The ECC had its 53rd plenary meeting (online) from 29 June - 3 July 2020. It gathered approximately 120 participants representing 35 CEPT administrations, counsellors and observers. The ECC meeting approved a number of ECC deliverables related to Radio Local Area Networks(RLAN) in the 6 GHz, Railway Mobile Radio (RMR) and MFCN/5G. It is relevant to mention that the ECC has agreed on the final CEPT Report 74 (Report A) answering tasks 1 to 4 of the Mandate from the European Commission to CEPT on spectrum for the Future Railway Mobile Communications System (FRMCS) as well as on the final ECC Report 309 on aerial UEs, including drones.
The details can be found in the minutes of 53rd plenary meeting.
Here is a summary of the outcome from the meeting.
Final approval of deliverables for publication:
The ECC meeting adopted for publication the following ECC deliverables:
- CEPT Report 74 on “spectrum for the future railway mobile communications system (FRMCS) (Report A: Spectrum needs and feasibility (tasks 1 to 4))”
The ECC resolved all outstanding issues resulting from the comments received during the public consultation. It has to be noted that some areas of this CEPT Report were deeply discussed on the basis of the outcome of the technical studies of ECC Report 318 “Compatibility between RMR and MFCN in the 900 MHz range, the 1900-1920 MHz band and the 2290-2300 MHz band”.
- ECC Report 318 on “Compatibility between RMR and MFCN in the 900 MHz range, the 1900-1920 MHz band and the 2290-2300 MHz band”
The ECC resolved all the outstanding issues in particular concerning MFCN in 1920-1980 MHz band, i.e. in relation to the BS improved selectivity for the protection of uncoordinated deployment of FRMCS in 1900-1910 MHz and on the additional studies that may be required in case AAS systems are considered for MFCN.
- ECC Report 309 on “Analysis of the usage of aerial UEs for communication in current MFCN harmonised bands”
The ECC discussed and resolved the issues on coexistence between UAS operating in 1920-1980 MHz and CGC base stations in 1980-2010 MHz as well as the cross-border coordination with FSS earth stations in the 3400-3800 MHz frequency band.
- ECC Report 317 on “Toolkit to assist administrations who are considering authorisation regimes for 26 GHz other than individual rights of use”
The ECC considered the outcome of the public consultation as presented by ECC PT1. No further issues were raised apart from the need to update the reference to the current version of ECC Decision (18)06, which is currently under PC.
Approval of draft deliverables for Public Consultation:
The ECC adopted for public consultation the following ECC deliverables:
- Draft CEPT Report 75 on “WAS/RLAN in the 5925-6425 MHz (Report B: Harmonised technical parameters for WAS/RLANs operating on a coexistence basis with appropriate mitigation techniques and/or operational compatibility/coexistence conditions, operating on the basis of a general) authorisation”
- Draft ECC Decision (20)01 on “Harmonised use of the frequency bands 5 945 to 6 425 MHz for the implementation of Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLANs)”
- Draft CEPT Report 76 on “spectrum for the future railway mobile communications system (FRMCS) (Report B: EU-harmonised technical conditions for the future railway mobile radio communications system (Task 5))”
- Draft ECC Decision (20)02 on “Harmonised use of the paired frequency bands 874.4-880.0 MHz and 919.4-925.0 MHz and of the unpaired frequency band 1900-1910 MHz for Railway Mobile Radio (RMR)”
- Draft revision ECC Decision (18)06 “Harmonised technical conditions for Mobile/Fixed Communications Networks (MFCN) in the band 24.25-27.5 GHz”
Other issues:
The ECC adopted for publication the new ECC strategic plan covering the period 2020-2025, taking into account a few minor amendments made to the output of the previous (52nd) ECC meeting plenary meeting. See 2020-2025 ECC Strategic Plan for further details.
- Second EC Mandate on 5G (900/1800 MHz/2GHz/ 2.6GHz)
The ECC noted the complex technical questions dealt with by ECC PT1 on least restrictive technical conditions (LRTC) for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, in particular on application of a generic BEM to GSM and the consideration of FRMCS as an adjacent system at 900 MHz. Both aspects were discussed, and agreement was found on the way forward. Moreover, the ECC has also agreed on a set of high-level principles and objectives to have in mind when drafting the LRTC for the 900 and 1800 MHz.
The ECC considered the third EC Mandate on 5G (40 GHz / 70 GHz) as well as the EC Mandate on WAS/RLANs in 5150-5250 MHz, 5250-5350 MHz and 5470-5725 MHz. In relation to the third EC mandate on 5G, the ECC assigned tasks 1, 2 and 4 (dealing with 40.5-43.5 GHz) to ECC PT1 whereas task 3 (harmonisation of the 66-71 GHz) was assigned to WG FM. The EC mandate on WAS/RLAN on the 5 GHz frequency band will be managed by WG FM.
- Draft questionnaire on free circulation and use as well as on exemption from individual licensing
The ECC agreed to the draft questionnaire on free circulation and use, and licence exemption of mobile terminals to get a better view of whether these provisions are still needed in the ECC Decisions.
- Interference from 5 GHz WAS/RLAN to meteorological radars (5600 - 5650 MHz)
ECC tasked WG FM to consider how to address the issue of interference to meteorological radars, in particular by reviewing the ECC 5 GHz WAS/RLAN Action Plan (from November 2017). ECC also tasked WG FM to start investigations on the possible use of the 5350-5470 MHz band by meteorological radars.
Various new/revised work items were discussed and agreed, including on modelling of 5G AAS commercially available equipment, satellite use in Q&V bands (addressing 37.5-40.5 GHz, 47.2-50.2 GHz and 50.4-52.4 GHz), application of harmonised technical conditions for indoor small cells operating in the band 3400-3800 MHz and terrestrial use of the bands 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz compatibility with MSS/CGC operations.
- Industry participation in the ECC
The ECC asked the ECC SG to consider further the issue of industry participation – including information currently on the CEPTECO website – and asked the ECC SG to report back to ECC.
The ECC noted that preparation for the satellite workshop, planned for 25 and 26 November, is ongoing. It also noted that a final decision on whether this workshop will go ahead will be taken in September.
Next meeting
The next 54th plenary meeting of ECC is scheduled for November (17th – 20th) in Berlin, Germany (TBC).