The 31st meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC) of the European Commission (EC) took place last 17 March in Brussels.
The gathering focused on issues concerning the implementation of Commission Decision 2005/513/EC, modified by 2007/90/EC (RLAN in 5 GHz), Decision 2008/411/EC (3.4-3.8 GHz band) and Decision 2008/477/EC (2.5-2.69 GHz band). Regarding the application of two decisions adopted in 2009, the Commission’s services summarised the questionnaire responses submitted by the member States following the 30th RSC meeting.
Ofcom gave a presentation on potential interference by aeronautic radars in the 2.7 GHz band, a problem stemming from application of Decision 2008/477/EC on the 2.5-2.69 GHz band. A favourable opinion was obtained vis-à-vis the verbal regulation procedure for the EC draft decision on harmonised technical conditions for using the 790-862 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems able to provide electronic communication services in the European Union (EU). The Commission is expected to adopt this decision in late April 2010.
Also presented was the result of the opinion on regulation by written procedure for the Commission decision on mobile communication on vessels (MCV), which was positively endorsed. The MCV recommendation was also positively endorsed by the Communications Committee (COCOM) via written procedure on the same day, 8 February 2010. The Commission was expected to adopt both legal acts on 19 March 2010. The Commission also informed the RSC that the written regulation procedure on the third update of the appendix to Decision 2006/771/EC on short range devices (SRD) was to run from 23 March to 9 April.
The meeting also included presentation of the draft final report in response to part 2 of the EC mandate on anti-collision short-range radars (SRR) for vehicles, which is being subject to a public consultation. The matter is expected to be discussed at the RSC meeting in July.
The RSC also agreed to the request to extend the deadline for submitting the CEPT response to the Commission mandate on the 900/1800 MHz band. CEPT presented the results of progress on the draft final report in response to the EC mandate for CEPT regarding the 2 GHz band.
Representatives of the terrestrial wireless and satellite industries put forward a joint proposal on the main principles and co-ordination process for co-ordinating fixed satellite service (FSS) and broadband wireless access (BWA) services in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band in the EU. The chairman concluded that the fundamental principles contained in the document presented by the WiMax Forum and REG SAP can be supported. As for the proposed co-ordination procedure, it was commonly understood that same is not mandatory and that member States can use their criteria, given that several member States have suitable national procedures.
Lastly, consensus was reached on the 2010 Working Programme, which considers harmonisation measures, activities to monitor current issues, possible new RSC questions and upholding and applying existing decisions.
The next RSC meeting has been scheduled for 7-8 July 2010.
