The World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12) opened in Geneva, Switzerland on 23 January 2012.
During the third week of the conference, meetings of the various groups and subgroups of the technical committees continued, with the following results reported:
- General consensus not to proceed with amendments in respect of the convergence of space services, following the studies on increasing flexibility in the use of radio spectrum and the introduction of amendments to the Radio Regulations (RR) to make it more permeable to new technological developments and convergence of services (agenda item 1.2);
- Definition of recommended levels of unwanted emissions from stations of the fixed service at 81-86/92-94 GHz, in order to protect the Earth exploration-satellite service in the 86-92 GHz band. Some modifications were agreed to Resolutions 731 and 732 (WRC-00), which provide a framework for continuation of studies on active services (including the fixed service) in bands above 71 GHz (agenda item 1.8);
- Approval of the allocation of 156.7625-156.7875 MHz and 156.8125-156.8375 MHz frequency bands to the mobile satellite service (Earth-space) for Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). Approval was also given to the allocation of 161.9625-161.9875 MHz and 162.0125-162.0375 MHz frequency bands, for use of stations on board aircraft for search and rescue operations and other security-related communications. In these frequency bands, fixed and land mobile services may not interfere with or claim protection from the maritime mobile service (agenda item 1.10);
- The allocation of the 42 to 42.5 MHz band for oceanographic radar use (agenda item 1.15);
- Agreement on a new footnote to be inserted into the RR, which applies only to a limited set of countries, allowing gateway links for High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) in their territories, as part of the allocation to the fixed service in the 6440-6520 MHz and 6560-6640 MHz bands, subject to explicit agreement of neighbouring countries with territories within 1000 km of the borders of countries listed in the new footnote. A new resolution is associated with this footnote, establishing the operational requirements and emission limits to protect the services that can operate in the bands listed above (agenda item 1.20).
Even as the proceedings of the WRC-12 draw to a close, there remain outstanding issues on the agenda. These include discussions on the following items:
- Part of item 1.2, especially the convergence of terrestrial services (fixed and mobile except aeronautical mobile) - it has not yet been possible to reach a single position, and there are several administrations and regional organizations which advocate maintaining current practice, while Europe and some administrations of region 2 seek to move forward with amendments to fixed service, fixed station and mobile station definitions. Also, there was a lack of consensus on the general principles for the allocation of spectrum bands pursuant to article 5 of the RR. In fact, some organizations advocate revision of Recommendation 34 (Principles for the allocation of frequency bands), in the face of clear opposition from other regional organizations;
- Items 1.3 (Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles), 1.4 (aeronautical mobile (R) service (AM(R)S)) and 1.21 (radiolocation) - the subject of complex and joint negotiations, where the positions of Europe, the United States of America (USA) and Iran in respect of the 5 GHz and 15 GHz bands remain far apart;
- Item 1.17 ( 790-862 MHz band) - took up numerous work sessions during the third meeting of the conference. Even while participants were close to concluding definitions of the methodology to be followed in bilateral/multilateral coordinations by neighbouring administrations with broadcasting and/or aeronautical radionavigation and/or mobile in the 790-862 MHz band (Resolution 224 (WRC-07) and revision of Resolution 749 (WRC-07 )), there were detailed discussion on footnotes 5316, 5.316A and 5.316B, in light of proposals by some countries to extend the allocation to the mobile service below 790 MHz;
- Part of item 1.19, in particular Cognitive Radio Systems (CRS) - there remains a lack of consensus, and, seeking a compromise solution, discussions focused on the drafting of a Recommendation instead of a WRC Resolution covering the deployment and use of CRS;
- Item 7 (procedural amendments to the RR) - modification of the provisions of RR with respect to advance publication, coordination, notification and recording procedures pertaining to satellite networks, such as bringing into use, and the coordination arc. This has generated difficult discussions, given the direct implications with regard to articles 9 and 11 and Appendices 30, 30A and 30B (Plans for the broadcasting satellite service and the fixed satellite service) of the RR.
The various groups and subgroups of the technical committees (COM 4, COM 5 and COM 6) concluded their activity during the third week of the conference, while it is expected that discussion of outstanding issues will conclude in the plenary sessions during the fourth and final week of WRC-12.
Proceedings are due to conclude on 17 February 2012.
Consult:
- World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12) https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1041099
