Brussels hosted last 6-7 July the 56th meeting of the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC).
1. Implementation of community spectrum legislation
The European Commission (EC) presented a document with an updated overview of the current situation regarding implementation of decisions on spectrum, including additional information supplied by member states during follow-up of the 55th RSC meeting.
This document does not imply any legal appraisal, whereby the EC underscores the importance of sending official notifications.
With respect to Implementing Decision 2013/195/EU on the spectrum inventory, the EC recalled the member states’ obligation to gather and supply available data on all frequency bands between 400 MHz and 6 GHz by 31 December 2015.
The EC also presented a questionnaire on implementation of Implementing Decisions 2014/276 EU and 2015/750/EU. The former amends Decision 2008/411/EC on the 3.4-3.8 GHz frequency band, while the latter concerns the 1452-1492 MHz frequency band. The member states must send in their contributions by this coming 1 September.
2. Mobile communications on aircraft (MCA)
The EC presented a document on the approach to revising the MCA Decision (2008/294/EC amended by Decision 2013/654/EU) in light of preliminary results of draft Report no. 63 of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), which is undergoing public consultation. The final version of this CEPT report is expected by December 2016, whereby no draft decision is put forward during this phase.
If the preliminary results of this CEPT Report are confirmed, the 1 January 2017 date indicated in article 2 of Decision 2013/654/EU will not be necessary.
“The values for the band 2570-2690 MHz band set in table 3 of the Annex to this Decision shall apply from 1 January 2017”.
3. Mobile communications on vessels (MCV)
The EC services presented a draft implementing decision to amend Decision 2010/166/EU on harmonised conditions for radio spectrum use in MCV. An explanatory document provided the grounds for this draft decision; the discussion focused on the technical annexes including the main elements of CEPT Report no. 62.
This issue is broadly accepted by the member states, so only a few minor adjustments to the text will be necessary to adjust the decision’s scope in light of technological developments.
4. Low-power short-range devices (SRD)
The EC acknowledged the work carried out by CEPT in the 6th update of the SRD Decision. It nevertheless called attention to the need to make clear the real added value for industry stakeholders of some recommendations contained in the report, especially for certain bands and categories, which seem to counter the policy principle of avoiding frequency designations for specific applications.
The EC argued that any amendment of the SRD Decision now in force could cause uncertainty for industry, so proposed changes and annotations should be duly justified in terms of the added value they bring.
The EC will submit to the RSC and CEPT several specific questions for discussion and possible clarification. When the feedback from the RSC and CEPT is received (by the set date of 31 July 2016) the EC will issue an explanatory memorandum along with a draft text of the decision.
5. 2.3-2.4 GHz band
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented preliminary results of the ongoing study on co-existence between 2.3 GHz transmission diversity/long-term evolution and 2.4 GHz WiFi. The JRC indicated that the final version of the study’s part on WiFi will be presented at the next RSC meeting (October 2016), with extension of the study on use of assistive listening devices using Bluetooth, which will be ready in December 2016.
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and CEPT acknowledged the value of the ongoing study and urged the EC and JRC to present the results as soon as possible. Some member states manifested concern about the process and queried how the JRC results would be treated in light of a possible EC decision on the 2.3-2.4 GHz band. The EC asked CEPT and the member states to reflect on preliminary results of the JRC study and to contribute to the next RSC meeting. The member states were also asked to update information on licensed shared access pilot tests at the next meeting.
Based on the discussion, the EC also proposed that the status of services such as Wi-Fi, which has high economic and social value despite having a low protection level, be considered by the RSPG during the next discussions on the internet of things and 5G.
6. 2.7-2.9 GHz band
CEPT Report no. 61 was presented, concerning harmonised video compatibility and sharing conditions for programme making and special events (PMSE) in the 2.7-2.9 GHz frequency band, taking into account radar usage. This report was approved by the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) on 17 June 2016.
The EC presented a document providing an overview of current/planned use of the 2.7-2.9 GHz frequency band, based on contributions submitted by member states.
Some member states stressed the need for a case-by-case approach when individual licences are issued for use of video PMSE applications.
The conclusion broadly shared by the member states is that a high level of flexibility will be needed, due to technical parameters that must be considered and major differences in member states that limit geographic areas where video PMSE applications can be used.
Bearing in mind the conclusions of CEPT Report 61, the EC services are interested in the member states’ points of view, especially which information from the report can supply a basis for an implementing decision and whether harmonisation of the coordination rules or more transparency for stakeholders on national opportunities and for the access procedure could facilitate shared use between video PMSE and radars operating in the 2.7-2.9 GHz band. To that end, the member states must respond to the questions raised in document RSCOM16-26 by 19 August.
The next RSC meeting will be held on 5-6 October 2016 in Brussels.
