ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
ECC Decision
of 7 July 2006
on the availability of frequency bands for
the introduction of Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR
in the 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 400 MHz bands
(ECC/DEC/(06)06)
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1 INTRODUCTION
This ECC Decision addresses the use of the bands 68-87.5 MHz, 146-174 MHz, 406.1-430 MHz, and 440-470 MHz which are planned for narrow band applications within the land mobile service. The term Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR is intended to cover digital systems such as digital single or duplex frequency systems with and without base stations, radio trunked mode systems which offer fast set-up calls, many services such as single, group, priority and emergency calls, data, etc. These systems may be operated self provided, self used or third party provided.
2 BACKGROUND
The existing PMR/PAMR market in Europe is to a large extent based on analogue technologies with 97 % analogue users in the year 2000. Although analogue equipment will still be in use it is expected that the new delivered equipment will be digital across all market segments. This ECC Decision has been developed in order to provide confidence to industry and potential users that the necessary frequency spectrum to meet the digital requirements will be provided in CEPT countries in accordance with the market developments.
The CEPT/ERC Recommendation T/R 25-08 (revised 2005) provides the planning criteria and coordination of frequencies for the land mobile service in the range 29.7 921 MHz. Those radio applications do not refer to a special standard or specification. This ECC Decision covers both duplex operation and single frequency operation in which the latter one includes e.g. simplex operation and TDD (Time Division Duplex) operation.
This ECC Decision covers exclusively the designation and especially the availability of frequency bands. This means the relevant bands should be designated in the national frequency usage tables and should be made available by the administrations. The current software controlled radio equipment technology offers the flexibility with regard to different frequency availability situations within the CEPT member countries, which facilitates European frequency planning. Separate ECC Decisions are required to deal with the licence (service/telecommunication licence and/or radio licence) related matters and for the carriage and use of equipment throughout Europe. Definitions, descriptions and further information regarding PMR/PAMR can be found in CEPT/ERC Recommendation (00)03, ERC Report 73 and ECC Report 25.
3 REQUIREMENT FOR AN ECC DECISION
The allocation or designation of frequency bands for use by a service or system under specified conditions in CEPT administrations is laid down by law, regulation or administration action. It is considered necessary to designate and implement frequency bands for Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR. Only the real availability of an appropriate amount of radio spectrum and not only the designation within the national frequency usage tables encourages manufacturers and operators to make the necessary investments in these radiocommunication technologies. A commitment by CEPT administrations to implement an ECC Decision will provide a clear indication that the required frequency bands will be made available on time.
ECC Decision
of 7 July 2006
on the availability of frequency bands for
the introduction of Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR
in the 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 400 MHz bands
ECC/DEC/(06)06)
''The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations,
considering
a) that there is a need to identify spectrum for the introduction of the narrowband digital land mobile PMR/PAMR in Europe;
b) that in the European Table of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations covering the Frequency Range 9 kHz to 275 GHz (ERC Report 25) the band 150.05 - 153.00 MHz is allocated on a primary basis to both the mobile service (except aeronautical mobile service) and the radio astronomy service and the band 406.1 - 410 MHz is allocated on a primary basis to both the land mobile service and the radio astronomy service whereas footnote 5.149 of the Radio Regulations urges administrations to take all practicable steps to protect the radio astronomy service from harmful interference. Footnote 5.149 also applies to the band 73.0 - 74.6 MHz;
c) that other relevant footnotes of the Radio Regulations should also be taken into account when identifying spectrum for Narrowband Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR;
d) that parts of the bands identified in this Decision are allocated to radio services other than the Land Mobile Service and the usage of these bands may be subject to agreements between neighbouring countries in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations;
e) that ERC Recommendation T/R 25 08 (revised version of 2005) provides recommended channelling arrangements including the duplex spacings;
f) that multilateral/bilateral agreements on frequency coordination in border areas can have an influence on the availability of radio spectrum;
g) that software controlled radio equipment offers flexibility with regard to different frequency availability situations within CEPT administrations;
h) that ECC Report 25 (2003) on the Strategic Plan for PMR/PAMR provides guidelines for the migration from analogue to digital narrow band applications and the migration from narrow band digital to wide band digital applications;
i) that ETSI has published TR 102 335-2 V1.1.1 (2004-11) on ''Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), Part 2, systems operating under individual licences in the existing land mobile service spectrum bands'';
j) that ECC Decision (04)06 identifies the 400 MHz bands also for Wide Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR;
k) that ECC Decision (05)02 identifies part of the band 169.4 - 169.8125 MHz for PMR and other applications;
l) that other relevant ECC Decisions should also be taken into account when identifying spectrum for Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR;
m) that the frequency bands already used or made available for TETRA-25 kHz systems should also be used or made available for other Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR systems, if required;
DECIDES
1. that this Decision covers Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR using channel spacings up to 25 kHz;
2. that in EU/EFTA countries the use of the equipment referred to in this ECC Decision shall comply with the R&TTE Directive. Conformity with the essential requirements in its Article 3(2) may be demonstrated by compliance with harmonised standards EN 300 113-2, EN 300 390-2, EN 303 035-1, EN 303 035-2 or equivalent technical specifications;
3. that a sufficient amount of spectrum shall be made available in response to market demand for Narrow Band Digital Land Mobile PMR/PAMR within one or more of the following bands
- 68-87.5 MHz,
- 146-174 MHz,
- 406.1-410 MHz,
- 410-430 MHz,
- 440-450 MHz,
- 450-470 MHz;
4. that this Decision replaces the previous ECC Decision (02)03;
5. that this Decision enters into force on 7 July 2006;
6. that the preferred* date for implementation of this Decision shall be 1 October 2006;
7. that CEPT administrations shall communicate the national measures implementing this Decision to the ECC Chairman and the Office when the Decision is nationally implemented.''
*Note:
Please check the Office web site (EROhttps://docdb.cept.org/document/category/ECC_Decisions?status=ACTIVE) for the up to date position on the implementation of this and other ECC Decisions.
Consult:
- ECC/DEC/(06)06 https://docdb.cept.org/download/1608
