At this meeting of CPG/PT4, item 1.16 was also considered (assignment of mobile maritime service identities - MMSI - to other equipment besides mobile equipment installed on board vessels), given that the CEPT Brief was updated in line with the draft ECP already approved by the CPG.
