The fourth meeting of the subgroup of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) dedicated to streamlining spectrum use for the public sector was held last 30 September in Brussels.
As it was this working group's last meeting before presenting the report to the RSPG, on the suggestion of the subgroup's chairman, Stelio Himonas of Cyprus, it was decided to only debate point 6 of the preliminary ''RSPG Opinion: best practices''.
The discussions made it clear that the group had decided to opt for a much more moderate and conservative position than the one adopted by the consortium led by the WIK-Consult firm, particularly vis-à-vis the economic questions associated to spectrum use for the public sector, such as, for example, the introduction of administrative cost incentives to stimulate more efficient spectrum management and the determination of spectrum’s opportunity cost for public sector applications. Spain's representative opposed including text that might indicate the imposition of spectrum usage costs as a coactive measure leading to more efficient spectrum use. For Spain, the United Kingdom's experience in this area still does not allow conclusions to be drawn that favour the introduction of such measures. After lengthy discussion, the group agreed on the text to include in the report.
The study urges that, whenever possible, spectrum usage authorisations for the public sector which are not subject to limited exploitation periods should be gradually withdrawn. The subgroup did not comment on this question.
On the other hand, the following position was defended:
- Public sector uses should not be considered more important than private sector ones. This orientation should be borne in mind whenever the impact of a possible re-planning of the spectrum assigned to each sector is assessed;
- Detailed documentation of the public sector usage rights may be considered a good practice, as long as the necessary security conditions are safeguarded;
- The switch to modern or improved technology may result in spectrum being freed up or the provision of better services. The recourse to modern technology may also facilitate spectrum sharing between the two sectors' applications. A suitable attribution of priorities and pre-emption/override mechanisms will ensure the timely establishment of vital communications;
- While encouraging the assignment of public sector spectrum, no part of the spectrum should be viewed as special or with a preset future use meant to satisfy public requirements. Spectrum usage should as far as possible be carried out on a basis of neutrality with respect to technology and service.
A preliminary version of the opinion will be placed in circulation with the changes adopted at this meeting, with a request for comments by 24 October. Taking the comments eventually received into account, the chairman will present the preliminary opinion to the RSPG meeting on 19 November.
In his report to the RSPG, the president will also request guidance about the need to assure that the decision to acquire equipment for the public sector should henceforth include the opportunity costs of the spectrum used.
The subgroup's fifth meeting will be held on 15 January 2009 in Nicosia, Cyprus.
