Brussels hosted last 16 March the 55th meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC).
The minutes of the 54th RSC meeting were approved, with the following highlights:
1) Implementation of European legislation on spectrum
The European Commission (EC) services presented a document setting out the current implementation status of decisions on spectrum. According to the EC, the summary is based on information supplied by the United States of America via different means, including responses to RSC questionnaires and official notifications sent to the General Secretariat and/or the Directorate General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology.
In the context of good cooperation between the EC and the member states with respect to the interchange of necessary information for the purpose of verifying application of European Union law in spectrum matters, the member states should submit all necessary updates by the end of April 2016.
2) 700 MHz band
The EC presented a revised version of the EC draft decision on harmonised use of the 700 MHz band for wireless broadband and for flexible national use of parts of the 700 MHz band (duplex gap and guard bands) for audio communications for programme making and special events (PMSE), public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) and machine-to-machine (M2M), which was accompanied by an explanatory note. The proposed measure, which provides an opportunity for almost comprehensive harmonisation of spectrum for wireless broadband, was largely supported.
The most debated subject concerned the inclusion of national options in the duplex gap and in the guard bands of 700 MHz for PPDR, PMSE and M2M.
Following a number of editorial changes, the EC presented a final draft revision requesting of the RSC the formal procedure for this opinion in accordance with the regulation procedure. The RSC issued an opinion in favour of the Commission’s draft decision by qualified majority.
Portugal voted in favour of the draft decision, though making a written declaration.
3) Licensed Shared Access (LSA)
The Italian regulator (AGCOM - Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni) and the EC gave a presentation on the LSA trial under way in the 2300-2400 MHz band, whose aim is to test spectrum sharing with a focus on the 2.3-2.4 GHz band and explore possible applicability of the LSA approach to other frequency bands. The technical feasibility of sharing mobile networks with incumbent services (in this case, fixed connections, video cameras and telemetry) was successfully demonstrated, albeit with some uncertainties regarding market interest, specifically on the part of mobile network operators vis-à-vis the LSA approach.
Agreement was reached to gather the most significant data and the EC invited the interested member states to form an information group, in which AGCOM would supply more information about trials and share experiences.
The next RSC meeting will be held on 6-7 July 2016.
