ECC monthly news summary for September 2014

1-5 September 2014 – The ECC Project Team PT1 on IMT and other communications networks in the mobile and fixed services met in Zagreb, Croatia

ECC PT1 considered and resolved the comments received during the public consultation on the draft CEPT Report in response to the EC Mandate on the 700 MHz band. This led to a revised version of draft CEPT Report 53, containing in particular updates of the set of relevant Block-Edge Masks and clarifications about the sub-options for the usage of the duplex gap and guard bands covering PMSE, PPDR and other services on a national basis. In particular, the potential use of the bands 733-736 MHz and 788-791 MHz for Machine-to-Machine applications is under study. Draft CEPT Report 53 will be further considered for final approval for publication at the 38^th ECC Plenary meeting on 25-28 November 2014.

In addition, ECC PT1 completed the draft ECC Decision for harmonised technical conditions for MFCN in 700 MHz, which is consistent with the findings of CEPT Report 53. The Decision will be submitted to the next ECC Plenary for approval for public consultation.

ECC PT1 launched the activities on the possible revision of ECC DEC (05)05 on 'Harmonised utilisation of spectrum for IMT-200/UMTS systems operating within the band 2500-2690 MHz'.

ECC PT1 also developed and agreed a draft ECC Recommendation on ‘Cross-border coordination for mobile/fixed communications networks (MFCN) in the frequency bands 1452-1492 MHz, 3400-3600 MHz and 3600-3800 MHz’. The draft ECC Recommendation will be considered for approval for public consultation at the WG FM meeting on 6-10 October 2014.

The group has also continued working on a draft ECC Report on Mobile Communications on board Vessels and on a draft ECC Report on coverage obligations.

More details are available on the ECC PT1 webpage.

1-5 September 2014 – The Conference Preparatory Group Project Team D (which is preparing for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) on WRC-15 agenda items 1.1 and 1.2) had its seventh meeting in Zagreb, Croatia

The meeting made good progress on WRC-15 Agenda Items 1.1 (additional spectrum for the mobile service and IMT) and 1.2 (use of the frequency band 694-790 MHz by the mobile service) and amended the draft CEPT Briefs for both items.

For AI 1.1, CPG PTD further developed the draft European Common Proposals (ECPs) covering the supported bands for IMT(1427-1452, 1452-1492, 3400-3600 and 3600-3800 MHz) and the other one proposing no change for the bands not supported by CEPT (1300-1350 MHz, 1518-1525 MHz, 1695-1710 MHz, 2025-2110 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz,2900-3100 MHz, 3300-3400 MHz, 4400- 4500 MHz, 4500 - 4800 MHz, 4800 - 4990 MHz and 5350 - 5470 MHz).
In addition, PTD continued its activities, including the consideration of compatibility studies, on other candidate bands, in particular the bands 1350-1400 MHz, 1492-1518 MHz, 2.7-2.9 GHz, 3.8-4.2 GHz and 5725-5850 MHz.
For AI 1.2, CPG PTD considered proposals for ECPs on the compatibility between the mobile service and the broadcasting service, on the compatibility between the mobile service and the aeronautical radionavigation service, and on the tuning ranges for PMSE. A working document has been developed for further consideration.

Further details are available on the CPG PTD webpage. Please check the CPG page for additional information about CEPT preparations for WRC-15 (including latest versions of draft CEPT Briefs).

2-3 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 49, dealing with spectrum for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) applications, met at the ECO, Copenhagen, Denmark

FM 49 further developed draft ECC Report 218 on the harmonised conditions and spectrum bands for the implementation of future European broadband PPDR systems. The Report currently describes three basic frequency options for BB-PPDR in the 400 MHz and 700 MHz frequency bands and further developments are pending the results of the ongoing spectrum compatibility studies in Working Group SE (Project Team SE 7).

Further information is available on the FM 49 webpage.

3-5 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 44, dealing with satellite communications, met at the ECO, Copenhagen, Denmark

FM 44 completed the development of a new draft ECC Report on the regulatory and technical aspects applicable to the use of Earth Stations On Mobile Platforms (ESOMPs) operating in non- geostationary (NGSO) networks in the Ka-band. The Report will be submitted to the WG FM meeting in October for approval for public consultation. In addition, a new draft ECC Decision on NGSO ESOMPs is under development.

FM 44 further developed the draft ECC Report on uncoordinated Ka-Band FSS earth stations operating in 17.3-17.7/17.7-19.7/19.7-20.2 GHz downlink (DL) frequencies and 27.5-29.5/29.5-30 GHz uplink (UL) frequencies. The report will be discussed at the next WG FM meeting for guidance, in particular, on the possible measures to facilitate the introduction of such stations and improving the sharing with the Fixed Service (FS).

FM 44 also agreed a questionnaire for issue to administrations on national authorisation conditions and proceedings for satellites (space segments).

In addition, FM 44 made good progress on a new draft ECC Report on Carrier Identification (CID) analysing the possible benefits of CID for several satellite services to avoid harmful interferences.

Details on these items and on other activities are available on the FM 44 webpage.

4-5 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 54, dealing with Private/Professional Land Mobile Systems, especially for the Railways, had its second meeting at the ECO, Copenhagen, Denmark

FM 54 further developed the work on the draft ECC Report on Guidance for improving coexistence between Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway (GSM-R) and MFCN. The ECC Report is expected to show different examples for coordination processes between GSM-R and MFCN operators taking into account the national needs and available tools/information. The draft ECC Report should be finalised by the end of 2014 for submission to the WG FM meeting in February 2015 for public consultation.

FM 54 analysed the responses to the questionnaire on spectrum use information for the 400 MHz Private Mobile Radio/ Public Access Mobile Radio (PMR/PAMR) frequencies. On this basis, FM 54 agreed to start developing a draft ECC Report on PMR/PAMR and identified the main issues to be addressed. FM 54 also agreed to publish on the ECC website a document which includes links to designated contacts in CEPT administrations with respect to PMR/PAMR.

More details are available on the FM 54 webpage.

9-10 September 2014 – The Numbering and Networks Project Team TRIS, responsible for technical and regulatory issues, met in Przno, Montenegro

PT TRIS finalised the development of the draft ECC Recommendation on Provision of comparable information on Retail Internet Access Service Quality. The draft Recommendation will now be submitted to the October meeting of WG NaN for adoption for public consultation.

PT TRIS agreed to stop its work on the development of a new ECC Report on practical approaches to Infrastructure Mapping as a comprehensive study commissioned by the EU has been published by TUV Rheinland on the topic. PT TRIS is now considering a refocus of activities on the IT aspects of Infrastructure Mapping Projects.

Please check the PT TRIS webpage for further information on the activities of the Project Team.

9-10 September 2014 – The ECO Frequency Information System Management Group (EFIS/MG) met in Biel, Switzerland

EFIS/MG considered the latest updates brought to EFIS such as the inclusion of information related to the Fixed service use and information from the ECO Report 03 on the licensing of 'Mobile bands' in CEPT.

EFIS/MG also identified the required improvements for the near future and discussed the EFIS application terminology.

Further details are available on the EFIS/MG webpage.

9-11 September 2014 – The Frequency Management forum group on maritime radiocommunications (FM MAR FG), met in Bonn, Germany

FM MAR FG developed a draft Questionnaire on contact points for verification of maritime radio operator's certificates. This was sent to WG FM for approval and circulation to CEPT administrations.

FM MAR FG continued its review of ECC deliverables relating to maritime issues and made, in particular, some progress on the revision of ERC Decision(99)01 on the harmonised examination syllabi for the General Operator's Certificate (GOC) and the Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC), and on the revision of ERC Recommendation 31-06 on the harmonised content of certificates issued by administrations for the GOC and ROC in order to facilitate the mutual recognition of these certificates.

FM MAR FG identified the need for a market surveillance campaign related to Automatic Identification System Search and Rescue Transmitter (AIS-SART) and will submit this proposal to WG FM for endorsement and submission to the next ADCO RTTE meeting.

Further details are available on the Maritime FG webpage.

9-12 September 2014 – The Conference Preparatory Group Project Team B, preparing for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) on items dealing with satellite issues (both allocation and regulatory procedures), met at the ECO, Copenhagen, Denmark

CPG PTB has updated the draft ECP (European Common Proposal) on WRC-15 agenda items 1.7 (provisions related to the Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) in the band 5091-5150 MHz); 1.9.1 (new primary FSS allocations in the bands 7150-7250 MHz and 8400-8500 MHz with associated provisions to ensure the protection of the Space Research service); and 9.1.1 (protection of the mobile-satellite service in the band 406-406.1 MHz).

In addition, PTB agreed to develop some new ECPs, in particular on the following agenda items:

Agenda item 1.8: review of the provisions related to earth stations located on board vessels (ESVs);
Agenda item 1.9.2: support for an allocation to the maritime-mobile satellite service (MMSS) (space-to-Earth) in the frequency band 7375-7750 MHz with provisions to ensure the compatibility with existing services. No allocation to the MMSS in the band 8025-8400 MHz;
On agenda item 7, dealing with the review of the regulatory procedures for frequency assignments pertaining to satellite networks, PTB agreed a draft ECP regarding the general use of modern electronic means of communications in coordination and notification procedures. Other issues on this agenda are still under consideration.

The draft CEPT briefs under PTB responsibility have been updated including, where appropriate, the respective preliminary CEPT positions.

Further details are available on the CPG PTB webpage. Please check the CPG page for additional information about CEPT preparation for WRC-15 (including latest versions of draft CEPT Briefs).

9-12 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 52, responsible for the development of implementation measures for MFCN in the frequency band 2300-2400 MHz, met in Amersfoort, the Netherlands

FM 52 has completed the draft CEPT Report B1 dealing with technical conditions for the shared use of the band 2.3-2.4 GHz in response to tasks 2.1 and 2.2 of the European Commission Mandate on the 2.3-2.4 GHz band. This will be sent to WG FM (6-10 October 2014) for approval and submission to the ECC for public consultation. The draft Report describes possible options for the shared use of the band between WBB and the incumbent use and associated measures to implement these options as part of a Licensed Shared Access (LSA) sharing framework.

FM 52 has also considered the comments received during the public consultation on draft CEPT Report 55 dealing with the technical conditions for wireless broadband usage of the 2300-2400 MHz frequency band in response to task 1 of the EC Mandate. A revised version of the draft Report has been developed. This will be sent to the October 2014 meeting of WG FM for approval and submission to the ECC for publication.

More details are available on the FM 52 webpage.

15-19 September 2014 – The Working Group Spectrum Engineering (WG SE) had its 68^th meeting in Cork, Ireland

WG SE approved the following deliverables prepared within its Project Teams:
For publication on the ECO document database:

ECC Recommendation (14)06: Implementation of Fixed Service Point-to-Point narrow channels (3.5 MHz, 1.75 MHz, 0.5 MHz, 0.25 MHz, 0.025 MHz) in the guard bands and centre gaps of the lower 6 GHz (5925-6425 MHz) and upper 6 GHz (6425 – 7125 MHz) bands;
Revision of ERC Recommendation 14-01: Radio-frequency channel arrangements for high capacity analogue and digital radio-relay systems operating in the band 5925 MHz - 6425 MHz;
Revision of ERC Recommendation 14-02: Radio-frequency channel arrangements for high, medium and low capacity digital Fixed Service systems operating in the band 6425-7125 MHz;
ECC Report 220: Compatibility and sharing studies of DA2GC, PMSE video links, SRD and DECT in the 2 GHz unpaired bands;
ECC Report 221: Adjacent band compatibility between MFCN and PMSE audio applications in the 700 MHz frequency band;
ECC Report 222: Impact of Surveillance Radar equipment operating in the 76 to 79 GHz range for helicopter application on radio systems.

For public consultation:

Draft revision of ERC/REC 12-11 on radio frequency channel arrangements for fixed service systems operating in the bands 48.5-50.2 GHz and 50.9-52.6 GHz;
Draft revision of ERC/REC 12-12 on radio frequency channel arrangement for fixed service systems operating in the band 55.78-57.0 GHz;
Draft ECC Report 226 on the unwanted emissions of IRIDIUM satellites in the band 1610.6-1613.8 MHz, monitoring campaign 2013;
Draft ECC Report 227 on compatibility studies for Mobile/Fixed Communication Networks (MFCN) Supplemental Downlink (SDL) operating in the 1452-1492 MHz band;
Draft ECC Report 228 on compatibility studies between Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the band 5855-5925 MHz and other systems in adjacent bands.

WG SE also approved five new work items for inclusion in its work programme.

Details on these items and on other activities are available on the WG SE webpage.

16-19 September 2014 – The Conference Preparatory Group Project Team C, preparing for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) on items related to aeronautical, maritime, radiodetermination and radio amateur issues, had a meeting at the ECO, Copenhagen, Denmark

CPG PTC updated CEPT briefs, including preliminary CEPT positions, on the six agenda items under its responsibility.

CPG PTC also further developed the draft ECP (European Common Proposal) on WRC-15 agenda items 1.15 (provisions for a more efficient usage of the existing frequencies for on-board communication stations in the maritime mobile service for safe ship operations); 1.17 (proposing an allocation to the Aeronautical Mobile (Route) Service in the band 4200-4400 MHz to support wireless avionics intra-communications (WAIC)); and 1.18 (primary allocation to the Radiolocation service in the band 77.5 -78.0 GHz in support to automotive applications). Work is still ongoing on the detailed provisions related to these proposals.

CPG PTC created a new draft ECP on WRC-15 agenda item 1.16 (new Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology applications for maritime radiocommunication). It includes new secondary allocations to the maritime Mobile-satellite service in parts of the band 157.1875–162.0125 MHz, with associated technical and regulatory provisions.

CPG PTC is still assessing various options for the agenda items 1.4 (amateur service within the band 5250-5450 kHz) and 1.5 (use of frequency bands allocated to the fixed-satellite service for the control and non-payload communications of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)).

CPG PTC had also some initial consideration on the issue of global flight tracking, taking into account the related ITU-R activities and prepared a status report to CPG on the topic.

Further details are available on the CPG PTC webpage. Please check the CPG page for additional information about CEPT preparation for WRC-15 (including latest versions of draft CEPT Briefs).

18-19 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 55, dealing with Wireless Access Systems, including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs), in the 5 GHz band, had its first meeting in London, United Kingdom

FM 55, as the leading group for CEPT’s response to the EC Mandate on the 5 GHz extension bands for WAS/RLANs, has developed draft CEPT Report A in response to tasks (1) and (2) of the Mandate. It takes into account the results and status of the compatibility and sharing studies performed in other groups within the ECC (CPG PTD and SE 24) and also the corresponding activities at the ITU-R. The draft CEPT Report will be further discussed in WG FM in October and will be considered for approval for public consultation at the 38th ECC Plenary meeting on 25-28 November 2014.

The draft CEPT Report also identified the open issues related to further studies (particularly on possible mitigation techniques) that are still ongoing for both bands 5350-5470 and 5725-5925 MHz under consideration. The results of these further studies are expected to be provided in a subsequent CEPT Report under task (3) of the EC Mandate.

More details are available on the FM55 webpage.

19 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Correspondence Group on the future use of the unpaired 2 GHz bands had a meeting in Lisbon, Portugal

The group resolved all the comments received during the public consultation on draft CEPT Report 52 in response to the EC Mandate to undertake studies on the harmonised technical conditions for the 1900-1920 MHz and 2010-2025 MHz frequency bands. The resulting revised version will be submitted to the October meeting of WG FM for final discussions and is then expected to be approved by the next ECC meeting in November for publication. The draft Report still includes two possible scenarios for DA2GC systems and foresees DA2GC, PMSE and general authorised applications (such as DECT, SRDs) as new alternative usages in the unpaired 2 GHz bands (1900-1920/2010-2025 MHz).

23-26 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 22, responsible for monitoring and enforcement, met at the ECO, Copenhagen, Denmark

FM 22 resolved the comments received during the public consultation on the draft revision of ECC Report 44 on radio usage at special events. The revised draft Report will be submitted to the WG FM meeting in October for final approval for publication.

The next edition of the annual interference statistics questionnaire was agreed. This will cover the interference cases reported in 2014 and the questionnaire is expected to be launched in February 2015.

FM 22 also agreed the next steps for the HF monitoring campaign, which should continue at least until 2018.

Details on these items and on other activities are available on the FM 22 webpage.

23-26 September 2014 – The Conference Preparatory Group (CPG), the lead group for CEPT preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) and the Radiocommunication Assembly 2015 (RA-15), had its fifth meeting in Marseille, France

CPG15-5 adopted 10 new draft European Common Proposals (ECPs) (Agenda items 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 1.9.2, 1.12, 1.13, 2, 7, 9.1.4, 9.1.6) and gave guidance to its PTs about their future development. Overall CPG is currently working on 21 draft ECPs.

Most of the remaining draft ECPs are expected for CPG15-6 (3 – 6 February 2015, Malta).

The preliminary CEPT positions on all Agenda items for WRC-15 have been updated by CPG15-5. New CEPT coordinators have been approved for AIs 1.9, 1.15, 9.1.2 and 7 and the CPG has invited Administrations to consider providing Coordinators for the still open Agenda Items.

On Agenda Item 1.1 (additional spectrum for the mobile service and IMT), CPG further developed the band-by-band approach by modifying categorisation in the list of bands and endorsed a draft new ECP consisting of two parts, one proposing IMT identification in a number of bands (1427-1492 MHz and 3400-3800 MHz) and the other one proposing no change for a list of bands not supported by CEPT for IMT allocation.

Concerning Agenda Item 1.2 (use of the frequency band 694-790 MHz by the mobile service), CPG supports a common coordination approach and advised the concerned administrations accordingly to initiate a coordination process between the mobile and aeronautical radionavigation services. CPG suggested the way forward for the development of a new draft ECP based on the Geneva-06 provisions for the compatibility between the mobile and broadcasting services.

Regarding Agenda Item 1.6 (FSS additional allocation in the range 10-17 GHz), CPG identified the band 13.4 - 13.75 GHz for an allocation to FSS (space-to-Earth). Further consideration is needed on the mitigation techniques with regard to possible allocations to FSS (Earth-to-space).

Concerning Agenda Item 1.12 (extension of the allocation to the EESS active at 9 GHz) CPG decided to continue working on the option of additional allocation in the bands 9 200 - 9 300 MHz and 9 900 - 10 400 MHz.

Concerning Issue 9.1.5 (VSATs in the 3.4-4.2 GHz band), CPG discussed the general appropriateness of any proposal related to national issues, even in a non-mandatory manner. CPG PTB was tasked to consider this issue further taking into account the overall context of this issue.

Concerning Issue 9.1.8 (nano- and pico- satellites), CPG tasked CPG PTA to develop a Draft Resolution in time for CPM15-2 highlighting the technical and regulatory aspects to be further studied.

CPG also tasked CPG PTC to monitor the latest developments related to global flight tracking, in particular the outcome from the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-14) and to develop a CEPT brief on the issue if appropriate.

CPG initiated a correspondence activity between the next meetings of CPG on the preparation for the Radiocommunication Assembly 2015 (RA-15). The RA-15 has to consider among others proposals to revise Resolution ITU-R 1-6 on the working methods of ITU-R study groups.

Please check the CPG page for additional information about the CEPT preparation for WRC-15 (including latest versions of draft ECPs and CEPT Briefs).

25-26 September 2014 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 51, dealing with spectrum for programme making and special events applications (PMSE), met in Cardiff, United Kingdom

FM 51 considered the comments received during the public consultation on draft ECC Report 219 on Characteristics of PMSE digital video links to be used in compatibility and sharing studies. As a result, a revised version of the draft ECC Report 219 was agreed and will be sent to the October 2014 meeting of WG FM for approval for publication.

FM 51 also developed a draft questionnaire to CEPT administrations on the use of bands within the range 7/8 GHz for video PMSE applications. This will also be submitted to the October 2014 meeting of WG FM for approval.

Details on these items and on other activities are available on the FM51 webpage.

Updated: 21 September 2022, 10:05