Project team PT4 of the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) met for the fifth time on 11-12 May, in Piraeus, Greece.
PT4 is responsible for preparing European positions on agenda items of the ITU?s 2007 World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC07) related to maritime mobile services, amateur service and also radiocommunications services operating in the frequency bands between 4 MHz and 10 MHz.
The following Conference agenda items were considered at this meeting.
Regarding item 1.13 - revision of the allocations to all radiocommunications services operating in the frequency bands between 4 MHz and 10 MHz - the CEPT Brief was updated; its new version considers the following proposals:
- The allocation of additional bands for short wave broadcasting service (HFBC), as per Resolution 544 (WRC03), which should take into account the spectrum needs of other affected services that also use the frequency range between 4 and 10 MHz;
- Frequency band sharing between fixed, land mobile and broadcasting services;
- The sharing of certain Appendix 17 frequency bands between the fixed, land mobile and maritime mobile services, in compliance with Resolution 351 (WRC03);
- The sharing of some frequency bands between fixed, land mobile and maritime mobile (generic allocation) services with recourse to dynamic frequency selection, possible via the application of digital technology and the adoption of adjustable control techniques. These measures should take into account the application of new procedures for frequency assignment, along with the current provisions set out in the Radio Regulation;
- The allocation of spectrum to amateur service in the frequency range between 4 and 10 MHz. This solution may not consider the allocation of spectrum in 7 MHz.
Regarding item 1.14 - revision of the operational procedures and requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System - the CEPT Brief was updated; the new version considers:
- Suppression of Appendix 13 of the Radio Regulation, regarding the non-GMDSS distress and safety system.
However, bearing in mind the need to keep some Appendix 13 procedures, two methodologies were proposed: transferring the procedures for the non-GMDSS system to chapter VII of the Radio Regulation or including these procedures in a new resolution. Given the failure of CPG PT4 to agree on one of the proposals, the two methods will be included in the CPM (Conference Preparatory Group of the ITU) report;
- Revision or suppression of resolution 331 concerning procedures for transition to the GMDSS system;
- Revision of Appendix 16 with a view to reducing the number of documents that must compulsorily be at shipboard stations;
- Revision of Appendix 18 (VHF Frequency Plan for MMS) with a view to enabling the use of:
- duplex channels as simplex channels,
- new intercalary planning (spacing between 12.5 kHz channels),
- frequency bands meant for the introduction of new technologies, and
- two new AIS channels.
Regarding item 1.15 - secondary allocation of the 135.7-137.8 kHz frequency band to amateur service - the CEPT Brief was likewise updated. CEPT defends the secondary allocation of the 135.7-137.8 kHz frequency band to amateur service. To that end, it is preparing a draft European common position (ECP).
Lastly, and with respect to item 1.16 - allocation of Maritime Mobile Service identities (MMSI) to other equipment that is not mobile equipment installed aboard vessels - the respective CEPT Brief was also subject to updating, with the new version considering the following proposals:
- Revision of Article 19 (station identification) to accommodate:
- new MMSI formats to allocate to aircraft involved in search and rescue (SAR) operations;
- new MMSI formats that enable identification of navigational radio-aids, including maritime buoys located on land, on islands or at sea;
- The registration of new MMSI formats to allocate to aircraft involved in search and rescue (SAR) operations and to radio-aids in the Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS);
- Revision of recommendation ITU-R M.585-3 with respect to the allocation of new MMSI formats for aircraft involved in SAR operations and for navigational radio-aids.
The next PT4 meeting will be held in Rome on 6-7 September.
