Brussels hosted last 5 June the 46th meeting of the RSPG, chaired by Jonas Wessel of Sweden, with Portugal represented by João Miguel Coelho and Luísa Mendes of ANACOM. The European Commission (EC) was also present.
The following stand out among the issues discussed:
1. EC initiatives
Beyond the usual report on Commission activities associated to spectrum policy, additional information was provided about the situation of the EC’s proposal for a directive establishing an Electronic Communications Code;
2. Initiatives of the chair
Information was supplied about the workshop held in Stockholm last 15 May, along with information about contacts with the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) regarding RSPG-BEREC cooperation.
3. RSPG WG EECC1
E. Ulelay (Hungary), D. Chauveau (France) and S. Nübel (Germany) presented the progress report of the working group set up at the beginning of the year with the aim of identifying new tasks the RSPG should undertake and to propose the actions needed to accomplish them (e.g. changes to the rules of procedure and the decision establishing the RSPG, identification of new items to include in the group’s working programme and adjustment of the peer review (PR) to the rules envisaged in the Code);
4. RSPG working group on European Spectrum Strategy
This new working group established to consider a European spectrum strategy presented the respective progress report. The RSPG noted the approach being developed, specifically the working group’s intention to identify ways for interested parties to get involved;
5. RSPG WG 5G
The rapporteurs B. Andersson (Sweden) and Tassos Lyratzis (Greece) presented the working group’s progress report. The EC also gave a presentation on the European 5G Observatory;
6. RSPG WG WRC-19
The progress report of the working group responsible for matters involving the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) was presented along with the draft opinion on WRC-19.
This meeting also approved the publication for public consultation of the draft opinion to be preferably finished on 15 July to ensure that the latest CEPT developments (CEPT positions and studies) can be fully reflected in the final opinion, which should be completed this coming October. The aim is to make clear the positions the European Union (EU) member states will defend before the second WRC-19 preparatory meeting (CPM19-2) in February 2019.
The RSPG also agreed that the working group should continue to work on the supplementary opinion on EU coordination during WRC-19;
7. RSPG good offices
The working group’s progress report was presented along with results of the fifth questionnaire on the 700 MHz band. The working group will resend the questionnaire to update the current situation in the various member states. Responses should be sent before 7 May 2018, given that the roadmap has to be published by 30 June 2018.
The working group has made progress in terms of cross-border coordination of the 700 MHz band in the EU.
A preliminary report was also presented on lessons learned with the work carried out at good offices level in the 700 MHz band (RSPG18-027);
8. RSPG WG Peer Review and cooperation with member states on authorisations and awards
The progress report of the working group on Peer Review, for the spectrum allocation processes in the various member states, was presented.
The RSPG thanked Sweden for organising the 16 May workshop on the Swedish 700 MHz auction.
The next RSPG meeting will be held in Brussels this coming 3 October.
Three meetings are scheduled for 2019: 30 January (RSPG#48), 12 June (RSPG#49) and 9 October (RSPG#50).
