ECC monthly news summary for September 2015
This summary provides a round up of the main outcomes of ECC Working Group and Project Team meetings and events which have taken place in September 2015.
Included this month:
31 August-2 September: SE 24 finalises a first report on compatibility studies related to extension bands for 5 GHz RLANs and studies for high duty cycle SRDs above 870 MHz
2-4 September: SRD/MG develops material in response to EC Mandate on the 6th update of the EC Decision on SRDs
3-4 September: SE21 assesses the characterisation of unwanted emissions
7-8 September: FM 54 assesses the use and opportunities of the 400MHz PMR/PAMR frequencies
8-9 September: PT TRIS addresses migration from PSTN/ISDN to All-IP networks
8-9 September: SE 19 considers developments for FS above 50 GHz
8-10 September: SE7 resolves comments from consultation on compatibility studies for PPDR and finalises compatibility studies for PMSE
10 September: a tutorial was organised for SEAMCAT beginners
14-18 September: CPG approves the second set of ECPs for WRC-15 and proposals for RA-15
15-16 September: PT FNI agrees contribution to propose revision to ITU-T Recommendation E.212
15-16 September: STG prepares the future release of SEAMCAT version 5.0.0
21-23 September: FM 49 addresses the outcome from public consultation on the ECC Report dealing with harmonised conditions and bands for BB-PPDR
22-24 September: MAR FG initiates the review of the ERC Decision on harmonised examination syllabi for maritime radio operator’s certificates
28 September-2 October: WG SE publishes compatibility studies on BB-PPDR and sends to consultation studies on various topics
29-30 September: PT ES analyses the responses to a questionnaire on the feasibility of an ECO/ECC hosted database to support transnational emergency calls
31 August – 2 September 2015 – The Spectrum Engineering Project Team SE 24, responsible for compatibility studies related to Short Range Devices (SRD), met in Maisons-Alfort, France
SE 24 finalised the first draft ECC report on the compatibility of Radio Local Area Networks (RLANs) with other services in the band 5725-5925 MHz. It will be considered by the next Working Group Spectrum Engineering (WG SE) meeting (28 September-2 October 2015) for approval for public consultation.
SE 24 continued its work on a second draft ECC report on the topic, containing unresolved issues from the first report, as well as further consideration on mitigation techniques for the compatibility between RLANs and EESS in the 5350-5470 MHz band and between RLANs and radiolocation.
SE 24 finalised the draft report on SRDs with duty cycle up to 2.5 % in the band 870-875.6 MHz, which is sent to WG SE for approval for public consultation.
SE 24 also continued its work on:
- Improvements for SRDs in the 862-870 MHz,
- Studies related to road-tolling systems (TTT/DSRC) in the 5805-5815 MHz band.
Details on these items and on other activities are available on the SE 24 webpage.
2-4 September 2015 – The Frequency Management Short Range Devices Maintenance Group (SRD/MG) met in Maisons-Alfort, France
SRD/MG resolved the comments received during public consultation for the revision of ECC Decision (09)01 on Intelligent Transport System (ITS) applications in the band 63-64 GHz and the amended document will be sent to the next Working Group Frequency Management (WG FM) meeting in February 2016 for final consideration before its approval for publication at the ECC meeting in March 2016.
As instructed by WG FM, SRD/MG approved for publication the amended Annex 10 (Radio Microphones including Aids for the Hearing Impaired) of ERC Recommendation 70-03, taking into account the outcome from public consultation. The amendment includes a new entry for ALDs (Assistive Listening Devices) in the band 173.965-216 MHz.
The draft CEPT Report in response to the 6th update of the EC Decision for SRDs was discussed and further developed.
For further details on these items and other activities, see the SRD/MG webpage.
3-4 September 2015 – The Spectrum Engineering Project Team SE21, addressing unwanted emissions, met in Amersfoort, The Netherlands
SE21 made good progress on the refinement of the draft ECC Report on the characterisation of the unwanted emissions. In this context, SE21 is assessing the possibility to introduce in some cases a probabilistic dimension in the characterisation of unwanted emissions limits.
SE21 continued its activity on the collection of relevant receiver parameters and on the role of receiver parameters in spectrum management and sharing studies, with the consideration of relevant material developed by other groups within WG SE.
More details are available on the SE21 webpage.
7-8 September 2015 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 54, dealing with Private/Professional Land Mobile Systems, had its sixth meeting in London, United Kingdom
FM 54 continued the development of the draft ECC Report on ‘Current Use, Future Opportunities and Guidance to Administrations for the 400MHz PMR/PAMR frequencies’. A number of input documents focussed on sharing of PMR/PAMR and on the consideration of spectrum access protocol for this purpose. The meeting also discussed the possibility to develop harmonised technical conditions for LTE in the 400 MHz bands without changing the previous balance with the requirements for other radio applications, especially for PMR/PAMR.
FM 54 also initiated the first required modifications of related ECC deliverables: ECC Decision (04)06 (wideband PMR/PAMR), ECC Decision (06)06 (narrowband PMR/PAMR) and ERC Recommendation T/R 25-08 (Planning criteria and coordination of frequencies in the Land Mobile Service in the range 29.7-921 MHz).
More details are available on the FM 54 webpage.
8-9 September 2015 – The Numbering and Networks Project Team TRIS, responsible for technical and regulatory issues, met in Vilnius, Lithuania
PT TRIS started the development of a Draft ECC Report on migration from PSTN/ISDN to All-IP networks. The Report will examine the technical solutions for migration and the regulatory challenges associated with each of those, particularly in relation to consumer protection. Work will continue on the draft by correspondence in advance of the next PT TRIS meeting (April 2016).
Please check the PT TRIS webpage for further information on the activities of the Project Team.
8-9 September 2015 – The Spectrum Engineering Project Team SE 19, dealing with fixed service (FS), met in Helsinki, Finland
SE19 progressed on the compatibility studies related to Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR) in the 5850-5900 MHz frequency band. The activities will be continued by correspondence.
SE19 updated the draft revision of ECC Report 173 on the use and future trends of fixed service (FS), focussing on the developments in the FS in the millimetre waves bands (frequency bands higher than 50 GHz).
SE19 also initiated a working document towards ECC Report providing guidelines on how to plan MIMO Fixed Service link.
More details are available on the SE19 webpage.
8-10 September 2015 – The Spectrum Engineering Project Team SE 7, responsible for compatibility and sharing issues of the mobile systems (except IMT), met in Lasi, Romania
SE7 resolved the comments received during the public consultation on the draft ECC Reports 239 and 240 dealing with the compatibility studies for broadband Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) applications in the 700 and 400 MHz ranges respectively. Both draft ECC Reports have been amended accordingly and they will be considered at the next WG SE meeting for approval for publication.
SE7 also finalised the following compatibility studies for Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) applications:
- Sharing and compatibility studies for cordless cameras and video links in the frequency bands 2700 – 2900 MHz and 2900 – 3400 MHz;
- Compatibility studies for PMSE (wireless microphones and audio links) in the frequency bands 1492-1518 MHz and 1518-1525 MHz;
- Co-existence between PMSE (wireless microphones) and existing systems in the frequency band 1350-1400 MHz and with systems in adjacent bands.
The related draft ECC Reports will be considered at the next WG SE meeting for approval for public consultation.
Details on these items and on other activities are available on the SE7 webpage.
10 September 2015 – The SEAMCAT Technical Group (STG) organised a tutorial on SEAMCAT use in Helsinki, Finland
The workshop was organised to guide beginners from CEPT administrations and industry into the basics of SEAMCAT. It included a range of tutorials and also some presentations of the latest features of the tool as implemented in the new SEAMCAT 5.0.0 alpha version.
The presentations made at the workshop are available here.
14-18 September 2015 – 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 eight meeting in Bergen, Norway
Approval of the second set of European Common Proposals (ECPs) to WRC-15
CPG15-7 finally adopted the second set of ECPs for signature by CEPT administrations. It covers the following items of the WRC-15 Agenda:
- Agenda Item 1.1 (additional spectrum for the mobile service and International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)): in addition to the various ECPs adopted in June 2015, CPG agreed to propose to retain the current regulatory situation for the band 2700-2900 MHz.
- Agenda item 1.3 (public protection and disaster relief): CPG agreed an ECP which identifies tuning ranges for PPDR operations and leaves specific frequency arrangements to be addressed in ITU-R Recommendations.
- Agenda item 1.4 (allocation to the amateur service around 5.4 MHz): CPG agreed an ECP supporting a secondary allocation to the amateur service in the band 5 350 kHz - 5 450 kHz.
- Agenda item 1.6 (extension of the FSS allocations around 14 GHz): A compromise solution was reached by CPG for a FSS (space-to-Earth) allocation in the frequency band 13.4-13.65 GHz combined with no proposal for FSS (Earth-to-space) allocation.
- Agenda item 1.8 (earth stations located on board vessels (ESVs)): CPG agreed an ECP where ESVs are allowed to operate at shorter distances from the low-water mark than those currently indicated in the Radio Regulations.
- Agenda Item 1.18 (primary allocation to the Radiolocation service in the band 77.5 -78.0 GHz in support to automotive applications): CPG agreed a compromise solution supporting a primary allocation to the radiolocation service along with a footnote specifying general technical characteristics of radars operating in the band and a call for additional technical studies at the ITU-R for new radar applications.
- Agenda item 7 (improvements in the regulatory procedures for frequency assignments pertaining to space services): in addition to the ECPs already adopted in June 2015, CPG adopted 5 new proposals on this topic, including one on a new issue which have not been considered at ITU level.
- Agenda item 10 (proposals for the WRC-19 Agenda): CPG adopted an ECP which contains 12 items for inclusion in the WRC-19 Agenda. In particular concerning the proposed agenda item on IMT above 6 GHz supporting 5G, CPG agreed a list of candidate bands on which studies towards WRC-19 should focus upon.
- Global Flight Tracking: a new ECP was adopted, which proposes a new allocation for the satellite reception of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) emissions from aircraft in accordance with ICAO standards. This is combined with a proposal for a new agenda item for WRC-19, as included in the ECP on WRC-15 agenda item 10 (see above), to address the objective of achieving a global air traffic surveillance and management system.
Other items
- Agenda Item 1.2 (use of the frequency band 694-790 MHz by the mobile service): due to progressing consultations between CEPT and RCC countries, CPG decided to postpone the decision regarding issue C (sharing conditions between the mobile service and the aeronautical radionavigation service) until cross-border coordination is finalised. CEPT will consider presenting its final position the week before the start of WRC-15.
- No ECPs were agreed on agenda item 1.5 (use of fixed-satellite service (FSS) bands for unmanned aircraft systems) and agenda Item 1.14 (continuous reference time-scale).
- CPG also approved the set of CEPT Briefs on all the items covered by the WRC-15 Agenda.
Preparation for the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-15)
CPG adopted seven ECPs for the RA-15 covering a range of topics including: support to changes of the working methods proposed within ITU-R, adoption of ITU-R Recommendations to support the use of the 700 MHz band by the mobile service, development of small satellites and a new question regarding the use of optical links for broadband communications.
Please check the CPG page for additional information about the CEPT preparation for WRC-15 (including the final versions of ECPs and CEPT Briefs) and for RA-15.
15-16 September 2015 – The Numbering and Networks Project Team FNI, responsible for future numbering issues, met in Lisbon, Portugal
PT FNI finalised a second ECC contribution to ITU-T Study Group 2 which proposes changes to ITU-T Recommendation E.212 aimed at bringing the eligibility criteria for Mobile Network Codes (MNCs) in line with the evolving mobile services supply chain and at recognising the need for national level discretion in the decision-making process. The contribution will be considered by an ITU-T special Rapporteurs Meeting in Geneva on 6-9 October 2015.
PT FNI progresses on the development of a Draft ECC Recommendation on Extra-territorial Use of E.164 numbers - High Level Principles for Assignment and Use. It will be finalised by correspondence and then submitted to the October meeting of Working Group Numbering and Networks (WG NaN) for approval to proceed for public consultation.
Further information on these items and on other activities is available on the PT FNI webpage.
15-16 September 2015 – The SEAMCAT Technical Group (STG), responsible for the technical support and development of the spectrum engineering software SEAMCAT, met in Kista, Sweden
STG reviewed the most recent developments and corrections brought to the SEAMCAT software and agreed on the timetable towards the official release of the new version 5.0.0 scheduled for the 1st of December 2015.
STG also progressed on the extensive review of the “SEAMCAT user manual”, to accommodate the new features and graphical changes to the version 5.0.0. This task will continue by correspondence.
Further details are available on the STG webpage and general information on SEAMCAT, including the online user manual can be found on the SEAMCAT page.
21-23 September 2015 – The Frequency Management Project Team FM 49, dealing with spectrum for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) applications, met in Maisons-Alfort, France
After consideration of the outcome from the public consultation, FM 49 agreed on the draft new ECC Report 218 on the 'harmonised conditions and spectrum bands for the implementation of future European broadband PPDR systems'. It is submitted to the WGFM extra-ordinary meeting (1-2 October 2015) for final consideration and approval for publication.
The 700 MHz Option E for BB-PPDR (2*10 MHz within the MFCN duplex gap 733-758 MHz) is not proposed any longer to be included in a future ECC harmonisation deliverable for BB-PPDR.
In addition, FM 49 agreed to invite WG FM to consider whether the 410-430 MHz band should be addressed further for ECC harmonisation for BB-PPDR due to spectrum compatibility issues, lack of standardisation activities and a limited interest from CEPT administrations for possible BB-PPDR use in this band.
FM49 also proposes WG FM to inform 3GPP RAN 4 and ETSI about the results set out in ECC Report 218, since there is a related current new work item in 3GPP RAN4.
Further information is available on the FM 49 webpage.
22-24 September 2015 – The Frequency Management forum group on maritime radiocommunications (FM MAR FG), met in Helsinki, Finland
FM MAR FG started a new review process for ERC Decision (99)01 on the harmonised examination syllabi for the General Operator's Certificate (GOC) and the Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC). This review, requested by the ECC in June 2015 when the amended ERC Decision (99)01 was approved for publication, will be carried out within the next 2 years. The meeting agreed to organise a questionnaire next year with the aim to receive more information from CEPT administrations.
FM MAR FG agreed a reply liaison statement to the ADCO R&TTE to consider how Article 3.3e of the Radio Equipment Directive could be invoked for devices that use AIS-SART type transmissions as defined in Recommendation ITU-R M.1371 and satisfy functional requirements to guarantee communication with emergency services.
FM MAR FG also checked the information displayed on the ECC website for Personal Locator Beacons (PLB's), the Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), the UHF frequencies authorised in CEPT Countries for Maritime on-board Communications and the Contact points for verification of maritime radio operator's certificates.
Further details are available on the Maritime FG webpage.
28 September-2 October 2015 – The Working Group Spectrum Engineering (WG SE) had its 71st meeting in Lyon, France
WG SE approved the following deliverables prepared within its Project Teams:
For publication on the ECO document database:
- ECC Report 239 on compatibility and sharing studies for Broadband Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) systems operating in the 700 MHz range;
- ECC Report 240 on compatibility studies regarding Broadband PPDR and other radio applications in the bands 410 -430/ 450-470 MHz and in adjacent bands.
For public consultation:
- Draft ECC Report 243 on compatibility studies for wireless video links in the frequency bands 2700-2900 MHz and 2900-3400 MHz;
- Draft ECC Report 244 on compatibility studies related to RLANs in 5725-5925 MHz. A complementary report covering both bands 5350-5470 and 5725-5925 MHz and addressing the potential mitigation techniques is under development.
- Draft ECC Report 245 on compatibility studies between wireless microphones and other systems / services in the band 1350-1400 MHz.
- Draft ECC Report 246 on studies related to wideband and higher duty Short Range Devices in 870-875.8 MHz and 915.2-920.8 MHz. It complements the existing ECC Report 200.
- Draft ECC Report 247 on the description of the software tool for the processing of measurements obtained at the Leeheim station on the IRIDIUM unwanted emissions.
WG SE has not adopted the draft ECC Report on studies for wireless microphones in the 1492-1525 MHz band. The responsible Project Team, SE7, will reconsider this study.
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.
29-30 September 2015 – The Numbering and Networks Project Team ES, responsible for emergency services, met in Stockholm, Sweden
PT ES analysed the results of a questionnaire aimed at assessing the level of interest in Europe to an ECC/ECO hosted database to facilitate inter-PSAP (public-safety answering point) communications. 32 responses from emergency services organisations in 23 CEPT countries were received. The overall response was very positive, useful information was provided and some valid questions were raised that can be used to inform a feasibility study on the matter. Work on the feasibility study will continue in advance of the next meeting in February 2016.
Further details are available on the PT ES webpage.
Updated: 21 September 2022, 10:05