Annexes to COM(2007)371 - The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07) - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2007)371 - The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07). |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2007)371  |
| date | July 2, 2007 |
PROTECTION OF EXISTING MOBILE SPECTRUM
4.3.
Various satellite systems are being launched by countries outside Europe using parts of the band 2500 - 2690 MHz. In the light of the use of this spectrum in Europe in the near future for third-generation mobile networks, Europe will need to ensure its interests are safeguarded by an adequate protection and compatibility with satellite systems.
Community policy objectives
It is economically important for the Community that the mobile industry continues having
access to sufficient radio spectrum resources. Therefore:
- Part of the 3.4 to 4.2 GHz band should be made available for mobile services on a nonexclusive basis in Europe. Adequate solutions should be implemented for current satellite users in this band.
- An upgrade in the mobile service's status in the UHF band in Europe would increase flexibility and remove a potential constraint to the future optimal organisation of this band.
- Every effort should be made to minimise the risks of interference to IMT-2000 networks operating in the EU in the 2.5-2.69 GHz band from satellite services.
5. OTHER PRIORITY ISSUES
5.1. SUPPORT FOR SCIENTIFIC USES OF SPECTRUM
The scientific use of radio spectrum has a considerable societal and economic value and needs to be supported15. Scientific uses of the spectrum include Earth Exploration satellites (EESS), meteorological satellites and space research systems, which support EU policies in the areas of environment, space, and RTD. The observation of natural or man-made physical phenomena can often only be undertaken in specific frequencies. The challenge is to safeguard the effective operation of scientific services without placing disproportionate constraints on other important sectors.
Community policy objectives
EESS is an essential part of the GMES initiative, the European contribution to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), important for the Community's Environment policy. Its continued protection from interference, as well as duly justified additional spectrum allocations for scientific services, are to be supported.
5.2. REORGANISATION OF HF BANDS
High-frequency (HF) or "short-wave" spectrum bands which are essential to transmit radio signals over long distances have come under pressure from different users, in particular radio broadcasting, aeronautical, military and maritime mobile services. The in-depth consideration of this band taking place at WRC-07 may potentially impact relevant EU audiovisual and transport policies.
15
See the RSPG Report and Opinion on Scientific Use of Spectrum of 25 October 2006.
Short-wave broadcast radio is poised to embrace the benefits of digital technology and should be supported by sufficient spectrum capacity. New broadcasting services based on digital technologies such as DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) technology offer the prospects of reviving long-distance radio and contribute to the dissemination of European culture and perspectives on the global scene. Further HF spectrum for broadcasting will assist the successful uptake of digital radio broadcasting technologies.
Key HF maritime services are also gradually switching over to digital transmission. WRC-07 should address the spectrum needs of this sector in a timely manner while ensuring appropriate continuity with critical analogue services.
Community policy objectives
The switchover from analogue to digital technology of short-wave radio broadcasting and of maritime services should be assisted by accommodating their spectrum requirements in the review of the HF band due at WRC-07.
5.3. FUTURE SPECTRUM NEEDS FOR AVIATION
The creation of a Single European Sky in the EU has the objective to optimise air traffic management and aviation safety, in order to satisfy all users of the airspace, this being a common asset to be managed collectively regardless of national borders. The Community policy interests related to aviation include creating additional flight capacity and increasing the efficiency for air traffic management (ATM). To achieve these objectives, there is a need for co-ordinated introduction of new and more spectrum-efficient technologies. The unavoidable situation of parallel operation of old and new aeronautical systems is recognised, but it should be kept to the minimum. Spectrum already allocated for aviation should also be used as efficiently as possible, consistent with safety considerations.
Community policy objectives
Sufficient spectrum for aeronautical telemetry and air-to-ground voice and data communications would serve the objectives of the Single European Sky, keeping in mind the target of minimising the duration of parallel use of radio spectrum by old and new systems.
5.4. SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
WRC-07 is to review some of the ITU rules pertaining to satellite systems. Satellite communications are recognised as an integral part of the Information Society and as one of the main pillars of the EU's space policy. Satellites are an important alternative platform for electronic communication services, providing capabilities for pan-European coverage of new services, including broadband data, thus helping bridge any 'digital divide' developing in the rural and remote areas of Europe.
Community policy objectives
While the ITU principles of equitable access to spectrum and orbital resources are fundamental, it should be ensured that the global regulatory framework is supportive of concrete industrial initiatives to develop and operate viable satellite communication systems. Current satellite filing procedures ought to be simplified while existing satellite systems should be safeguarded within the satellite planning provisions in the ITU RR.
6. MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE GLOBAL SPECTRUM REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Commission has recently expressed its position16 that spectrum ought to be regulated more flexibly, in line with an earlier RSPG Opinion on this subject17.
WRC-07 provides an important opportunity to debate at the global level the strategic direction for the future of spectrum management, by considering the results of studies carried out by ITU on the effectiveness, appropriateness and impact of the RR with respect to technology evolution, with a view to identify options for improvements. An agenda item at WRC-11 would be an appropriate focus for concrete progress on this issue.
Community policy objectives
Community interests would be best served by a global framework which supports the removal of undue regulatory restrictions to the use of the radio spectrum, thereby enhancing its flexible and efficient use and introducing more competition between different radio infrastructures.
7. AGENDA FOR THE NEXT CONFERENCE (WRC-11)
Each World Radiocommunication Conference establishes the agenda for the next conference. It is in the interest of the Community to support initiatives leading to future WRC conferences which relate directly to particular Eu policy requirements.
The Commission has already identified the need for more flexibility in the global spectrum regulatory framework to be explicitly addressed by the WRC-11 conference (see section 6). In this context, the possibility of upgrading the status of the fixed service in the 470-862 MHz band should be on the agenda of WRC-1118.
Most WRC decisions have an impact and applicability over a long time frame (often 10 to 20 years after the conference). It is therefore important to ensure that agendas are sufficiently "future-proofed" to be able to address the spectrum requirements of important policies and trends. EU policies which are relevant in this context and which are likely to increase in importance over this period include:
• Sustainable development and climate change: particular attention should be given to efforts undertaken to identify the spectrum requirements for future applications in this area and to ensure that they are anchored in a timely manner in the ITU process.
• pan-European networks and services, in transport and in electronic communications: for instance, additional spectrum requirements for the next-generation European Air Traffic Management system19 may be required, and the WRC-11 agenda ought to be able to cater for this eventuality, as well as for unmanned aerial vehicles and aeronautical satellite communications.
16
17
18
19
See COM(2007) 50.
RSPG Opinion on WAPECS of 23 November 2005.
Without pre-empting a primary allocation to the mobile service in this band being granted by WRC-07 in Region 1.
See COM(2007) 103.
• Overcoming "digital divides”, in particular for rural areas, for the elderly, the disabled and for other disadvantaged communities. Additional consideration about spectrum for satellite communications and for devices supporting medical and assistive technologies would be required .
In preparation of WRC-11, the Commission will work with all relevant stakeholders to identify the specific spectrum needs of such policy areas to be supported at the conference.
Community policy objectives
The next WRC agenda in 2011 should be flexible enough to address any spectrum needs arising from important Community policies, such as the Single European Sky and Sustainable Development. Further progress on general spectrum flexibility would also require a specific agenda item on this topic.
8. CONCLUSION
The European Parliament and the Council are called to endorse the Community objectives identified in this Communication working towards the successful implementation of relevant Community policies, and in particular actions by Member States at the conference, by:
• Accommodating the spectrum demands of mobile systems
- Identifying the 3.4 to 3.8 GHz frequency band for this purpose on an non-exclusive basis;
- Upgrading the regulatory status of the mobile service in the UHF band;
- Protecting the 2.6 GHz band for terrestrial third-generation mobile use;
• Ensuring the effective protection of Earth Exploration and other scientific services from harmful interference;
• Satisfying the necessary spectrum requirements for digital radio broadcasting and for maritime services in the HF band;
• Enhancing the regulatory framework to support genuine satellite systems;
• Providing sufficient spectrum for aeronautical telemetry and air-to-ground voice and data communications;
• Preparing actions supportive of Community policies in view of the next WRC Conference due in 2011.
Following WRC-07, the Commission will report on the results of the conference with regards to Community policies and on the preparation of the next conference due to take place in 2011. It will also begin without delay preparations to translate relevant results of the WRC-07 conference in appropriate European Community measures.
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