Project team PT4 of the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) met for the 12th time last 2-4 April in Amsterdam. At the meeting the activity of CPG PT4 focused on analysing a number of European common proposals (ECPs).
During the meeting CPG PT4 approved, after making certain changes, the draft ECPs for Item 1.13 - Revision of the allocations to all radiocommunication services operating in the frequency bands between 4 MHz and 10 MHz. The draft ECP identifies 350 kHz of additional spectrum for broadcasting services, on the following terms:
- 4550-4650 kHz frequency band - Considers the allocation of 100 kHz of additional spectrum for primary broadcasting service, on a sharing basis with fixed and mobile services, the latter with secondary status;
- 5060-5110 kHz frequency band - Considers the allocation of 50 kHz of additional spectrum for primary broadcasting service, on a sharing basis with fixed and mobile services, the latter with secondary status;
- 5790-5900 kHz frequency band - Considers the exclusive allocation of 110 kHz of additional spectrum for broadcasting service; this band is currently allocated to fixed and mobile services, so it will be necessary to establish an access mechanism identical to the one set out in Resolution 21 (WARC-92); in conformity, the production of a new Resolution ZZ has been proposed;
- 9350-9400 kHz frequency band - Considers the exclusive allocation of 50 kHz of additional spectrum for broadcasting service; this band is currently allocated to fixed and mobile services, so it will thus be necessary to establish an access mechanism identical to the one set out in Resolution 21 (WARC-92); in conformity, the production of a new Resolution ZZ has been proposed;
- 9900-9940 kHz frequency band - Considers the exclusive allocation of 40 kHz of additional spectrum for broadcasting service; this band is currently allocated to fixed and mobile services, so it will be necessary to establish an access mechanism identical to the one set out in Resolution 21 (WARC-92).
The implementation of this proposal will take place after 25 October 2015.
Regarding the proposed new Resolution ZZ, it establishes the following:
- A transition period to run between the date the Final Acts of the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) take force and 25 October 2015;
- That the Administrations should not file any new frequency assignments for fixed service and mobile service stations in the reallocated bands;
- That the frequency assignments filed after the date the WRC-07 Final Acts take force should be revised by the Radiocommunication Department (BR) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) per the date 25 October 2015.
A new Recommendation YYY has also been proposed, advising the Administrations to take the necessary steps to discourage broadcasting emissions in frequency bands not allocated to broadcasting service in decametric bands (HFBC) between 4 MHz and 10 MHz.
On the other hand, with a view to compensating for spectrum loss by the fixed and mobile services, the following is proposed:
I) That the following frequency bands, currently allocated to fixed service and/or mobile service, be reallocated on a sharing basis for both services with primary status:
- 5110-5250 kHz
- 5730-5790 kHz
- 9040-9350 kHz
- 9940-9995 kHz
II) The allocation of 567.5 kHz of compensation spectrum to the fixed and mobile services, on a sharing basis with mobile maritime service, in unplanned Appendix 17 bands. In this regard, the following frequency bands were identified, currently used by coastal station to establish communications (especially in Morse telegraphy, emission class A1A and A1B and in NBDP telegraphy):
- 4221-4351 kHz (130 kHz)
- 6332.5-6.501 kHz (168.5 kHz)
- 8438-8707 kHz (269 kHz)
III) The adoption of another Resolution WWW, by which the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is asked to go ahead with studies on the experience gained in the use and occupation of the HF bands allocated for 'collective use' to fixed and mobile services by the WRC-03 and WRC-07 Conferences, and whose results should be included in the BR Director's Report to be submitted for the consideration of WRC-11.
Agreement was also reached to propose the addition of a new provision to include in article 5 of the Radio Regulation (RR), so as to enable secondary use of the 5260-5410 kHz frequency band by amateur service.
The date of this proposal?s implementation should coincide with the date the WRC-07 Final Acts take force.
With respect to the modification of Appendix 17, a decision was made to go ahead with the separate development of a draft ECP, with a view to using the new digital technologies in mobile maritime service (MMS). In this regard, CPG/PT4 approved a draft ECP that proposes:
- The modification of part A of Appendix 17, in order to reduce the number of frequencies (channels) currently used for Morse telegraphy and NBDP telegraphy, so as to free spectrum for data transmission via the use of new digital technology systems in MMS;
- The modification of part B of Appendix 17 along the same lines as proposed for part A. The elimination of sections iv and v on frequencies used for Morse telegraphy is likewise sought;
- The modification of section I of part B of Appendix 17 by adding a note meant to allow the Administrations to notify of other MMS stations used to transmit data, besides the stations operating in telephony;
- The inclusion of a provision in article 5 of the RR with a view to ensuring that the 4221-4351 kHz, 6332-6501 kHz and 8438-8707 kHz frequency bands can also be used by fixed and mobile services, except with respect to aeronautic mobile service (R).
The said draft ECPs will be submitted to the CPG's consideration at its next meeting. As for the CEPT Brief, the previous version has been changed to conform to the proposed ECPs approved by CPG PT4.
Regarding item 1.14 - revision of the requirements and operating procedures of the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS), CPG/PT4 approved the draft ECP on modifying the requirements and operating procedures applicable to the GMDSS system. Note, however, that some changes to introduce in that draft were approved:
- Article 5 - Frequency allocation: the revocation of provision 5.83 on the 500 kHz frequency (distress and call to Morse telegraphy frequency) was proposed. In compensation, a new provision was approved with a view to safeguarding use of the 495-505 kHz band by mobile maritime service, particularly NBDP telegraph emissions in the 490 kHz (national) and 518 kHz (international) frequencies of the NAVTEX system;
- Article 32 - GMDSS System (operating procedures): some Administrations had reservations about the operating procedures proposed in the two new provisions 32.13 A and 32.13 B (ship-to-ship distress alerts). In these circumstances, a decision was made to submit the current version of this draft ECP to the CPG's consideration, while calling attention to the existing differences vis-à-vis application of the operating procedures set out in provisions 32.13 A and 32.13 B. In an attempt to resolve the issue, Germany and Sweden were charged with presenting at the next CPG PT4 meeting a document on the procedures to be considered in such cases (ship-to-ship distress alerts).
This meeting also saw approval of a proposed modification of Appendix 18 (mobile maritime service - VHF frequency plan), with a view to not only facilitating the introduction of new technologies in MMS but also to prevent spectrum congestion situations, enabling the use of intercalary frequency planning with a 12.5 kHz interval between channels and the deployment of certain duplex channels in simplex channels to one frequency. The Appendix 18 revision also considers a proposed change to footnotes m) and o), to replace the phrase ''subject to prior agreement between interested and affected Administrations'' with ''subject to co-ordination with affected Administrations'', which is deemed more appropriate. The said draft ECP will be submitted to the CPG's consideration at its next meeting, to be held on 16-20 April 2007 in Istanbul.
Another of the items considered was 1.16, on the allocation of Mobile Maritime Service Identities (MMSI) to other equipment besides mobile equipment installed on board vessels. CPG PT4 proceeded to update the CEPT Brief, taking into account the draft ECP approved by the team, which was subject to a number of specific modifications. These changes were meant to revise article 19 (station identification) in order to accommodate new MMSI formats to allocate to aircraft involved in search and rescue (SAR) operations or to identify navigational radio-aids, including buoys located on land, islands or at sea. This draft ECP will be submitted to the CPG's consideration at its next meeting.
The next CPG PT4 meeting will be held in the French city of Brest from 30 May to 1 June 2007.
